Lizzo calls 'Bitch' her own Taylor's Version, and the comparison makes sense

Reclaiming the record

Lizzo is not shy about what she wanted to do with 'Bitch,' her new single that interpolates Meredith Brooks' song of the same name from the 1990s. In a Genius Verified episode posted on May 15, the artist spelled it out plainly: this is a reclamation, and she wanted everyone to know whose original work it builds on.

'Shout-out to Meredith Brooks,' Lizzo said. 'I want the whole world to know that this is her record.'

The Taylor's Version analogy

According to Billboard, Lizzo drew a direct comparison between her interpolation and Taylor Swift's ongoing re-recording project. Where Swift has re-released older albums under the 'Taylor's Version' label to reclaim ownership of her masters, Lizzo framed her take on Brooks' song in similar terms.

'I was like, this is Lizzo's Version,' she said with a smile. 'You know how it's like, Taylor's Version? It's like, Bitch (Lizzo's Version).'

The analogy is pointed. Swift began her re-recording process in 2021 after publicly opposing the sale of her master recordings to Scooter Braun. Lizzo's situation is different in legal terms, but the emotional throughline, taking back a narrative that felt out of her hands, is recognizable.

What the song carries

Lizzo was specific about the second verse, connecting it to the experience of Black women in the music industry who face scrutiny once they reach a certain level of success. 'I felt like I was carrying the experiences of every Black woman in the industry who became successful and then had to deal with allegations,' she said.

The single dropped on May 1 and serves as the lead track for her upcoming album, also titled Bitch, which is set to release on June 5.

A deliberate rollout

Lizzo has been vocal about the difficulty of promoting new music in the current landscape. The Genius Verified breakdown is part of a wider push to put the song's meaning front and center before the album arrives. Whether listeners come for the interpolation or the commentary, the intent is clear: she has a lot to say, and she intends to be heard.