Taylor Swift's "September" Cover
Added 6 years ago by Adam • Updated about a year ago by Brad
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| Overview • Background • Developments • Search Interest • External References • |
Type: Controversy
Tags: taylor swift earth wind and fire cover twitter controversy music
Overview
Taylor Swift's "September" Cover refers to an acoustic cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire song September by pop-country music artist Taylor Swift that was heavily criticized by the black community and music fans.
Background
On April 13th, 2018, Taylor Swift debuted her "September" cover on Spotify along with an acoustic version of her song "Delicate" from her album Reputation (YouTube upload shown below). Swift's interpretation of the song is softer and more melancholy than the original and heavily features banjo. Also of note, she changed the first lyric of the song from "21st night of September" to "28th night of September" to reference her current boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.[5]
Developments
The track was quickly panned by critics the day of release. Spin[1] called it "completely joyless." The Root[2] hated the song, stating "(late Earth, Wind & Fire member) Maurice White did not die for this" and "Taylor Swift needs her ass whooped." Writing in The Chicago Tribune,[3] critic Kevin Williams wrote "Swift’s assault of 'September' is singularly bereft of joy, rhythm, syncopation -- everything except bombast." Surviving Earth, Wind & Fire member Allee Willis gave the cover her blessing, stating "Taylor Swift is the absolute cherry on top of a very soulful and happy sundae."[4]
Online, the cover split Twitter users. Many were vehemently opposed to the cover. Twitter user @SopanDeb posted about the cover with an image of Captain Picard from Star Trek, gaining over 50 retweets and 240 likes (shown below, left). Twitter user @_MissLeandra posted about the cover with a GIF from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt which reads "What white nonsense is this?" (shown below, right).
Other Twitter users defended the cover. Twitter user @zainubamir stated the song "makes me wish I was in love," gaining 250 retweets and over 1,300 likes (shown below, left). User Carlyylalaa said the cover transported her to an idyllic scene, gaining over 530 retweets (shown below, right).
Black Women Listening to "September" Video
One reaction that went viral showed several older black women listening to the cover with various negative reactions, including one looking stone-faced and angry while another cracked up with laughter. The video was tweeted by @_TheRealKareem_, and gained over 85,000 retweets and 206,000 likes (shown below).
These Black Women listening to Taylor Swift’s cover of “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire is SENDING ME 😭😂😭😂😭😂😭 pic.twitter.com/TIFm2137OT
— The Vixen of Gay T W I T T E R✊🏾 (@_TheRealKareem_) April 18, 2018
The video was covered by The Daily Dot,[6] Blavity,[7] and Vibe.[8]
Search Interest
External References
[1] Spin – Taylor Swift’s “September” Cover Is Completely Joyless
[2] The Root – Taylor Swift Just Disrespected Earth, Wind & Fire With Her Cover of ‘September’
[3] Chicago Tribune – Taylor Swift covered Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September,' and shouldn't have -- really
[4] Billboard – Taylor Swift's 'September' Cover Gets Nod of Approval From Earth, Wind & Fire Co-Writer Allee Willis
[5] Insider – Taylor Swift changed the lyrics to a classic song -- and fans think it's a clue about her mysterious relationship
[6] The Daily Dot – 3 Black women listen to Taylor Swift’s ‘September’ cover--and their faces say it all
[7] Blavity – These Black Women Listening To Taylor Swift's 'September' Cover Perfectly Channel The Ancestors' Disappointment
[8] Vibe – Taylor Swift’s “September” Cover Is A Tough Pill To Swallow For These Black Women
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