Taylor Swift Recalls Yelling But Daddy I Love Him During Teen Tantrum
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Many fans of Taylor Swift believe that her song "But Daddy I Love Him" was inspired by The Little Mermaid, but the true story behind it is much more personal.
In a resurfaced interview from 2008 with Popsugar, the now 34-year-old Swift revealed that she had a disagreement with her father, Scott, when she was dating someone her parents did not approve of. During a heated argument, she yelled out the words, "But daddy I love him," before storming off to write "Love Story," a popular song from her second studio album, Fearless.
Swift revealed that she wrote the song after experiencing a major teenage tantrum. She recalled yelling, "But daddy, I love him!" before storming off to her room and pouring her emotions into the lyrics on the floor.
The phrase "But daddy I love him" gained popularity from Disney's 1989 movie, spoken by Ariel. It is now a well-known track from Swift's 2024 album, The Tortured Poets Department, and a featured song on her Eras Tour in the TTPD section.
Swift unveiled her album TTPD in April. While some fans expected it to focus on her past relationship with Joe Alwyn, many songs appeared to be about her brief romance with Matty Healy from The 1975 after her split from Alwyn.
Swift and Healy, who is 35 years old, were first rumored to be together in 2014, almost nine years before their short-lived relationship. They started dating in April 2023 but had broken up by June of the same year. Despite claims that their relationship was not serious, certain tracks from TTPD, such as “But Daddy I Love Him,” “The Tortured Poets Department,” and “Down Bad,” suggest otherwise.
Swift faced criticism from fans for collaborating with Healy due to his history of controversial behavior. He had previously made offensive comments about Swift's friend Ice Spice and admitted to inappropriate behavior in a radio interview. While he later apologized to Spice, he did not express regret for his actions.
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Taylor Swift never openly talked about her quick relationship with Healy or his remarks. However, some observant fans think she turned the criticism about her love life into the song "But Daddy I Love Him." The lyrics include lines like, “God save the most judgmental creeps / who say they want what’s best for me / sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I’ll never see” and “Undo the death of me / you ain’t gotta pray for me / He’s my wild boy and I’m his wild child.”
Healy's reaction to Swift's new record was described by an insider in April. They mentioned that he felt "uncomfortable" with the "renewed attention" to their past relationship, especially since he is now dating Gabbriette Bechtel.
On the other hand, a second source shared that Healy is actually very happy with how TTPD turned out. Despite initial concerns from his family that Swift would criticize him in her songs, he couldn't be happier with the outcome.
"Matty has been finding it tough dealing with being in the spotlight, but he's been handling it well. The last thing he wants is for Swifties everywhere to see him as a bad guy," a source shared.
Healy's aunt, Debbie Dedes, also shared her thoughts after the record came out. She mentioned to the Daily Mail that her nephew is content in his new relationship, so he will probably be putting his attention on that.
Dedes mentioned that Healy, as a fellow songwriter, probably wouldn't be surprised by Swift's approach. According to her, Swift often writes about her relationships, so Healy is likely aware of what to expect in the song. Both Healy and Swift understand the situation well.
On the other hand, Swift moved on with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce in July 2023. Kelce is mentioned in songs like "So High School" and "The Alchemy" on TTPD. The 34-year-old NFL star has been seen at multiple Eras Tour shows, sometimes accompanied by Swift's dad, Scott. Recently, he was spotted at Swift's 87th concert, where she was seen blowing him kisses.
Editor's P/S:
The revelation that Taylor Swift's "But Daddy I Love Him" was inspired by a personal disagreement with her father offers a refreshing insight into the artist's creative process. It highlights the deeply personal nature of her songwriting, where real-life experiences and emotions are transformed into compelling narratives. The song's lyrics, with their passionate plea and defiance, reflect the intensity of Swift's teenage emotions and her determination to follow her heart.
Furthermore, the article sheds light on the complex dynamics of Swift's relationship with Matty Healy and the controversies surrounding their brief romance. The lyrics of "But Daddy I Love Him" seem to address the criticism and judgment Swift faced for her choice of partner, revealing her resilience and self-assurance. The song serves as a testament to her ability to navigate the complexities of love and public scrutiny, turning personal experiences into powerful and relatable anthems.