Who is Taylor Swift upset with in her new song “Actually Romantic”?
Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, has fans eagerly dissecting every lyric. One track that has sparked a lot of discussion is “Actually Romantic,” where Swift seems to address someone who has been spreading negative rumors about her. Speculation abounds that the target of this song is her former tour mate, Charli XCX.
On the podcast Commotion, music journalists Emilie Hanskamp, Reanna Cruz, and Suzy Exposito, along with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, delved into Swift’s new album and what it reveals about her current place in the music industry. The song “Actually Romantic” has caught the attention of many listeners due to its pointed lyrics aimed at a specific individual.
Emilie shared her insights on the song’s lyrics, suggesting that the track could be interpreted as a response to Charli XCX’s own song, where she expresses feeling intimidated by Swift. The intense focus on Charli’s personal life and behaviors in Swift’s song, despite its strong musical structure, left Emilie feeling somewhat disappointed. While she appreciated the potential anthem for standing up to adversaries, she found Swift’s specific targeting to be isolating and out of touch with the broader conversations happening in the pop music landscape.
Suzy agreed that Swift’s approach in “Actually Romantic” may not have been the best move, emphasizing the vulnerability and discomfort present in Charli’s music and contrasting it with the aggressive stance in Swift’s lyrics. Although Taylor’s affinity for drama is well-known, Suzy felt that the song lacked the necessary musical bite to match its confrontational message. She believed that the track played it safe sonically, reflecting Swift’s tendency to maintain a more subdued image despite the opportunity for a more intense musical expression.
The panelists engaged in a lively discussion about the dynamics at play in “Actually Romantic,” questioning whether Swift’s foray into drama was well-executed and pointing out the potential missed opportunities for a more impactful musical approach. While acknowledging Swift’s knack for stirring up controversy, they wondered if a more aggressive sound could have enhanced the track’s message.
Overall, the reviews of “Actually Romantic” from this group of music journalists highlight the complexities of Swift’s musical choices and the ways in which they reflect her position within the industry. As fans continue to dissect The Life of a Showgirl, it remains to be seen how this latest release will influence Swift’s evolving career and musical style.