As someone who has been in the industry for more than two decades, Taylor Swift has had her share of criticism, mostly aimed at her songwriting, her personal life, or sometimes, as ridiculous as it may sound, her incredible success. A songwriting genius, Swift has also used the power of her music to get her message to her fans, and sometimes, her haters.
In a discography that includes more than thousands of songs, here are five times when Taylor Swift clapped back at haters and critics with the power of her music. Some of which even helped her add another Grammy to her big pile of awards.
Mean – Speak Now
Taylor Swift’s third studio album was her first ever album that credited her solely for songwriting. Among the many masterpieces on this album, was the first-ever song she released as a response to critics. It has been rumored that she wrote the song for Bob Lefsetz who wrote a scathing review of one of her performances. The song is about someone who Swift calls ‘mean‘ and sings about how she will someday go places and be a big name but all this person is ever going to be is mean.
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Talking about the song Swift has said, “There is constructive criticism. There’s professional criticism. And then, there’s just being mean. There’s a line that you cross when you just start to attack everything about a person, and there’s one guy who just crossed the line over and over again. Just being mean, and saying things that would ruin my day…’Mean’ is about how I handle it, and sort of my mind set about this whole situation.”
Prominent Lyrics: “Someday I’ll be big enough so you can’t hit me
and all you’re are ever gonna be is mean”
Look What You Made Me Do – Reputation
Possibly the most famous revenge song in her discography, ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ is a direct response to her then nemesis Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry. The song was a comeback after her whole feud with Kim and Kanye after which she completely disappeared from public life.
The music video for the song has a number of easter eggs aimed at clues on who they’re about. It’s one of her most well-written music videos and the most iconic eras.
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Prominent Lyrics: “I’m sorry/ But the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now/ Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead “
You Need To Calm Down – Lover
The song’s catchy vibe matches the colorful music video that established Taylor as a dedicated ally to the LGBTQ community. ‘You Need To Calm Down’ is a clapback at haters who spent so much of their time hating on celebrities online, pitting them against each other.
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Talking about the song, Swift said, “I wrote this song about the energy and effort that some people put into spreading negativity. With all of the trolling, cancel culture, telling people how to live their lives, or pitting women against each other… you’re being too loud. This is a song where I’m just saying, “You Need To Calm Down.” Go outside, it’s the summer.”
Prominent Lyrics: “And we see you over there on the internet/ Comparing all the girls who are killing it/ But we figured you out/ We all know now, we all got crowns/ You need to calm down“
Karma – Midnights
Taking a break from the re-recordings, Swift released ‘Midnights‘ in 2023 which served a number of personal songs drawn from her personal experiences. One that particularly stood out was ‘Karma.’ The meaning of the song- well- the title explains it pretty much.
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The song is rumored to be a clap back against her enemies- namely, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Scooter Braun, with the focus being on how they will receive their karma for what they have done to her, meanwhile Swift basks in more success and joy- that being her karma for being the better person.
Prominent Lyrics: “Ask me what I learned from all those years/ Ask me what I earned from all those tears/ Ask me why so many fade, but I’m still here”
Thank You Aimee – The Tortured Poets Department
A rather recent addition to songs she has written for Kim Kardashian includes a searing song from her latest album ‘Tortured Poets’ that capitalizes the letters K, I, and M in the title, an obvious allusion to the American socialite.
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Another song in the album ‘Cassandra’ also references Kardashian, but ‘Thank You Aimee’ fits the narrative better.
Prominent Lyrics: “And maybe you’ve reframed it/ And in your mind, you never beat my spirit black and blue/ I don’t think you’ve changed much/ And so I changed your name and any real defining clues/ And one day, your kid comes home singing/ A song that only us two is gonna know is about you“
