John Mayer reflects on ‘Paper Doll’ – believed to be about Taylor Swift

nme.com:

John Mayer has reflected upon his song ‘Paper Doll’, which is believed to have been written about Taylor Swift.The lyrics of the decade-old song were brought into the spotlight again after Mayer performed the track during a concert in Sacramento, California, on Saturday (April 8) — the same day that rumours emerged that Taylor Swift called it quits with boyfriend of six years, Joe Alwyn.When the track was first released, some fans criticised the singer and guitarist for his lyrics and speculated that they were written about Swift after the two split.

However, Mayer has never stated that the song was aimed at the ‘Anti-Hero’ singer.In clips recorded at last week’s gig, Mayer explains that the “sarcastic” and “bitchy” lyrics in the song were misunderstood by fans, and that the track was written from a place of “hurt” rather than anger.“I wonder if people don’t like it because it sounds a little pissed off.

I don’t really like ‘pissed off.’ … I think it was more ‘hurt,’” he said to the crowd at the Golden 1 Centre.“But is there something about it that’s a little bitchy?

There might be,” he continued. “I try not to get bitchiness in the songs, and it happens sometimes. … I guess I don’t do it very well, ‘sarcastic bitchy.’”John Mayer reflecting on his Paper Doll lyrics #johnmayer #johnmayersolotour #taylorswift #couldveshouldvewouldve #dearjohn #paperdoll ♬ original sound – Covidcovers Upon its release in 2013, fans believed that the track was a response to ‘Dear John’ – a song released by Taylor Swift in 2010 after the pair’s relationship came to an end.