Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift criticized Blur frontman Damon Albarn for suggesting he shouldn’t write his own songs. Swift tweeted in reaction to Albarn’s interview with the Los Angeles Times, where she compared her to Billie Eilish. Albarn eventually apologized to him, after several of his aides came out publicly in his favour.
Swift tweeted that she was a fan of Albarn until her comment. “I’ve written ALL my own songs. Your warmth is completely wrong and very damaging. You don’t have to like my songs, but it’s really hard trying to discredit my writing. WOW,” he wrote, cheekily adding, “PS I’m writing this tweet alone in case you were wondering.
Albarn replied, “I totally agree with you. I had a songwriting conversation and sadly it boiled down to a clickbait. I apologize selflessly and unconditionally. The last thing I want to do is discredit your writing. I hope you understand. – Damon. ”
In an interview with the LA Times, Albarn was asked if he had an opinion on Swift, who interviewers described in their question as a “great songwriter.” Albarn replied, “He doesn’t write his own songs.”
When the interviewer declined, saying Swift writes her own songs and sometimes collaborates with others, Albarn added, “That doesn’t count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different from co-writing. I don’t hate anyone, I’m just saying there’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-wrote. Not that the results 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 there. I guess I’m a traditionalist in that sense. Particularly interesting songwriters are Billie Eilish and her sister. I’m more interested in that than Taylor Swift. It’s just darker – less optimistic. Much smaller and original. I thought he was amazing.
You don’t know why you? Damonalbarn will try to discredit Taylor’s brilliant songwriting, but as someone who’s made records around her…your statement couldn’t be further from the truth…you obviously know absolutely nothing about her writing process and job.
–Aaron Dessner (araaron_dessner) January 24, 2022
Following his comments, many Swift aides spoke out in support. “I’ve never met Damon Albarn and he’s never been to my studio, but he seems to know more about all the songs Taylor writes and performs than us,” his Folklore co-writer tweeted on Monday. , Jack Antonoff.
“I don’t know why you @Damonalbarn would try to discredit Taylor’s brilliant songwriting, but as someone who’s made records around him…” National’s Aaron Dessner wrote: “Your statement could not couldn’t be further from the truth… you are clearly completely clueless about the writing and the working process itself.”
Swift is one of the world’s best-selling musical artists, having sold over 200 million records worldwide. Albarn was one of the pioneers of the Britpop movement, along with Oasis.
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