Aaron Dessner Says 'Death Wish' Predated Live Cut by Months, Rejects Taylor Swift Theory
Updated
Updated · Billboard · Jul 22
Aaron Dessner Says 'Death Wish' Predated Live Cut by Months, Rejects Taylor Swift Theory
1 articles · Updated · Billboard · Jul 22
Summary
Aaron Dessner said Gracie Abrams’ studio version of “Death Wish” was the original, written months before the live piano take fans had treated as the song’s first form.
The producer also flatly rejected speculation that Taylor Swift inspired the lyrics, saying Abrams wrote the song about a friend’s ex in a bad relationship.
Dessner said his 6-year collaboration with Abrams has made them close personally, but they usually leave songs’ real-life subjects largely unspoken in the studio.
On Abrams’ July 17 album Daughter From Hell, he said some more obvious pop songs were left off because she prioritized the most artistically compelling material over chart-chasing.