Last month, Damon Albarn caused quite the stir when he made some remarks about Taylor Swift‘s approach to songwriting that insinuated songs that were co-written didn’t “count”.
In an interview with the LA Times, the Blur and Gorillaz frontman said Swift “doesn’t write her own songs” after interviewer Mikael Wood called her an “excellent songwriter.” Wood corrected Albarn, noting that, yes, Swift often writes in collaboration with others, to which Albarn replied: “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.”
Swift responded to Albarn’s comments on Twitter, writing: “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.”
Albarn, for his part, apologised “unreservedly and unconditionally” to Swift for his comments. “I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait,” he responded on Twitter. “The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand.”
Now, Albarn’s old Britpop counterpart Liam Gallagher has weighed in, defending Swift. In a new interview with NME, Gallagher – whose latest single ‘Everything’s Electric’ was co-written with the Foo Fighters‘ Dave Grohl – was asked about the notion that collaborative songwriting is a lesser approach.
“Says who? All them fucking gorilla albums are co-writes aren’t they?” Gallagher responded, referencing Albarn’s animated virtual band. “I get it – Noel [Gallagher] bangs on about it as well: ‘I’m more important than you because I write my fucking songs.'”
Returning to Albarn’s comments last month, Gallagher continued: “Well, he won’t be saying that again in a hurry, though, will he? Did he not get ran out of fucking town by the Swifters? I think [Taylor’s] fucking cool, man. She does write her songs and I’m sure she’s co-wrote with people.”
Swift’s frequent collaborators Jack Antonoff and The National‘s Aaron Dessner were among others who have defended the singer following Albarn’s remarks. Antonoff labelled his comments “Trumpian”, while Dessner said Albarn was “obviously completely clueless as to [Swift’s] actual writing and work process.”
Gallagher’s new album, C’mon You Know, is set to arrive Friday, 27th May.
