Maya Hawke praises Taylor Swift’s songwriting brilliance

Maya Hawke has captured the attention of Taylor Swift fans after sharing her thoughts on the singer’s songwriting, describing her music as a powerful form of storytelling that explores human emotions, historical themes and original ideas.

The Stranger Things actress, who is a devoted Swift fan, recently discussed which songs by the global pop superstar deserved a place in an “American anthology of poetry.” Rather than selecting some of Swift’s most commercially successful hits, Hawke chose two tracks that showcase the singer’s ability to create detailed narratives through music.

Her selections were “But Daddy I Love Him” and “Betty,” two songs that offer different perspectives on love, relationships and personal experiences.

Explaining her choices, Hawke highlighted the literary qualities of Swift’s songwriting, suggesting that the singer’s lyrics go beyond conventional pop music by presenting complete stories with meaningful themes and distinctive characters.

“They tell a full story like an epic poetry. They do it without using clichés. They tell an original story that plays on themes and historical ideas,” Hawke said while discussing the tracks.

The actress also praised the songs for their completeness, describing them as “extremely complete, kind of epic journeys.” She expressed admiration for Swift’s ability to communicate complex ideas and emotions within the limited duration of a song.

Hawke further described the singer’s lyrics as “concentrated humanity,” a phrase that reflects how Swift can capture complicated human experiences in carefully crafted verses.

Her comments offered a fresh perspective on Swift’s music, highlighting the storytelling techniques that have become an important part of the singer’s artistic identity.

Why Maya Hawke selected ‘But Daddy I Love Him’ and ‘Betty’

Both songs demonstrate Swift’s approach to songwriting, although they explore different situations and emotional perspectives.

“But Daddy I Love Him,” featured on Swift’s 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, explores themes of love, independence and resistance to outside judgment. The song follows a narrator who refuses to let other people dictate her romantic choices, presenting a story about personal freedom and standing up to social expectations.

Its narrative style, emotional intensity and references to public scrutiny give the track a broader meaning beyond a conventional love song.

Meanwhile, “Betty,” from Swift’s 2020 album Folklore, tells a story involving teenage relationships, regret and the possibility of reconciliation. The song is narrated from the perspective of James, who reflects on his mistakes and hopes to repair his relationship with Betty.

The track forms part of a collection of interconnected stories on Folklore, demonstrating Swift’s interest in writing from different perspectives and creating fictional characters with distinct emotional experiences.

Hawke’s selection of these songs highlights the narrative depth that can be found throughout Swift’s discography.

Taylor Swift fans celebrate Hawke’s analysis

Hawke’s appreciation for Swift’s songwriting quickly attracted attention from fans, with many taking to social media to praise her choices and the way she explained their literary significance.

Several fans were particularly pleased to see “Betty” receive recognition, arguing that the song deserves more appreciation within Swift’s fan community.

One fan wrote, “Betty doesn’t get enough praise from the fandom. Thank you Maya!”

Another praised her selection of the 2024 track, commenting, “But daddy I love him is acc such a deep and iconic answer.”

Other fans expressed admiration for Hawke’s understanding of Swift’s artistic approach. One person wrote, “More reasons to like Maya. Great song choices and analysis,” while another enthusiastically agreed with her perspective.

Some fans also pointed out that Swift has previously served as an important source of inspiration for Hawke.

Comments celebrating the actress continued to appear, with one admirer writing, “I LIKE THIS QUEEN EVEN MORE.”

Hawke’s remarks have added to the ongoing conversation about Swift’s songwriting, drawing attention to the storytelling, character development and emotional complexity that distinguish many of her songs.

By selecting “But Daddy I Love Him” and “Betty,” the actress demonstrated how Swift’s music can be appreciated not only for its melodies but also for the stories and human experiences woven into its lyrics.