Damon Albarn apologises to Taylor Swift after saying she "doesn’t write her own songs"

On Sunday (23 January) a new interview with Damon Albarn for the Los Angeles Times was published, and in the piece, Albarn made some comments about Taylor Swift's songwriting. After the journalist named Swift as an "excellent songwriter", Albarn responded, "She doesn’t write her own songs."

When the journalist pointed out that she does write her own songs, and co-writes some of them, Albarn said, "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. 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."

Last night (24 January) Swift responded to Albarn's claims on Twitter, writing, "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."

In a second tweet, Swift added, "PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering."

PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 24, 2022

Albarn then responded to Swift with an apology, but claimed his conversation was "reduced to clickbait", "I totally agree with you," Albarn wrote. "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

Spin reports that Albarn brought up the situation last night (24 January) during his show at LA's Walt Disney Concert Hall. Prior to performing Blur's "Song 2", Albarn joked that the Los Angeles Times reporter Mikael Wood had asked him to play "Song 2" "before he cast me into the social media abyss."

Following Swift's tweet, frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff shared his thoughts, "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

Aaron Dessner also backed Swift, writing, "Not sure why you Damon Albarn would try to discredit Taylor's brilliant songwriting but as someone who has gotten to press record around her ...your statements couldn't be further from the truth...you're obviously completely clueless as to her actual writing and work process."

Not sure why you @Damonalbarn would try to discredit Taylor's brilliant songwriting but as someone who has gotten to press record around her ...your statements couldn't be further from the truth...you're obviously completely clueless as to her actual writing and work process

— Aaron Dessner (@aaron_dessner) January 24, 2022