Jack Antonoff Tells Los Angeles Times “Questioning Swift’s Songwriting ‘Is Like Challenging Someone’s Faith In God’.”

Taylor Swift and her music may not be your cup of tea. And that's ok. Personally outside of a couple of songs Billie Elish and Chris Stapleton aren't artists I typically find myself enjoying listening to. However, I will be the first to tell you that both of them are extremely talented. And whether you find yourself listening to Taylor Swift or not you cannot deny she is the songwriter of a generation. Whether it's a catchy pop song or a heartbreaking ballad full of literary metaphors and verses that have you consulting a dictionary. Swift's incredibly relatable and vulnerable songwriting is what has made her the biggest star on the planet. And her good friend and producer Jack Antoff has some words for anyone who critiques Swift's songwriting- he compared it to "challenging someone's faith in God".

This quote was part of an interview with The Los Angeles Times that was released on February 28th, 2024. The interview took place prior to The Grammys, where Taylor Swift would not only win her record-breaking 4th Album of The Year award but announce a new album The Tortured Poets Department. A project that Antonoff worked on with Swift. Antonoff who has been friends with and worked with Swift since 2012 has come to her defense several times before. This included a public spat with Damon Albarn who had the audacity to suggest that perhaps Swift doesn't write her own songs. Albarn retracted his obviously false statement but not before Antonoff vocally came to Swift's defense.

A defense he still stands by to this day. Here is what The Los Angeles Times reports that he said:

He also discussed Kanye West whose negative history with Swift dates back to 2009. Antonoff told the Times in regards to West "It's been a long time since I would've taken Kanye's call". He also described him as someone who "needs his diaper changed so badly.” I love a supportive friend, and that's what Antonoff has been to Swift, one of my favorite people in the world, for years. So Jack, I'll always be on your side as well, thanks for sticking up for my girl.

Read the full article here.

We've known it for 18 years at this point. Taylor Swift is an incredible songwriter from her intricate lyrics to catchy hooks. She has an innate ability to relate to her audience- shown from a young age on her debut album in tracks like "Teardrops On My Guitar" and "Tim McGraw" (my all-time favorite song of hers that she has tied once but will never be able to top). Her crafty lyricism is displayed in "Cold As You" another track off that debut album that was released when she was just 16. All these years later it is still one of her most well-written tracks. The hook is "I've never been anywhere cold as you". A teenager wrote that. A teenager. And she has continued to show masterful growth in her songwriting throughout the years though, and one of the things Taylor does better than anyone? Writing a bridge. The Taylor Swift bridges are where she shines the brightest lyrically. But what are the best and most iconic Taylor Swift bridges? In some ways that is an easy question to answer.

But before I do let's delve a little deeper. What exactly is the bridge of a song? Essentially it connects two sections of the song (i.e. a verse and chorus) but follows a slightly different structure. In terms of Taylor Swift her bridges typically fall after the second chorus. A bridge often features a different tempo than the rest of the song and helps tell the story. And as one of, if not the, greatest songwriters of our generation storytelling is at the heart of every Taylor Swift track.  If you are any sort of Taylor fan you can probably rattle off your favorite right bridge right now.

Taylor can truly do it all when it comes to songwriting- from catchy pop hits like "Shake It Off" and "Anti Hero" to lyrical masterpieces that rip your heart out. There are countless examples throughout her now 18+ year career of this, and she only gets better as time progresses. So while it was hard to narrow down here are 13 (it had to be 13) of the best and most iconic Taylor Swift bridges to date. I expect nothing more than her topping what she has already done with her next release. These are in no particular order, simply the way they came into my head. Enjoy, and if you have these stuck in your head all day, it's just another example of her genius.

What better bridge to start this list off than the ICONIC bridge that is the first one we cross on the Eras Tour- Cruel Summer? This "Lover" track is more popular than ever 4 years after its release. And I dare you to listen to this and not want to scream it at the top of your lungs.

I'm drunk in the back of the car
And I cried like a baby comin' home from the bar (Oh)
Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true
I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you
And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)
And I scream, "For whatever it's worth
I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"
He looks up, grinnin' like a devil

It's hard to pick a favorite line in All Too Well. And I would have said that before Taylor extended the fan-favorite track and gave us the 10-minute version. But the bridge has always been one that ripped your heart out, and proved to the world how incredible of a songwriter Swift is (though fans had known it for years prior to this track's initial 2012 release).

Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much
But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up
Runnin' scared, I was there
I remember it all too well
And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of bein' honest
I'm a crumpled-up piece of paper lyin' here
'Cause I remember it all, all, all

One thing that a lot of these bridges have in common is that they are heartbreaking. And "Champagne Problems" is no exception to that. Even Taylor teared up during multiple shows of the Eras Tour. And screaming "What a shame she's fucked in the head" with 80,000 other people is incredibly cathartic if you're wondering.

Your Midas touch on the Chevy door
November flush and your flannel cure
"This dorm was once a madhouse"
I made a joke, "Well, it's made for me"
How evergreen, our group of friends
Don't think we'll say that word again
And soon they'll have the nerve to deck the halls
That we once walked through
One for the money, two for the show
I never was ready so I watch you go
Sometimes you just don't know the answer
'Til someone's on their knees and asks you
"She would've made such a lovely bride
What a shame she's fucked in the head," they said
But you'll find the real thing instead
She'll patch up your tapestry that I shred

You're Own Your Own Kid has quickly risen and is one of my favorite Taylor songs ever at this point. And that's saying something! The bridge is by far my favorite part of this song and one that is incredibly relatable. Plus it inspired the friendship bracelet trend that look over the Eras Tour and has spilled over to concerts from other artists as well.

From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this
I hosted parties and starved my body
Like I'd be saved by a perfect kiss
The jokes weren't funny, I took the money
My friends from home don't know what to say
I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
And I saw something they can't take away
'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take
So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
You've got no reason to be afraid

The bridge begins at 3:20

Why this song, released only on a special edition CD available at the Metlife shows and for a short period of time on her website, hasn't been completely released I'll never understand. Like anything Taylor does, I'm sure it's strategic, but this heartbreaking song about the moments leading up to her and Joe Alwyn's breakup in DEVESTATING. And the bridge, it had me in tears the first time I heard it. I still feel personally victimized every time I hear it. No matter how many times I listen.

How long could we be a sad song
'Til we were too far gone to bring back to life?
I gave you all my best me's, my endless empathy
And all I did was bleed as I tried to be the bravest soldier
Fighting in only your army
Frontlines, don't you ignore me
I'm the best thing at this party
(You're losin' me)
And I wouldn't marry me either
A pathological people pleaser
Who only wanted you to see her
And I'm fadin', thinkin'

One of the oldest songs included on this list, Dear John almost certainly (though it never has been officially confirmed by Taylor herself) chronicles her relationship with John Mayer. Swift was 19 and Mayer was 32 when the pair dated. Swift addresses this relationship again on her most recent new release Midnights in a track called "Would've Could've Should've". That bridge also could have been included on this list, but I had to stop somewhere and 13 was the only option.

You are an expert at sorry and keeping lines blurry
Never impressed by me acing your tests
All the girls that you’ve run dry have tired lifeless eyes
‘Cause you burned them out
But I took your matches before fire could catch me
So don’t look now
I’m shining like fireworks over your sad, empty town

Another track written about Joe Alwyn that is a little painful to listen to now, but boy doesn't this one hit. There truly is nothing better than screaming/singing along to a Taylor Swift bridge live.

Flashback when you met me, your buzzcut and my hair bleached
Even in my worst times, you could see the best in me
Flashback to my mistakes, my rebounds, my earthquakes
Even in my worst lies, you saw the truth in me
And I woke up just in time, now I wake up by your side
My one and only, my lifeline
I woke up just in time, now I wake up by your side
My hands shake, I can't explain this
Ah, ha, ha, ha-ah

You know it's good when Taylor didn't include this full song on the setlist for the Eras Tour but she did include a moment for the bridge. I feel this one in my bones.

And you wanna scream
Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby"
Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me
You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else
Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby"
Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else

One of the shorter ones (bridges not tracks) on this list, but a song that has stood the test of time. It's heartbreaking. Joe Jonas I'm glad you guys are good now. I really am.

So I'll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep
And I feel you forget me like I used to feel you breathe
And I'll keep up with our old friends just to ask them how you are
Hope it's nice where you are

Some of, or in my opinion, the overall best lyrics on 1989 are the ones in the Out of The Woods Bridge. It was in this moment we learned of this wild day in the relationship of Harry Styles and Taylor Swift.

Remember when you hit the brakes too soon?
Twenty stitches in the hospital room
When you started crying, baby, I did too
But when the sun came up, I was looking at you
Remember when we couldn't take the heat?
I walked out, I said, "I'm setting you free"
But the monsters turned out to be just trees
When the sun came up, you were looking at me
You were looking at me, oh
You were looking at me
(Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods yet?)
(Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods?)
I remember
(Are we in the clear yet? Are we in the clear yet?)
(Are we in the clear yet, in the clear yet? Good)
Oh, I remember

Even Taylor loves this one so much she chose to sing it twice when DBATC was the surprise song in Arlington Texas.

My heart, my hips, my body, my love
Tryna find a part of me that you didn't touch
Gave up on me like I was a bad drug
Now I'm searching for signs in a haunted club
Our songs, our films, united we stand
Our country, guess it was a lawless land
Quiet my fears with the touch of your hand
Paper cut stings from our paper-thin plans
My time, my wine, my spirit, my trust
Tryna find a part of me you didn't take up
Gave you too much, but it wasn't enough
But I'll be alright, it's just a thousand cuts

If you haven't seen the TikTok videos of people running to this bridge, you aren't on the same side of TikTok I'm on. For me it was enough Taylor.

Back when we were still changin' for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you'd call
And say, "Meet me behind the mall"
So much for summer love and saying "us"
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose, no

Sing it with me, you know you want to. This reputation track is one of my favorite from the album thanks to Bonnie and Clyde.

We were jet-set, Bonnie and Clyde (Oh-oh)
Until I switched to the other side, to the other side
It's no surprise I turned you in (Oh-oh)
'Cause us traitors never win
I'm in a getaway car
I left you in a motel bar
Put the money in a bag and I stole the keys
That was the last time you ever saw me (Oh!)