Taylor Swift is a musical royalty whose strides towards making her American dream a reality have served influences worldwide. In the grand symphony of musical influence, decoding the Taylor Swift effect is not a one-man job but, indeed there was one man notably not under her spell: the legendary producer Quincy Jones, who recently crossed the rainbow bridge, leaving a void unescapable in the music sphere. 

Back in 2018, Jones openly criticized Swift's music, pointing out what he felt were its undeniable flaws; a stance that contrasted sharply with the widespread acclaim and accolades the pop icon amassed throughout her career.

In a 2018 interview with GQ Magazine, the iconic record producer Quincy Jones weighed in on the artists he thought were going big in contemporary. He showed love to Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Bruno Mars, among others, but left one name that caught more attention—Taylor Swift. Leaning on Swift’s reputation as the highest-selling artist, the host probed further for Jones's opinion only to receive a rather scathing reply that the industry needs more “songs” and not “hooks.”

Initially, Jones’ facial expression may have given it away when it was “somewhere between disapproval and disdain.” However, upon pressing further, Jones explained what is missing is self-awareness. He added that “it takes work,” though, as early as his childhood, he knew people did not want to do the work. But Jones believes the only place where success precedes work is within the dictionary and that too because it is alphabetical in its nature.

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While few in the music industry have truly critiqued the self-made billionaire on a deeper level, Jones went there and even shared what he would do if he were to produce the pop star.

Quincy Jones has had an illustrious career within the musical main-field, associated with legends like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tupac, and who not. However, in his interview with GQ Men in 2018, when the iconic producer found himself on the opposite fence of Taylor Swift fans after revealing what he believes is wrong with her music, he was also asked his stance if he ever produced the pop star.

Having been an Emmy, an Oscar, a Tony, and a Grammy holder, Jones showed utter confidence. “I’ll figure something out,” Jones said before adding how people often do not realize that what sells is the song, and so, it is the real “sh--.” The producer believes a “great song” can show the worst artist the sweetest success, whereas a “bad song” cannot really be saved by the biggest artists in the world. Hence, it circles back to what Jones said first, that it is all about the “songs” and not merely the “hooks” for him.

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What do you think of Quincy Jones' perspective on Taylor Swift's music? Let us know in the comments below!