Taylor Swift latest album, 2017’s “Reputation,” may not have been a smash compared to her earlier material, but she’s still a mega-star, even if that’s made her a target for mockery on the internet and Twitter.
So, when Swift decided to return to her country singer/songwriter roots for two Spotify Singles — one an acoustic version of “Delicate,” the other a cover of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” — it elicited a mixed reaction. To many of her fans, this is a welcome reminder that Swift is still capable of releasing a hit album that isn’t full of glitzy pop. But others are calling foul — including African-American culture site The Root, and ESPN’s race-focused site The Undefeated.
“Taylor Swift’s cover of Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’ is the bland potato salad Chadwick Boseman warned us about,” The Undefeated tweeted, referencing a recent “Black Jeopardy” sketch on “SNL.”
“That Taylor Swift cover of ‘September’ sounds like housing discrimination,” another tweeted.
See some of the reaction below:
Taylor Swift’s cover of Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’ is the bland potato salad Chadwick Boseman warned us about.https://t.co/G5drCWbixq
— Andscape (@andscape) April 13, 2018
Taylor Swift Just Disrespected Earth, Wind & Fire With Her Cover of 'September' https://t.co/PBstivtNuz pic.twitter.com/ryu8dUtNDb
— The Root (@TheRoot) April 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/984656111054868480
That Taylor Swift cover of "September" sounds like housing discrimination
— Zito (@_Zeets) April 13, 2018
As if Taylor Swift having a career wasn’t an act of terrorism already, she really covered “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice White is rolling in his grave.
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) April 13, 2018
Taylor Swift: Do you remember the 28th night of September?
Me: pic.twitter.com/I5YljpJK2n— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) April 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/RyanMShepard/status/984492354865369088
https://twitter.com/Jessiewoo_/status/984803795619274752
Taylor Swift covering EW&F's September is inexcusable. That song is a fucking treasure. A classic on another level from anything she has or will ever do. Stay in your lane, little girl.
— Schwarziest, Fall Edition (@Schwarziest) April 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/AubieIicious/status/984790357174087681
Wake me up when Taylor Swift's version of "September" ends
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) April 13, 2018
Of course, the song has its defenders too, including those who think the Internet is turning Swift into an easy target. “I don’t like the Taylor Swift ‘September’ cover, but I’m not MAD about it,” one tweeted. “You’re all acting like she pulled out a mandolin and sang ‘Cop Killer.’”
people who are mad at Taylor Swift for changing the genre of September are the same people who think I Will Always Love You is an original Whitney Houston song
— chrisé (@ikywtoutsold) April 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/kohesivekloss/status/984683244514930688
September is Taylor Swift's greatest cover of all time. Don't fight me on this
— Jess ?️?? (@BrighterNow13) April 12, 2018
Artists do their own arrangements for covers all the time. I am not really sure why people are freaking out over Taylor Swift's cover of "September." If anyone has a solid reason, I'd genuinely like to know.
— Chelsie Hadden (@ChelsieHadden) April 13, 2018
I don't like the Taylor Swift "September" cover but I'm not MAD about it. You're all acting like she pulled out a mandolin and sang "Cop Killer."
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) April 13, 2018
Why r yall acting like September by Earth, Wind & Fire disappeared from existence just b/c Taylor Swift covered it?? If u don’t like her rendition that’s ok, u can still listen to the original anytime. Covers arent designed to upstage the original, theyre gestures of appreciation
— floplore (@FlopFitzgerald) April 13, 2018
Excuse me everyone, @taylorswift13's cover of September makes me wish I was in love?? Or like ever ever in love? How does she do this?? ?
— Zainub Amir (@zainubamir) April 13, 2018
Black twitter really mad at Taylor Swift for covering EWF's September?
Really???
She never did anything remotely racist. She previously recognized the privelege she has. What do you want?
Nobody forces you to listen. So many things to be mad about & you include a song cover???
— Rob?? (@zweeran) April 13, 2018
Judge for yourself. Listen to Swift’s cover of “September” and the original below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=70&v=3ns8f77qtz8