Once again, Taylor Swift has managed the near-impossible: by doing something seemingly innocuous that has also unintentionally offended large swaths of people.
On Thursday, Swift released an Instagram video which teased at the release of a new version of her song “Delicate” and a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire’s classic funk hit “September.”
The cover is part of the Spotify Singles series, in which artists cover classic songs.
If you’ll recall, this is the original version of “September” (which you have absolutely heard, and don’t even pretend like you haven’t).
Well, Taylor’s version of “September” dropped today and is now available for streaming on Spotify.
Some Taylor stans were extremely excited about the new cover.
Taylor Swift’s September cover gives me feels like you’re with your favorite person in the car, driving at 90, windows down, wind on your face, blasting music vibes ✨
— Dale ✨ (@DaleSwifty) April 13, 2018
Excuse me everyone, @taylorswift13‘s cover of September makes me wish I was in love?? Or like ever ever in love? How does she do this?? ?
— Zainub Amir (@zainubamir) April 13, 2018
However, some people gave the cover a hard pass.
Quite a few people expressed major displeasure over Swift covering a song from a soul group and watering it down completely.
Not today, Satan. https://t.co/s9veOG4xIy
— April (@ReignOfApril) April 13, 2018
I’ll pass. https://t.co/3YPNHYjwZv
— Jordan Ramirez (@JRAM_91) April 13, 2018
This is the most disrespectful shit I’ve ever seen.
— killmonger fan acct (@NotActuallyDrew) April 13, 2018
People found the cover of the soul and funk classic to be “disrespectful.”
No one who respects Earth Wind and Fire or funk music would ever cover a song like that with banjos.
No one who loves that song takes a classic and makes it sound like unseasoned chicken.
— Ray (@YarmondShore) April 13, 2018
Maurice White didn’t found one of the greatest soul bands of all time to have Taylor Swift cover one of his biggest hits in mayonnaise and turn it into some ish people sing at open mic night.
This is an abomination. https://t.co/mwyYQMEPlb
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) April 13, 2018
Like … people were pissed.
Call it what it is. TERRORISM. https://t.co/8rQaonQsBs
— thugga OG (@tattedpoc) April 13, 2018
LISTEN HERE DAMMIT!!!!!!! WHAT WE NOT GONNA FUCKING DO IS COVER EARTH, WIND AND FIRE. THAT’S WHERE I DRAW THE FUCKING LINE. https://t.co/bONnerbLHw
— YOU CHILLING WITH OTHER DOGS?!?!? (@I_Exude_Sarcasm) April 13, 2018
I don’t even think they play this in hell https://t.co/pD4BlnwMpM
— Kofie (@KofieYeboah) April 13, 2018
I’d rather stick a screwdriver in my ear and keep pushing until it pierces my soul. https://t.co/fh36bRc6wE
— Kristian (@vonstrenginho) April 13, 2018
— Charmspeak (@azzleprock) April 13, 2018
While it does admittedly seem somewhat blasphemous for Taylor to take such a classic and turn it into a standard, oversaturated pop song, it’s unlikely to matter to Tay-Tay — particularly considering that all of this controversy is only bound to increase the song’s streaming potential.