Taylor Swift makes major change to album Speak Now after admitting regret at misogynistic lyrics
TAYLOR SWIFT has used her re-recording of 2010 album Speak Now to “remove misogyny” from it.
In her 2020 Netflix documentary Miss Americana the singer admitted deep regret over some of her past actions.
Now she has put her words into action and changed the lyrics to the album’s track Better Than Revenge, about a girl who stole her boyfriend.
On the feisty original, Taylor fumed: “She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think, she’s an actress.
“She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress.” In the re-recorded version the line is: “He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches”.
In Miss Americana Taylor said: “I had to deprogram the misogyny in my own brain.
“There is no such thing as a slut, there is no such thing as a bitch. There is no such thing as someone who’s bossy. There’s just a boss.”
Reflecting on the song, Taylor added: “I was 18 when I wrote that. Then you grow up and realise no one can take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.”
Taylor is re-recording her albums in a long-running dispute over ownership of the recordings on her first six studio albums.
Speak Now features six previously unreleased tracks from Taylor’s “vault” including album closer Timeless, which is about her grandparents.
The other five are thought to have been inspired by her former flames John Mayer, Taylor Lautner, and Adam Young aka Owl City.
On new track Foolish One, Taylor sings of pining after a mystery man who gives her “just enough attention to keep my hopes too high”.
She sings: “My cards are on the table, yours are in your hand. Chances are tonight you’ve already got plans.”
Castle’s Crumbling, featuring Paramore‘s Hayley Williams, is about a young Taylor seeing a relationship fail in full view of the world.
She sings: “And I feel like my castle’s crumbling down.
“And I watch all my bridges burn to the ground. And you don’t want to know me, I will just let you down.”
Hayley said: “It’s about an experience that both of us have shared growing up in the public eye, and I just felt very honoured to sing about that feeling.”
ROG HAS A BALL AT GIG
HE’s one of the greatest sportsmen in history, but it’s good to see Roger Federer hasn’t let it go to his head.
I can reveal the retired tennis idol drove himself from the Royal Box at Wimbledon’s Centre Court to London’s Hyde Park on Thursday to see Bruce Springsteen‘s epic gig.
Roger was spotted dancing the evening away in the VIP section of British SummerTime, alongside pals Jon Bon Jovi and Kate Hudson.
Playing to the packed park, Dancing In The Dark singer Bruce, treated fans to a mammoth three-hour set, the longest in the festival’s history.
His support act The Chicks – formerly Dixie Chicks – were so determined to see Bruce’s full set, they skipped dinner and ordered a takeaway including posh sausage rolls to the VIP treehouse overlooking the stage.
A source said: “Bruce’s return to London was a who’s who of stars.
“Everyone from Dermot O’Leary to Billy Joel and Pixie Geldof were watching from the stands.
“Roger was truly in his element. He was singing along with Jon for the whole evening and filming himself with Bruce behind him on his phone.
“It was proper fan-girl stuff.”
Tonight Bruce will play the second of two shows at BST alongside his E Street Band.
In a shake-up to the bill from earlier this week, he will be supported by James Bay, Brittney Spencer and Pa Sheehy.
RITA’S LA VIDA MOCHA
RITA ORA is seen doubling up on her coffee order ahead of a busy week.
The hit-maker was spotted strutting through London in a baby-blue crop-top and striped trousers clutching two iced lattes.
Next week Rita will hit the promo circuit ahead of the release of her third album You & I, which is out on Friday.
Its first three tracks You Only Love Me, Praising You and Don’t Think Twice, have already picked up more than 80million global streams.
Opening up about the record – her first since 2018’s Phoenix – Rita said: “It’s like my diary of the last few years.
“It’s my sound and it just feels so true to me and who I am today. This album really means a lot to me.”
I previously told how the record covers everything, from her marriage to Hollywood director Taika Waititi to Rita’s crippling low self-esteem as she found her footing in the savage showbiz world.
HAS EGOT IT?
IT’S been a historic year for Sir Elton John – and he may pull off yet another career first.
The singer is on the cusp of legendary Egot status – winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards – after the Disney Plus live stream of his final Dodger Stadium concert in Los Angeles last November was nominated for an Emmy.
Husband David Furnish used social media this week to issue a rallying cry to make Elton an Egot at this year’s Emmys ceremony on September 18.
Only a handful of people have achieved the status, including Barbra Streisand and Sir Tim Rice.
Elton has six Grammys, two Oscars and one Tony for Best Original Score, for 2000’s Aida.
Tonight he will finally end his 333-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Stockholm after being on the road since 2018.
CAUGHT LIVE
British Grand Prix launch party
FOR the first time ever the British Grand Prix at Silverstone kicked off with an epic launch party featuring top UK artists.
Cat Burns was up first, performing hits including Go and Live More & Love More with a jubilant crowd singing along to every word at the expanded music arena.
Jess Glynne took things up a notch, belting out wall-to-wall classics and surprising everyone with the first UK performance of her new tune What Do You Do? which is out next Friday.
As the sun set, Calvin Harris got behind the decks to headline the event, fist- pumping the air and saluting the 45,000-strong crowd, who went wild.
I’d forgotten how many bangers the legendary DJ has in the bag.
He nearly blew the roof off the place with classic hits I Need Your Love, featuring Ellie Goulding, We Found Love, with Rihanna, and more recent tunes such as the chart-topper Miracle.
A spectacular firework display closed out the show, bringing to an end an unforgettable day.
Will I be back next year? Definitely!
★★★★★
Ashley Whitt
LEIGH IN BEACH BLISS
LEIGH-ANNE Pinnock strips down to an orange bikini to bask in the sun.
The Little Mix singer is on honeymoon in Jamaica with her footballer husband Andre Gray.
The couple tied the knot there in May in a lavish coastal wedding.
Opening up about their big day and how former X Factor contestant Jahmene Douglas sang at at the event, she said: “It was beautiful.
“Do you remember Jahméne from The X Factor? He sang as I walked down the aisle and I had a gospel choir as well, it was just absolutely stunning.
“It was a bit of a dream to be honest.”
Leigh-Anne is gearing up to release her debut album after becoming the first Little Mix member to go it alone after their split last May.
Label bosses are hoping she will emulate Dua Lipa and become the world’s next big popstar.
Strums up to Jax Guitar
JAX JONES is back with yet another dancefloor banger – teaming up with Fireboy DML for Me & My Guitar.
It comes off the back of his Calum Scott collaboration Whistle – his 15th UK Top 40.
Jax told me: “This record is the first time I’m putting my own story in my music and also the first time I’m singing on a song as I want to find new ways to connect with fans. It’s important to push myself creatively.”
He is set for a bumper summer with shows across the globe including multiple sets at Ibiza club Ushuaia with Martin Garrix and Tiesto.
I’m sure Me & My Guitar will be another hit.
SINGLES
- Sprinter – Dave & Central Cee
- Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
- Who Told You – J Hus ft. Drake
- Miracle – Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding
- Giving Me – Jazzy
- Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift
- (It Goes Like) Nanana – Peggy Gou
- Good Love – Hannah Laing & Roro
- Dancing Is Healing – Rudimental, Charlotte Plank & Vibe Chemistry
- Pakistan – D-Block Europe & Clavish
DAVE and CENTRAL CEE have held on to the top spot for a fifth week – forcing pop superstar OLIVIA RODRIGO to debut at No2 with her savage comeback single Vampire.
ALBUMS
- Dead Club City – Nothing But Thieves
- Diamonds – Elton John
- The Highlights – The Weeknd
- Messy – Olivia Dean
- Harry’s House – Harry Styles
- Midnights – Taylor Swift
- Pink Tape – Lil Uzi Vert
- Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent – Lewis Capaldi
- AM – Arctic Monkeys
- Chasols For The Fly – Grian Chatten
NOTHING But Thieves have claimed their first ever No1 album with Dead City Club