Taylor Swift on fame, criticism, breakup songs and her favorite album of the moment
Life in the spotlight: "People have busy lives. They don't really care about every move I make. As much as if I were to Google myself there'd probably be a new blog post every 15 seconds, people don't really care that much. I'm just happy they want to see me in concert or listen to me in their car or at home."
Her public persona: "You can't ever portray who you actually are in the world we live in where there's a headline and an exclamation point behind everything you say. It paints you as a cartoon no matter what. I'm the kind of person where if I read a detail that's wrong - 'we didn't go to that restaurant', 'that person just stopped by to say hi at the table', 'we weren't on a date' - if I read something factually incorrect, it bothers me."
Keeping gossip in perspective: "As a writer it's really important I keep my mind in check. That's the only thing that keeps me here - what comes out of my mind. So I spend a lot of time thinking about my perspective, how to look at life, how to stay happy but still feel things. Not protect myself too much but shield myself from unnecessary pain and insecurity."
Writing about failed relationships: "Break-ups are hard. And you need music to get through them. I am happy to be your go-to break-up musician. People like music when they're in love but they don't need it as much. You need music when you're missing someone or you're pining for someone or you're forgetting someone or you're trying to process what just happened. The heartbroken are a special kind of people. When you're in that spot, when you're going through it, I'll be there to hold your hand."
George Jones' death: "Losing George Jones deeply saddened everyone in Nashville. His influence on country music and his legacy will last forever. On top of all of that, he was a very sweet man and I'm so sorry we've lost him. He never stopped wanting to be onstage. He played live shows until the day he died, and that passion for performing is something I look up to."
Her current favorite album: "Tegan & Sara have been around for years and I’ve always loved them, but I feel like they really stretched sonically on this new album, "Heartthrob." I was just so impressed by it, and there isn’t a song on it I don’t love. So I guess, in my mind, I categorize them as the new Tegan & Sara. To see artists evolve like that is so inspiring."
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