Sean Lennon reveals Taylor Swift lyric that made him “uncomfortable”

20 September, 2024

Sean Ono Lennon and Taylor Swift. Credit: Gustavo Caballero and Axelle_Bauer-Griffin via GETTY

Sean Ono Lennon has opened up about the one Taylor Swift lyric from her entire discography that left him feeling “uncomfortable”.

Earlier this week (September 15), Lennon – the son of Beatles icon John Lennon and Yoko Ono – took to his official X/Twitter account to respond to former US president Donald Trump saying that he “hates” the ‘Bejeweled’ singer.

“Hating on Taylor Swift is not a good look,” Ono Lennon tweeted.

In a separate tweet, he added that although he is not a fan of the pop star, he “can’t think of a single song so I don’t really know if I like it or not”. He went on to call Swift a “uniquely successful American”, adding: “A young woman who has done things in a way that no one has done before her.”

Lennon continued: “She is the kind of American that should be respected and in fact treasured. We need more not less Taylor Swifts in our world. People who thrive continually and consistently are exactly the kind of person both parties should embrace.”

The musician, songwriter, and producer added that Trump – who he referred to as an “old grumpy dude” – getting angry at the pop star is “not a good look”.

He continued: “A more ‘presidential’ or gracious criticism might have been something like ‘She is a brilliant young woman. I have a lot of respect for what she has accomplished. I don’t believe she knows the reality of the party she is endorsing.

“I hope her fans are able to make up their own minds and understand the big difference between a talent in music and an understanding of politics or economics.’ How about that? That would’ve sounded reasonable. But ‘old man yells at moon’ is not a good look. (I’d like to remind everyone that I am not endorsing either side of this clown show.)”

The following day (September 16), Lennon tweeted another tweet to share the one Swift lyric that left him feeling odd. “I can’t believe I forgot this one but I actually remember a Taylor song called ‘Bad Blood’ (or something),” he wrote.

“I remember she rhymed ‘mad love’ with ‘bad blood’ and that kind of made me uncomfortable. This is only to say that it was not true I don’t know any songs. I know that one. I have nothing against her. I have a lot of respect for what she has accomplished. I certainly could never do what she does.”

Lennon has had quite an extensive career in his own right. He has been a member of bands such as Cibo Matto, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, The Claypool Lennon Delirium and his parents’ group Plastic Ono Band.

He released his debut solo album ‘Into the Sun’ back in 1998, and followed that up with 2006’s ‘Friendly Fire’. He’s also served as a producer for various artists including Black Lips and the Plastic Ono Band.

Recently, Lennon announced a brand new meditation remix of his late father’s song ‘Mind Games’.

Set for release on October 9, the same day as Sean and John’s shared Birthday, ‘Mind Games – The Meditation Mixes’ features nine reworkings of ‘Mind Games’ which were created by Sean in effort to help listeners relax and guide them into deeper states of consciousness. You can pre-order / pre-save the LP here. 

In other news, the musician previously opened up about the importance of his father’s music and his parents’ relationship.

“One thing that distinguishes my dad’s solo career is how personal his lyrics became. It is like a diary, and it is my duty to bring attention to my father’s music. Not just my duty to him, but a duty to the world,” he told The Times.

He continued: “With the world as it is now, people have forgotten so many things that I never imagined could be forgotten. I refuse to let that happen to this music — it means too much to me.”

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