Taylor Swift, the Grammy-winning artist currently on her blockbuster Eras Tour in America, surprised fans by performing her Kanye West diss track “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” for the first time since 2018. During her concert at Seattle’s Lumen Field, Swift amused the audience with an acoustic rendition of the song. She burst into fits of laughter, which has become a signature element of her performances of this track. After composing herself, Swift jokingly admitted, “I can’t even say it with a straight face.”
Fans React to the Surprise Performance
Fans were quick to react to the unexpected performance of “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.” One fan pointed out that Swift was caught off guard by her own laughter and needed a moment to recover. Another fan expressed their admiration for Swift’s scream after the laughter. The surprise performance delighted many fans, with some joking that Swift’s laughter was a personal message. There was speculation that she saved this song for a Los Angeles performance in case Kim Kardashian, West’s ex-wife, and their daughter North West were in attendance.
The Origin of Taylor Swift and Kanye West’s Feud
The feud between Taylor Swift and Kanye West began at the 2009 VMAs when West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Video by a Female Artist. While it seemed that they had made amends in the following years, West released a track titled “Famous” in 2016, claiming he had Swift’s permission to refer to her as “that bitch” in the lyrics. Swift disputed this claim, leading Kardashian to release a recorded conversation between Swift and West, branding Swift a “snake.”
Taylor Swift’s Response and Artistic Expression
In response to the backlash she faced after Kardashian’s video seemed to support West’s narrative, Swift turned to music to cope with the situation. She explained in a Vogue interview that the experience of being publicly shamed and “canceled” was incredibly isolating. Swift recognized the need to create music to survive and maintain her mental health. Writing new songs became her way of telling the story and expressing the humiliation she endured. Alongside “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” fans also speculate that “Look What You Made Me Do” was inspired by the feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
In summary, Taylor Swift delighted fans by performing her Kanye West diss track “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” during her concert in Seattle. Fans reacted positively to the surprise performance, with many appreciating Swift’s infectious laughter. The feud between Swift and Kanye West originated from the 2009 VMAs incident, and their subsequent music releases and public spats intensified the conflict. Swift found solace in creating music to express her experience and combat the isolation of public shaming.