The singer has been criticized for a problematic lyric on her “Tortured Poets Department” album — and she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to edit it.
You might want to grab a snack real quick as we dissect a lyric from the queen of the Swifties and much more in this week’s newsletter.
Taylor Swift recently dropped her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” and while Swifties are rejoicing, there was some controversy surrounding “I Hate It Here,” a song on the album’s deluxe edition. Its lyrics read: “My friends used to play a game where / We would pick a decade / We wished we could live in instead of this / I’d say the 1830s but without all the racists / And getting married off for the highest bid.”
Now, I get what Tay was aiming for with those lyrics, but let’s face it, they don’t quite hit the mark for great poetry. She could’ve gone for a more general “world without racism” vibe, but instead, she decided to name-drop a period in history when many Black people were enslaved and weren’t allowed to read, write, bear arms or vote, let alone speak freely. It’s like trying to mix water and oil — it just doesn’t work.
The lyric has sparked some discussion on social media, with one user providing a comprehensive breakdown of why they believe it shouldn’t have been included.
Just gonna leave this here…. pic.twitter.com/xTjI2zNkfR
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) April 23, 2024
why would she pick the 1830s then. what about the 1830s speaks to taylor swift specifically. is she a big fan of andrew jackson https://t.co/tU0CBFIvre
— victoria zeller (ONE OF THE BOYS, ‘25) (@dirtbagqueer) April 19, 2024
Taylor Swift wanting to go back to the 1830s surprised no Black person anywhere.
— Jenn M. Jackson, PhD (they/them) (@JennMJacksonPhD) April 19, 2024
Antonio Milián’s historical context and critique of Taylor Swift’s wish that she lived in the 1830s, but without all the racists. pic.twitter.com/TToUeuqIBN
— Earl Landix 🇺🇸 (@EarlLandix) April 21, 2024
The controversy is not entirely unexpected given Swift’s past. She was previously linked with Matty Healy, the lead singer of The 1975, who faced allegations of racism. Afterward, she apparently tried to remedy the situation by associating with the rapper Ice Spice.
On her recent album, she seemed to address the relationship with Healy, albeit in a way that some fans found dismissive. Additionally, Swift has faced criticism in the past for her approach to her white feminism.
Swift should take the time to make sure when using historical references, it won’t offend some of her fanbase. And well, she could change the lyrics and add in a new line like a lot of other artists have done in the past — including Lizzo and Beyoncé.
Swift should recognize her power as an artist and tailor her own messaging so it’s not downright offensive to parts of her fanbase.
Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That’s why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we’ll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can’t find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
