Stories
Todd Rundgren Slams Taylor Swift: "The Apotheosis of Mediocrity" and "Ruined Music"
- •Todd Rundgren, known for hits like "Hello It's Me," called Taylor Swift "the apotheosis of mediocrity" and claimed she "ruined music" in a Vulture interview.
- •Rundgren stated that if he were to create a satirical album today, similar to Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell, Taylor Swift would be his target.
- •He criticized Swift's artistic abilities, saying she does nothing particularly great "except grow hair" and isn't a great singer, songwriter, or dancer, though he acknowledged her as a role model.
- •The interview coincided with a busy week for Swift, who released new music, set a Spotify streaming record, and surpassed Beyoncé as the most-awarded artist at the MTV VMAs.
- •Swift has not responded to Rundgren's comments, who has a history of candidly criticizing fellow musicians like XTC's Andy Partridge and George Harrison.
Key Questions Answered
Todd Rundgren stated that Taylor Swift ruined music and called her the apotheosis of mediocrity during a career-spanning interview with Vulture. He claimed she does not do anything particularly great and is not a great singer, songwriter, or dancer, while comparing the current music landscape to past decades.
Taylor Swift released a four-track extension of her 2025 album titled The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore on Friday, September 25. Her new single Patient Zero broke the Spotify record for the most-streamed song by a female artist in a single day this year.
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year, Best Direction, and the inaugural Artist Director Honors at the MTV VMAs in Los Angeles. These victories brought her career VMA total to 33, allowing her to surpass Beyoncé as the most-awarded artist in the ceremony's history.
