Todd Rundgren criticizes Taylor Swift and the modern music industry

Veteran musician and producer Todd Rundgren has sparked controversy following an interview with Vulture, in which he criticized pop star Taylor Swift, calling her the ‘apotheosis of mediocrity.’ Rundgren, known for producing Meat Loaf’s ‘Bat Out of Hell,’ stated that there is an argument to be made that Swift has ‘ruined music.’

Rundgren offered a theory regarding the current dominance of female artists in the mainstream market. He suggested that the shift began in the 1990s when young male consumers diverted their spending from music to video games. This, he argued, led the industry to pivot toward younger female audiences and their disposable income, resulting in the rise of artists like Swift, Pink, and Lady Gaga.

While Rundgren praised Lady Gaga as a ‘real musician’ and a ‘classically trained piano player,’ he was dismissive of Swift, claiming she is not a great singer, songwriter, or dancer, and stating she ‘doesn’t do anything particularly great except grow hair.’