Quincy Jones has criticised Taylor Swift‘s songwriting, saying the music world needs songs, “not hooks”.
In a new profile, the celebrated record producer and musician discussed his views on modern music, amongst many other things.
After professing his love for Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Drake, Ludacris, Common, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Hudson, GQ‘s Chris Heath asked his opinion of Swift. According to the piece, Jones pulled a face “somewhere between disapproval and disdain”.
Asked what was wrong with her, he said: “We need more songs, man. Fucking songs, not hooks.” When told some people consider her one of the greatest songwriters in this era, he responded: “Whatever crumbles your cookie.”
Continuing, Jones said what was missing from Swift’s music was “knowing what you’re doing”. “Since I was a little kid, I’ve always heard the people that don’t wanna do the work,” he explained. “It takes work, man. The only place you find success before work is the dictionary, and that’s alphabetical.”
The producer added that “a great song can make the worst singer in the world a star”, but “a bad song can’t be saved by the three best singers in the world.” When the interviewer proposed the idea of Swift having great songs, Jones replied: “But they don’t know, man. They don’t know. I’ve come and gone through seven decades of this shit. Seen all that. Seen how that works. Ignorance is no thing.”
Meanwhile, fans are speculating that Swift and Lady Gaga could be about to collaborate, after Gaga wore one of the ‘Reputation’ singer’s rings to this weekend’s Grammys.
Gaga was in attendance at the awards, where she delivered a stunning performance while joined by Mark Ronson. While on the red carpet, fans caught on to the fact that she was wearing a ring in the shape of a snake – one that appears to be from Taylor Swift’s latest merchandise collection.