After it was suggested to him that Swift is an “excellent songwriter”, he claimed that she doesn’t write her own songs.
“That doesn’t count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing,” Albarn said. “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 continued: “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.”
Is this mansplaining? Or is this just someone being an absolute prick?
Also if I was Albarn I wouldn’t be inviting a songwriting comparison with anyone, let alone one of the best and most successful songwriters of the last 15 years. Assume he’s trying to get some attention for his latest project.
Not even being funny here but if there’s one fanbase you don’t want to piss off it’s Swifties. They hold a grudge and will make his life a real chore in one way or another for a long time. They are extremely, fully committed to righting any wrongs against her.
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.”
Also isn’t he literally praising the co-writing of Eilish there?
She obviously has a right to reply but by quote tweeting it and amplifying it - which she’s done multiple times with different people - she knows exactly what the fans are going to do. Some of them are extremely dedicated and it only takes one or two to be genuinely dangerous given the wrong situation.
Fanbases are often seen as a lovely little community but hers is easily the most mobilised and aggressive I’ve seen since maybe Michael Jackson in his heyday.
