Dolly Parton has called Taylor Swift “magnificent” for standing her ground during her public spat with Damon Albarn.
Swift condemned the Blur frontman after he alleged she does not write her own songs during an interview with the LA Times.
Confronting him for questioning her talent, the 32-year-old tweeted: “I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL my own songs.
“Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really f***ed up to try and discredit my writing.”
@DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really fucked up to try and discredit my writing. WOW. https://t.co/t6GyXBU2Jd
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 24, 2022
Parton, 76, has now leapt to the defence of Swift following the public row.
The country singer told HollywoodLife: “I don’t care what other people say about my songs.
“But with Taylor, she’s a great writer – with or without anybody.”
“I really get rubbed wrong sometimes when people mistreat the artist. I don’t like that,” Dolly continued, before gushing over how “magnificent” Swift is.
The Jolene singer added: “And that’s one of the things I admire about her because she’s never sold herself. She’s never felt like she’s had to sell her body. She’s always had good taste in how she’s presented herself and with her songs.
“And she’s very creative and very, very, very smart in the marketing of her life. She knows who she is and what she wants. And I’m the same way. I’m going to fight if it goes against what I feel is not right for me.”
In the interview, Albarn had said: “Co-writing is very different to writing”.
He added: “I’m not hating on anybody, I’m just saying there’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes.
“When I sing, I have to close my eyes and just be in there. I suppose I’m a traditionalist in that sense.
“A really interesting songwriter is Billie Eilish and her brother. I’m more attracted to that than to Taylor Swift.
“It’s just darker — less endlessly upbeat. Way more minor and odd. I think she’s exceptional.”
Albarn, who is also known for being the co-founder of virtual band Gorillaz, issued an apology to Swift following the comments.
“I totally agree with you,” he told Swift. “I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally.
“The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand.”
Parton also defended Britney Spears amid the pop star’s long-standing conservatorship battle.
“I don’t like to judge other people and their problems, but when all that stuff that happens, like with Britney Spears — when they get [wrapped up in] controversy like that, you have to kind of stand up for yourself,” she said.
