Taylor Swift Says Critics Can Fuel Her Music and Inspire Her Lyrics

Taylor Swift says criticism from the public can sometimes inspire her music.

During a recent conversation with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, Swift discussed how she handles negative comments about her work. The interview, recorded Aug. 18, was released on YouTube Monday.

“Sometimes when people are mocking me, it’s really fun to mock them back,” Swift said. She added that she sometimes uses words in her songs that critics “have to look up” to understand.

Swift, 14-time Grammy winner, said she has developed ways to cope with criticism over her long career. She reminds herself that she chose the pressures that come with being a musician because she loves making music.

She also said focusing on her fans helps her stay true to her creative vision. Swift noted that releasing music she loves does not guarantee universal approval, but continuing to create shows that she is doing it for the right reasons.

Swift released her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, last October.