Damon Albarn and taylor Swift Clash Over Songwriting Credits
Damon Albarn, the frontman of Blur and Gorillaz, sparked controversy after suggesting that Taylor Swift does not write her own songs. The comments, made during an interview with the Los Angeles Times, quickly drew a sharp rebuke from Swift herself.
Albarn initially stated, “She doesn’t write her own songs.” Journalist Mikael Wood interjected, “Of course she does. Co-writes some of them.” Albarn 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.”
He further elaborated, “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.”
Albarn contrasted Swift’s work with that of Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, stating, “A really captivating 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 extraordinary.”
Swift, who is officially credited with writing or co-writing all of her music, responded directly on X (formerly Twitter): @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 f***ed up to try and discredit my writing. WOW.
Albarn subsequently issued an apology,stating he “unreservedly and unconditionally” apologized for his comments and suggested that clickbait headlines had misrepresented his words.
Graham Norton, a friend of Swift’s and scheduled to attend her wedding to Travis Kelce, recently appeared in Swift’s music video for “Opalite” alongside other celebrities who have appeared on his show, including domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lewis Capaldi.