Mashable reports:
At midnight on Friday, Taylor Swift dropped her new track “You Need To Calm Down,” in what is her most political effort yet. Sitting just under three minutes, the single is a markedly less saccharine experience than her last single “ME!”, but it’s the lyrics, ardent in their support for the LGBTQ community, which has got the internet very excited.
The first verse is a general middle finger to her internet critics, but then by the second verse, the song takes clear aim at homophobes. It’s perfect timing given it’s currently Pride month, and the lyrics aren’t subtle about those who are against the LGBTQ community.
Swift sings, “You are somebody that we don’t know / But you’re comin’ at my friends like a missile / Why are you mad when you could be GLAAD? / Sunshine on the street at the parade / But you would rather be in the dark ages / Makin’ that sign must’ve taken all night.”
GLAAD reacts via press release:
“Taylor Swift is one of the world’s biggest pop stars,” said Anthony Ramos, Director of Talent Engagement at GLAAD. “The fact that she continues to use her platform and music to support the LGBTQ community and the Equality Act is a true sign of being an ally. ‘You Need to Calm Down’ is the perfect Pride anthem, and we’re thrilled to see Taylor standing with the LGBTQ community to promote inclusivity, equality, and acceptance this Pride month.”
omg she really did that pic.twitter.com/KeG7JTvdBL
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 14, 2019
“CAUSE SHADE NEVER MADE ANYBODY LESS GAY”
She ended homophobic locals.
— Taylor Swift Facts (@TSwiftFTC) June 14, 2019
Honestly though, #YouNeedToCalmDown talks about self-expression, bullying, double standards, being gay, AND it’s an 80s synth-esque bop. Thank you, @taylorswift13. pic.twitter.com/zjNgLqcAxH
— Ryan Schocket (@RyanSchocket) June 14, 2019
After penning a letter to her senator about the Equality Act, Taylor’s new single features these lines: “And control your urges to scream about all the people you hate/‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay” pic.twitter.com/R9yAmkJptJ
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) June 14, 2019