In a new interview to Los Angeles Times, ‘Blur’ lead singer Damon Albarn responded to a question about modern musicians, saying he doesn’t like Taylor Swift because she co-writes her songs, which is not the same as writing your own music.
After the interviewer probed on saying she does write most of her songs and co-writes some, he responded, “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”
Albarn continued his answer by mentioning he prefers Billie Eilish’s songwriting, who also co-writes with her brother Finneas, “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.”
Taylor Swift hit back at the comments, expressing her disappointment towards an artist she’s looked up to discrediting her work like that in a tweet, “@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.”
“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. herb,” wrote Taylor Swift’s longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff.
Albarn seemed to find the perfectly stereotypical excuse related to media and journalists for his comments, writing back to Taylor Swift under her response on Twitter, “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” Swifties, what fans of Taylor Swift are called, have all been firing back at Albarn since the interview aired and even after his attempts at an apology as they believe quoting his direct words during an interview cannot be considered clickbait.
