LOS ANGELES: Fans of Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga have ignited a wave of speculation, questioning whether Swift secretly contributed background vocals or even lyrics to Gaga’s new song How Bad Do U Want Me.
The track, part of Gaga’s latest album Mayhem, has drawn comparisons to Swift’s signature style, with some listeners convinced they can hear her voice in the background.
The rumours gained traction soon after the album’s release on 7 March, with fans taking to social media to analyse the song’s sound.
🚨| Taylor Swift *allegedly* is singing the background vocals of Lady Gaga’s song “How Bad Do You Want Me” pic.twitter.com/N7YMEISJhZ
— swiftiesflorals (@swiftiesflorals) March 7, 2025
Some drew parallels to Swift’s Blank Space, while others compared it to her collaboration with Lana Del Rey on Snow on the Beach, where Del Rey’s vocals were initially subdued.
“Not Taylor Swift having her Snow on the Beach moment on Mayhem,” one fan tweeted.
Another user on X (formerly Twitter) asked, “Am I hearing Taylor Swift or is my sleep-deprived mind making stuff up?”
when taylor swift jumps on the how bad do u want me remix and we go number 1 for 30 weeks pic.twitter.com/dzLB8cUudW
— 🦠uuᴉnbʎǝlɹɐƃ (@aquaaa96) March 6, 2025
Adding to the speculation, some fans believe Swift may have contributed to the lyrics.
A particular verse—”You like my hair and my ripped-up jeans—you like the bad girl I got in me. She’s on your mind, like, all the time, but I got a tattoo for us last week”—has led some to speculate that Swift’s signature songwriting style is present on the track.
How Bad Do U Want Me sound like from 1989 album. I did purchase 1989. feel like Taylor swift inside Lady gaga body 😆 no hate I love both of them #MAYHEM pic.twitter.com/eOiflkYFeg
— MAYHEM OUT NOW (@izwanhs) March 6, 2025
However, a source confirmed to Us Weekly on Friday that Swift is not featured on How Bad Do U Want Me. Neither Swift nor Gaga has publicly addressed the rumours.
The mutual admiration between the two pop icons has further fuelled the frenzy.
In an interview with Vogue, Gaga praised Swift, saying, “I love Taylor Swift… Just go!” Swift has also expressed admiration for Gaga’s versatility, telling Time last year, “When people think she’s gonna go one way, she goes the exact opposite… That’s so cool, that ability to be so capable in so many different worlds.”
While Swift may not be involved in How Bad Do U Want Me, fans remain hopeful that a collaboration between the two could materialise in the future.
