Taylor Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl had a lot of assumptions attached to its songs when the names were first revealed. Many believed that Taylor had written a diss track in response to her alleged feud with Blake Lively. However, in a twist of events, one of her new songs in the album ‘Actually Romantic‘ strongly hints towards a rift between Taylor and another pop-singer, Charli XCX.
Charli XCX had also written a song, ‘Sympathy is a Knife‘, about Taylor Swift as part of her iconic Brat album. Fans think that Taylor’s new song is a response to this track. Hence, with a new feud between pop-culture icons, here’s what most netizens think is better between the two and who, out of Charli and Taylor, won the diss track competition.
Charli XCX’s song ‘Sympathy is a Knife‘ about Taylor Swift
Charli XCX‘s song ‘Sympathy is a Knife‘ is more about her own vulnerability rather than belittling Taylor Swift. The singer in the song says that there is ‘this girl’ who really taps into her insecurities. Charlie even repeats in the song that, “Cause I couldn’t even be her if I tried”. The crux of SIAK is that Charli, who is also a pop icon, albeit very different from Taylor, becomes overwhelmed and insecure and compares herself to the global star. Hence, the song is a commentary on Charli’s own insecurity. However, there is a lyric which has enraged many Swifties, which says:
“Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick.”
For the uninitiated, Charli XCX is married to George Daniel, who was her boyfriend at the time the song was released. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift was briefly dating Matty Healy. Both George and Matty are part of the same band, 1975. Hence, many people have speculated that Charli tried to convey that she really wanted Taylor and Matty to break up so that she wouldn’t have to cross paths with the songstress. This lyric has enraged many Swifties, but Charli’s fans argue that it is being taken out of context.
‘Actually Romantic‘ is Taylor Swift’s diss track on Charli XCX supposedly
Taylor Swift’s ‘Actually Romantic’ has sparked a conversation about her feud with Charli XCX. The former doesn’t hold back and makes a lot of comments about Charli, allegedly. Taylor also mentions Charli’s substance use and makes a reference to her song, ‘SIAK’. The lyric goes:
“High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me / Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face.”
Along with making numerous remarks reportedly about Charli XCX, ‘Actually Romantic’ explores how a hater becomes so obsessed with Taylor that their fixation becomes ‘actually romantic’. Hence, the gist of Taylor’s diss track is that whoever the song is directed at is actually obsessed with the singer.
Fans say whether Taylor Swift’s or Charli XCX’s diss track is better
After analysing both the songs, neutral listeners have taken to Reddit to discuss which of the tracks is the better one. The verdict is that most netizens believe Charli XCX’s song ‘Sympathy is a Knife‘ is better. One user wrote, ” I think there’s an extra level of ick to the “you’re obsessed with me” thing bc like… that’s what Charli was saying already? That she can’t let go of this insecurity around her even though she knows she should? There might be more behind the scenes but on the surface, Charli is expressing an ugly emotion with nuance and Taylor is laughing at her for it”.
Many people are also not happy with the personal comments Taylor made on her diss track allegedly hinting at Charli’s substance use. Another Redditor said, “And I feel she (Taylor) did so by punching below the belt. Each to their own on the thoughts surrounding the c*ke line, but to insinuate she’s (Charli) a coward unless she’s on c*ke rubs me the wrong way.”
Many netizens also criticised Taylor Swift for being catty and undermining another woman. One user wrote, “I think we need to accept this is who Taylor truly is now? Or always has been? Seems to have become very apparenty since she started dating Travis Kelce, she’s associating with toxic people and lacking maturity. Most of us gain maturity with age.”
What are your thoughts on both the diss tracks? Let us know.
Also Read: Did Travis Kelce’s Ex, Kayla Nicole Just Reacts To Taylor Swift’s Allegedly Diss Track ‘Opalite’?