‘If Taylor Swift asked me out, I’d say no’: Sir Tim Rice, 79, jokes he’d turn down the 34-year-old star if she propositioned him because ‘every time she falls out with somebody the poor bloke gets slaughtered in her next song’

Legendary lyricist Sir Tim Rice has humorously remarked that he would decline a date with global pop sensation Taylor Swift, jesting that “every time she falls out with somebody, the poor bloke gets slaughtered in her next song.”

The 79-year-old, renowned for his acclaimed works such as Evita, Chess, and The Lion King, confessed to feeling “depressed” by modern pop music.

In a wide-ranging interview, the Oscar-winning lyricist discussed his favorite musicians, films, and books, while also sharing his opinions on those that don’t quite capture his enthusiasm.

Sir Tim Rice, a prolific lyricist with a remarkable career spanning from the 1960s, boasts an impressive collection of awards including an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Renowned for his collaborations with Elton John and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, he shared his fond memories of early rock’n’roll, citing artists like Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, and Buddy Holly as sources of joy during his teenage years.

Reflecting on contemporary pop music, Sir Tim expressed a sense of melancholy, noting a trend towards self-centered and somber themes. Despite acknowledging the talent of artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift, he couldn’t help but observe a pervasive unhappiness in their music. In a tongue-in-cheek remark, Sir Tim quipped about Swift’s tendency to immortalize her grievances in song, jesting that he would politely decline if she were to ask him out.

Legendary lyricist Sir Tim Rice (pictured) has joked that he would turn town global pop phenomenon Taylor Swift if she asked him out

Rice said of Swift (pictured): ‘Every time she falls out with somebody, the poor bloke gets slaughtered in the next song.’

The couple has been practically inseparable since Taylor Swift returned to the States following the Australia and Asia legs of her extensive Eras Tour last month. They recently enjoyed a sunny vacation on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, appearing completely relaxed and content as they spent time together on the beach.

Sir Tim’s comments come amidst Swift’s official entry into the billionaire club on Tuesday. She soared to the fourteenth spot on the Forbes 2024 rich list, boasting a staggering $1.1 billion fortune.

In addition to discussing Swift, Sir Tim revealed his admiration for PG Wodehouse, citing the Jeeves and Wooster novels as influential on his and Lloyd Webber’s work. He also shared that his favorite piece of music is Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony, describing it as “typically Scandinavian and slightly chilling, but very warm on the inside.”

Furthermore, Sir Tim disclosed the lyric he wished he had written: Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran. He praised the song as “a wonderful rock’n’roll tune with a clever, witty lyric depicting the life of a frustrated teenager.”

Sir Tim is best known for his collaborations with Elton John and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber (left)

Rice has worked on a number of hits including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (pictured), The Lion King and Jesus Christ Superstar

Taylor and Travis – pictured sharing a smooch at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory party in Las Vegas February

Swift and Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce embrace after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII

Sir Tim Rice revealed his diverse tastes, citing Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia” as his favorite play and expressing anticipation for James Graham’s “Dear England.” He disclosed his current fascination with Ken Burns’ Leonardo da Vinci box set and declared “Frasier” as his all-time favorite TV series. When it comes to film, he named “Genevieve” as his top pick. In literature, he expressed admiration for Roger McGough’s “Let Me Die a Young Man’s Death.” Sir Tim shared that he feels happiest in Cornwall or in bed, preferably both. For his fantasy dinner party, he would invite esteemed lyricists such as Jerry Leiber, Sammy Cahn, Hal David, Oscar Hammerstein, Larry Hart, and Alan Jay Lerner, alongside Gilbert, with whom he could exchange thoughts about Sullivan.