He may be a seasoned musician, but Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and co-founder of Gorillaz, made a beginner error by daring to criticize Taylor Swift.
If you ask Damon Albarn to sit down for an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he’s ready to talk about everything from his new solo album to his recent citizenship as an Icelandic citizen, to the shambles of English politics and to the Beatles.
Albarn began the discussion by making a bold claim: Swift does not create her own songs.
Because most musicians have focused too much on “sound and attitude” rather than “lyrics of substance,” according to the 53-year-old, few current songs will remain around for the long haul.
Using 11-time Grammy winner Swift as an example of someone who isn’t solely dependent on vibes to produce successful recordings, Wood claims that while Albarn’s music may not be Swift’s taste, she is an “excellent songwriter.”
Ahead of his show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Damon Albarn discusses his dual citizenship, the impending 25th anniversary of Blur’s self-titled 1997 LP and the legacy of the band’s biggest American hit, “Song 2.” https://t.co/4Obt2Fjpoi
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 24, 2022
Albarn said that he wasn’t the only one who disagreed.“She doesn’t write her own songs,” he responded. It was his response that made me realize he wasn’t wrong. Wood pushed back, pointing out that Swift has co-writing credits on all of her songs, having just won the Songwriter Icon Award from the National Music Publishers’ Association earlier this summer.
“That doesn’t count,” Albarn curtly countered. “I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different from 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. That doesn’t mean that the outcome can’t be really great.”
“And some of the greatest singers,” he continued. “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.”
Later, Albarn looked satisfied with his choice of words—until Swift learned of the Q&A’s publication, which took place late Sunday night.
“I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this,” Swift shot back on Monday, tagging Albarn in her tweet. “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.”
“PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering,” she added.
@DamonAlbarn 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. https://t.co/t6GyXBU2Jd
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 24, 2022
Swifties, Swift’s devoted fans, was energized by Swift’s comment and began spamming Albarn’s mentions frantically. Some of Swift’s biggest singles, including “Out of the Woods,” “Call It What You Want,” “London Boy,” and “Getaway Car” were co-written with musician Jack Antonoff.
“I’ve never met Damon Albarn and he’s never been to my studio but apparently he knows more than the rest of us about all those songs Taylor writes and brings in,” he wrote. “If you were there, cool…go off. If not maybe shut the fuck up?”
Suddenly Albarn altered his tune on Monday afternoon. Swift received a reply from him saying, “I totally agree with you,” he tweeted to Swift. “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.”
If you look at the text of the interview, it is impossible to understand how Albarn’s remarks were allegedly manipulated and turned into so-called “clickbait.”
@DamonAlbarn 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. https://t.co/t6GyXBU2Jd
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 24, 2022
Albarn said that Wood had taken remarks out of context, but Wood, a veteran LA Times writer whose past bylines include Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Spin, has yet to reply.)
Even though Swift had co-writing credentials, Albarn seemed to know precisely what he was saying when he went to great efforts to explain why he didn’t consider her a qualified songwriter. But when confronted with the criticism, he bowed to pressure, blaming his words on his interview and publication, casting the media as his adversary for his indiscretions.
Albarn’s claim that Swift doesn’t create her own songs is particularly bizarre, given that Speak Now, Swift’s third studio album, had the number-one singles “Mine,” “Dear John,” and “Enchanted.” (Martin Johnson was included as a co-writer for “If This Was a Movie” on the album’s deluxe edition.)
Despite the fact that most of Swift’s finest songs have been co-written by others, such as Max Martin, Antonoff, Karl Shellback, and Aaron Dessner, she is still considered one of the best composers in the business.
The viral video of Swift and Antonoff creating the bridge to “Getaway Car,” with Swift hastily piecing together the concluding lines in a flash of enthusiasm, is a must-see.
Swift recently re-recorded her first six studio albums in an effort to ensure that her old label Big Machine and Scooter Braun could no longer profit from her image and work, as if Albarn needed another reminder.
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