Quincy Jones Sounded Off on Taylor Swift & Her Music
Quincy Jones is one of the most legendary music producers who ever lived. In recent years, his musical career as a hitmaker has slowed down. However, he still has plenty of thoughts about contemporary music and he’s sounded off on one of the biggest musicians stars of our time: Taylor Swift.
In 2018, he gave a startling series of interviews where he said shocking things about everyone from Michael Jackson to the Beatles. In one of these interviews, he sounded off on Swift. He doesn’t seem to think her songs are actual songs.
Quincy Jones opens up about contemporary musicians
Let it never be said Jones is stingy with compliments. In a 2018 GQ interview, Chris Heath asked him which current musicians he admires. He named Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Drake, Ludacris, Common, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Hudson. That’s quite a long list. He seems to enjoy both modern rappers and musicians like Mars who take obvious inspiration from his work.
Heath asked him about Swift. Heath noted how some people regard Swift as “the great songwriter of our age.” Jones laughed at that comment. He added, “Whatever crumbles your cookie.”
Jones said Swift writes hooks but not actual songs. He claims Swift doesn’t work hard or know what she’s doing. Heath then asked Jones what he might do if he produced a track for Swift. Jones said he would be able to come up with something, as the strength of a song can do wonders for a subpar singer.
Quincy Jones on good songs vs. bad songs
Jones explained if he worked with Swift. “I’ll figure something out. Man, the song is the sh*t—that’s what people don’t realize. A great song can make the worst singer in the world a star. A bad song can’t be saved by the three best singers in the world. I learned that 50 years ago.”
Heath expressed how many people feel Swift has already given us great songs. Jones dismissed those people as ignorant. He noted he’s been in the industry for 70 years, so he knows which songs are good and which songs are not. Some of Swift’s fans were upset and shocked by Jones’ comments.
Quincy Jones and Taylor Swift cross paths again
Jones admitted his mouth always gets him in trouble. His daughter Rashida famously gave him the nickname LL QJ, which stands for “Loose Lips Quincy Jones.” Jones certainly didn’t mince words when he discussed Swift. However, he later expressed regret for criticizing Swift and others. Jones said that, even in his 80s, he was still making mistakes and learning from them.
This would not be the last time Swift and Jones crossed paths in some way. In 2019, Jones entered into a joint venture deal with Atlas Music Publishing. Atlas Music Publishing is owned by Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, the company which owns the rights to Swift’s first six albums. Despite Jones’ misgivings about Swift’s music, there is a connection between the two artists.
Also see: Wendy Williams: Taylor Swift Proves ‘Life in General’ Is Getting Worse
