Courtney Love could have a cruel summer running into Swifties after saying their favorite artist Taylor Swift is neither important nor interesting.
In a new interview with The Standard promoting Love’s BBC Radio series celebrating women in music (oh, the irony), the Hole singer didn’t have kind words to say about Swift. “Taylor is not important,” she said. “She might be a safe space for girls, and she’s probably the Madonna of now, but she’s not interesting as an artist.”
Making room to piss off another fanbase, Love also said Beyoncé isn’t her cup of tea — though she appreciates the “concept” of Queen Bey’s latest album, COWBOY CARTER. “I like the idea of Beyoncé doing a country record because it’s about Black women going into spaces where previously only white women have been allowed,” she explained. “I just don’t like her music.”
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Love has even soured on Lana Del Rey, whom she once called one of the only “two true musical geniuses” next to her late husband Kurt Cobain: “I haven’t liked Lana since she covered a John Denver song, and I think she should really take seven years off. Up until ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’ I thought she was great.”
However, Love does shower praise on artists such as Patti Smith, Nina Simone, PJ Harvey, Julie London, Joni Mitchell, and Debbie Harry. Without a hint of self-awareness, she also said her show was meant to “redeem some of the women who have been treated so badly by the record industry,” adding, “Women are still marginalized in this industry, even though they’re more successful.”
Whether or not you agree with Love’s assessment of Swift’s music, there’s no disputing her impact on music. Earlier this year, she became the first artist to win four Album of the Year Grammys ahead of her upcoming LP, The Tortured Poets Department, which will break all sorts of records when it arrives this Friday.
But to be fair to Love, she is giving a subjective opinion about not finding Swift’s music interesting, and there’s room for debate about whether she is as innovative as the other artists who have impacted Love’s life.
Next month, Swift will kick off the European and UK leg (get tickets here) of her “Eras Tour” with Paramore. Later this year, she’ll head out on a North American run (grab your seats here) with Gracie Abrams.
