British rocker Damon Albarn triggered a social media frenzy on Monday when quotes about Taylor Swift taken from his Los Angeles Times’ story went viral.
The paper quoted Albarn as saying that Swift doesn’t write her own songs – a statement to which she, her collaborators and her fans took great offense.
Now Albarn says the writer reduced his statements to “clickbait” and that he thought he was having a conversation about songwriting.
“I totally agree with you,” Albarn told Swift on Twitter. “I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand.”
I totally agree with you. i had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand. – Damon
— Damon Albarn (@Damonalbarn) January 24, 2022
The Los Angeles Times tweeted a screengrab of the interview transcription.
Read the full exchange between @mikaelwood and Damon Albarn ➡️ https://t.co/4Obt2Fjpoi pic.twitter.com/P42UbGhH73
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 24, 2022
He stated in the Los Angeles Times story:
“She doesn’t write her own songs.” When the story’s writer pointed out that Swift co-wrote many of her songs, Albarn said “that doesn’t count.”
“I know what co-writing is,” he said. “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.”
Swift was incensed and jumped to defend herself.
@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
According to Spin, Albarn addressed the drama Monday night when he performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Albarn told the audience: “I think I’m becoming old fashioned” and that they could read the story and judge for themselves.
Many of Swift’s collaborators and fellow songwriters jumped in to defend her.
Maren Morris said: “Writing songs with songwriters means you’re a songwriter.”
Writing songs with songwriters means you’re a songwriter. pic.twitter.com/208woAz8mt
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) January 24, 2022
Nathan Chapman, the songwriter and producer who worked with Swift on her country albums said: “YES. @taylorswift13 1,000,000% writes her own songs. And she’s one of the best songwriters of our time.”
YES. @taylorswift13 1,000,000% writes her own songs. And she’s one of the best songwriters of our time. https://t.co/HOA1O4d6Ci
— Nathan Chapman (@PainInTheArt) January 24, 2022
John Paul White said: “I can personally guarantee that she was a major part of the songwriting on Safe and Sound. She proved to be one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Selfless, generous, insightful, nuanced – with a CLEAR understanding of the assignment.”
I can personally guarantee that she was a major part of the songwriting on Safe and Sound. She proved to be one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Selfless, generous, insightful, nuanced – with a CLEAR understanding of the assignment. https://t.co/z5oIhzvccX
— John Paul White (@johnpaulwhite) January 24, 2022
Jack Antonoff, who has worked with Swift extensively in the studio said: “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.”
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.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) January 24, 2022