We’ve seen it all from Taylor Swift over the years.
From her start as a pop country princess, to her transition into a pop superstar, to a slow transition back to more “folkish” sound with Folklore and Evermore, and now, re-recording “her versions” of previous albums so she can own her own masters… we’ve heard all kinds of sounds and styles from T-Swift.
It’s one of the reasons she’s arguably the biggest star in music.
Now, we can add yet another adventure in the life and times of Taylor Swift.
A recent interview from the Los Angeles Times surfaced with Blur and Gorillaz singer/songwriter, Damon Albarn, claiming that Swift doesn’t “write her own songs.”
A pretty hot take, considering that she gets songwriting credits on practically all of her songs… and has been doing so since she was like 15.
Albarn argued that a number of today’s artists rely on “sound and attitude” and not quality songwriting. When the interviewer pointed out that Taylor writes all her songs, he said:
“She doesn’t write her own songs.”
The interviewer responded:
“Of course she does. Co-writes some of them.”
And Damon went on a lengthy (and bizarre) explanation of why that doesn’t count:
“That doesn’t count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing. I’m not hating on anybody, I’m just saying there’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes.
Doesn’t mean that the outcome can’t be really great. And some of the greatest singers… I mean, Ella Fitzgerald never wrote a song in her life.
When I sing, I have to close my eyes and just be in there. I suppose I’m a traditionalist in that sense. A really interesting songwriter is Billie Eilish and her brother. I’m more attracted to that than to Taylor Swift.
It’s just darker — less endlessly upbeat. Way more minor and odd. I think she’s exceptional.”
Of course, Swift took exception to that comment and fired back on Twitter:
“I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs.
Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really fucked up to try and discredit my writing. WOW.”
However, according to Albarn, the interview was completely taken out of context for clickbait, and apologized to Swift for how it came across:
“I totally agree with you. I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologize unreservedly and unconditionally.
The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand. – Damon”
After reading the LA Times piece, it’s hard to see how Albarn was “taken out of context.” Unless the writer completely fabricated the whole interview, it appears that the man was pretty forward about his comments and intentions behind what he said.
I mean, feel free to explain to me how this got taken out of context for clickbait?
Singer/songwriter Aaron Dessner, who worked with Swift on Folklore and Evermore, stepped up to bat for her:
“Not sure why you D amon Albarn would try to discredit Taylor’s brilliant songwriting but as someone who has gotten to press record around her… your statements couldn’t be further from the truth.
You’re obviously completely clueless as to her actual writing and work process”
Anyways, here’s “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s version)” featuring the great Chris Stapleton… written by… Taylor Swift and Lori McKenna.
