Damon Albarn has issued an “unreserved and unconditional” apology to Taylor Swift after she sparked outrage by claiming she doesn’t write her own songs.
The Blur frontman said discrediting the pop megastar’s songwriting was “the last thing I would want to do” during a social media exchange.
British musician Albarn, 53, said in an interview with the LA Times that Swift “doesn’t write her own songs” and is more drawn to Billie Eilish who is a “really interesting songwriter”.
I totally agree with you. I had a conversation about songwriting and unfortunately it boiled down to a clickbait. I apologize unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I want to do is discredit your composition. I hope you understand. – Damon
— Damon Albarn (@Damonalbarn) January 24, 2022
Multi-award winning singer Swift, who topped the charts in November with the release of Red, said her claims were “completely untrue” and her “hot take” was damaging.
Tweeting a response to Swift’s angry post, Albarn said, “I totally agree with you.
“I had a conversation about songwriting and unfortunately it boiled down to a clickbait.
“I apologize unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your line-up.
“I hope you understand. – Damon.
Prompted by a comment that Swift co-writes her songs during an interview with the LA Times, Albarn said, “Co-writing is very different from writing.
“I don’t hate anyone, I’m just saying there’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes.
“When I sing I have to close my eyes and be in there…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 optimistic. Much more minor and weird. I think she’s exceptional.
@DamonAlbarn I was such a fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL my own songs. Your hot plug is completely wrong and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really shitty trying to discredit my songwriting. WOW. https://t.co/t6GyXBU2Jd
—Taylorswift (@taylorswift13) January 24, 2022
Swift, 32, hit No. 1 last year with her release of Red (Taylor’s Version) which she re-recorded in a bid to reclaim her music.
Reacting to Albarn’s comments online, she said: ‘I was such a big fan of you until I saw this.
“I write ALL my own songs. Your hot take is completely wrong and SO damaging.
“You don’t have to like my songs, but it’s really crazy trying to discredit my songwriting. WOW.”
She added: “PS I wrote this tweet by myself in case you were wondering.”
