After concluding his farewell tour, ‘Adios Mofo ’23,’ in July, Ted Nugent shared his views on modern music during an appearance on ‘The Joe Pags Show.’ Nugent directed criticism towards Taylor Swift, accusing her of negatively impacting ‘real music’ and labeling her work as ‘cartoon music.’
Expressing his concerns about the state of the music industry, Nugent stated:
“So, I’m afraid to say in this world that’s gone down the toilet in all aspects, I’m afraid the success of Taylor Swift, and God bless her work ethic, God bless her musical dreams, but that’s cartoon music. I mean, it doesn’t have any piss and vinegar. There’s no fire; there’s no sensuality in that. It’s all poppy nonsense as far as I’m concerned, and it’s the most popular stuff in the world, which is an indictment to the music industry and music fans.”
Continuing to lament the perceived lack of intensity in contemporary music, Nugent mentioned older bands like ZZ Top, Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels, Brownsville Station, and Amboy Dukes, expressing a longing for the passion and energy they brought. Nugent asserted that he and his music still embody the fire akin to what The Beatles delivered in their early days.
These comments echo Nugent’s previous criticisms of Taylor Swift’s music, which he had previously labeled as ‘cartoonish’ on an episode of his show, ‘The Nightly Nuge,’ in October. Nugent acknowledged his gratitude for being born in an era that embraced ‘quality music’ and commended bands like Foo Fighters for attempting to carry on the tradition. However, he maintained his perspective that newer artists lack the same ‘fire’ as their predecessors.
Using Taylor Swift’s music as an example, Nugent described it as sounding like ‘cartoon music,’ suggesting that it resembled the soundtrack of a children’s cartoon show rather than embodying the qualities he associates with authentic and instinctive music. He criticized the formulaic nature of Swift’s music, arguing that it lacked the organic, instinctive, sexy, unleashed, genuine, and believable qualities that he values in music.
