Keith Urban Dishes On ’Extraordinary’ Taylor Swift, His Ariana Grande Obsession (Exclusive)

Keith Urban has nothing to say about Taylor Swift — and that’s a massive compliment.

The country singer, who spoke with PEOPLE after announcing his Las Vegas residency, has long been a Swift fan. However, he’s just run out of superlatives for the “So High School” singer after the release of her The Tortured Poets Department album. 

“I mean, God, Taylor’s songwriting, it’s so extraordinary. There’s really no adjectives for it,” Urban tells PEOPLE. “She’s such a great, great writer. So this new album is just more proof of that in really great ways.”

Taylor Swift and Keith Urban in 2013.
Chris Polk/Getty

While Urban has been listening to Swift’s latest creation, he’s been really binging on Ariana Grande’s latest single, “We Can’t Be Friends,” equating it to a drug.

“I don’t know what is going on with that song, but I cannot stop playing it. It’s like audible heroin. Literally, I have to have another hit,” he said. “I play that thing over and over and over.”

Luckily for Urban, he saw Grande perform “We Can’t Be Friends” at the Met Gala on May 6, which he attended with his wife, Nicole Kidman. 

Grande’s song, which was released in March, has “some real celestial magic,” Urban said, adding, “That’s my absolute current obsession song right now.”

His daughters, Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, weren’t even the ones to turn him onto Grande’s song either. 

Keith Urban in April 2024.

John Shearer/Getty


“I’ve always liked Ariana anyway,” Urban tells PEOPLE. “She doesn’t sound like anyone. It’s like Taylor. I like singers that you know their voice immediately, and there’s a lot of other singers that sound like them, but they don’t sound like anyone.”

Urban adds, “Ariana has always had that unique vocal gift. On top of that, she’s a phenomenal writer and producer. So it was easy for me to stumble upon that new album. I was interested in it before it came out.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Ariana Grande at the Met Gala on May 6, 2024.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty


Urban has a new song of his own out as well, having released “Go Home W U” featuring Lainey Wilson last Friday. That song and many others will certainly be featured in Urban’s just-announced 10-show Las Vegas residency, dubbed “High,” at Fontainebleau’s BleuLive Theater.

”Go Home W U” is the third single he’s released from this forthcoming album.

“I’ve got a lot of relief from getting new music out and really excited for the rest to come out,” he says. 

Urban is scheduled to perform at Fontainebleau’s BleuLive Theater on Oct. 4, 5, 9, 11, and 12; Feb. 14, 15, 19, 21, and 22

‘Chicago Med’ Star Torrey DeVitto Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby

Torrey DeVitto is going to be a mom! The Chicago Med actress, 39, revealed she is pregnant and expecting her ...

Who Is The Undertaker’s Wife? All About WWE Star Michelle McCool

The Undertaker has been married to his wife, Michelle McCool, since 2010. The Undertaker, born Mark Calaway, is considered one ...

IPL 2024 Playoffs KKR vs SRH 1st 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗿 Kolkata Knight Riders will play against Hyderabad Eliminator RCB vs RR

IPL 2024 Playoffs: The last league match of IPL 2024 was canceled due to rain. This match was to be ...

Adele Celebrates Rich Paul’s Daughter’s Graduation

Adele is sending some love to her “stepdaughter!” During her May 17 Las Vegas show, the 36-year-old singer took a ...

Brittany and Patrick Mahomes make surprise appearance at Kelce Jam

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes surprised Kansas City fans at Travis Kelce’s annual Kelce Jam on Saturday. Kelce had the entire ...

Ben Affleck Wears Wedding Ring amid Rumors of Jennifer Lopez Marriage Issues

Ben Affleck was spotted wearing his wedding ring on Sunday, May 19, amid ongoing rumors of tension in his marriage ...

James Lafferty Goes Shirtless for Campaign, ‘One Tree Hill’ Castmates React

James Lafferty's shirtless pics could send a heatwave through social media — and his former One Tree Hill costars wish ...

Kate Hudson Reveals Her Son Bingham, 12, Is ‘Really into the Stock Market’

Kate Hudson's son is already preparing for his future. Speaking to PEOPLE for this week's cover story, the actress and ...

IPL 2024 Five legends from Faf du Plessis to MS Dhoni who can retire before IPL 2025 Shikhar Dhawan Dinesh Karthik

From Faf du Plessis to MS Dhoni retirement: IPL 2024 has reached its peak. Veteran players have performed brilliantly in ...

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny are ‘having fun together’ amid reconciliation rumors

Reconciliation rumors between Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny are heating up. The 818 founder – who was spotted at the ...

Leave a Comment