Analyzing Taylor Swift's 'But Daddy I Love Him' Song: Unpacking Fan Reactions

Does Taylor Swift s The Tortured Poets Department Song But Daddy I Love Him Shade Her Fans 924

Taylor Swift, Matty Healy. Getty Images (2)

Taylor Swift appears to be reflecting on her short relationship with Matty Healy in her song "But Daddy I Love Him," possibly addressing criticism from fans.

In the track released on April 19, Swift, 34, sings, "I’d rather burn my whole life down than listen to one more second of all this complaining." She also mentions, "My good name belongs to me alone to tarnish. I am not bothered by all these negative voices dressed in pale attire."

Swift and Healy were first linked in 2014, almost nine years before they officially started dating. They briefly dated between April and May 2023 but by June, it was confirmed that their romance had ended. Sources mentioned that they were never serious. (A few months later, Swift began dating Travis Kelce.)

During their short relationship, some dedicated fans criticized Swift for being with the British singer, despite his controversial past. In January 2023, Healy made insensitive comments about Swift's friend Ice Spice's heritage and admitted to inappropriate behavior during a radio interview. He later apologized to Ice Spice, but stood by his remarks.

Healy expressed to The New Yorker in May 2023 that it is unrealistic for someone to be upset about him at night while their boyfriend consoles them. He believes that if someone claims to be hurt by him, they are either lying or mentally unstable. People often try to show off how good they are by getting close to something negative, which Healy finds intriguing because it reveals their true nature.

Swift chose not to publicly discuss her relationship with Healy, his controversies, or the fan criticism until she wrote "But Daddy I Love Him."

Swift sings about judgmental people who claim to have good intentions for her but are actually hypocritical. They perform self-righteous monologues that she will never witness. They believe they can control her emotions and override the natural chemistry she shares with someone else.

She goes on to express that she doesn't need their prayers to change who she is. She embraces her wild side and acknowledges that the person she is with brings out her adventurous spirit.

Swift appears to be referring to the critics as "Sara" and "Hannah."

In her song, the Grammy winner sings, "I just learned these people only raise you to cage you. Saras and Hannahs in their Sunday best, clutching their pearls sighing, 'What a mess.' I just learned these people try and save you because they hate you."

In another part of the song, Taylor Swift mentions her parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, who eventually support her inspiration for the song "But Daddy I Love Him."

She sings about putting on fake smiles for people in town and how scandals can affect pride but also bring couples closer together. Swift then talks about how after the situation calmed down, she turned to her parents for support and they eventually came around. Some mothers may still have doubts, but Swift dismisses them, saying it's all in the past.

Who is your favorite ex-boyfriend of Taylor Swift?

Fans have speculated that the title of the song was inspired by a line from The Little Mermaid, where Ariel expresses her love for Prince Eric despite her father's disapproval. Swift cleverly used this phrase to address her critics.

She sings in the chorus, "But Daddy I love him, I’m having his baby.” She continues, “No, I’m not but you should see your faces. I’m trying to floor it through the fences. No I’m not coming to my senses. I know it’s crazy but he’s the one that I want.”

The Tortured Poets Department is available now.

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