Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all,' Taylor Swift sings on 'But Daddy I Love Him.' It's the song on which her new album The Tortured Poets Department finally gains some momentum, six tracks in.
Pretending she's pregnant by the bad boy of whom they disapprove-just to see the looks on their faces-is one of the best of the jokes with which Swift tries (and sometimes strains) to alleviate the core sadness of this collection of songs.
The second half of the track makes another startling pivot when she directs some of the same sarcastic ire at some of her own fan base, which she's always carefully trained to view her as a mutually adoring best friend or big sister.
What feels less healthy, and not so grown up, is that the former child star still can't seem to feel good about herself without seeking out enemies she can complain are treating her unfairly.
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