How does Tim McGraw feel about Taylor Swift?

Taylor Swift's debut single "Tim McGraw" turns 15 this year and, on Tuesday, the actual Tim McGraw opened up about what he really thought about the hit song.

Speaking to Apple Music, the country legend admitted that he was shocked when he first learned of the song, which was performed by Swift when she was just 16.

MORE: Taylor Swift reveals she's been cutting her own hair while in COVID-19 lockdown

"I was a little apprehensive about it when I first heard it," the three-time Grammy winner confessed, according to Just Jared. "Then I thought, 'Have I gotten to that age now to where they’re singing songs about me? Does that mean I’ve jumped the shark a bit? Is everything still cool?'"

McGraw said that, upon giving the song more thought, he saw it in a completely different light.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images, FILE

"Then I realized that somebody had told me that she was in her 7th grade math class when she wrote the song, so it made me feel a little bit better about that because she was so young writing it. So I didn’t feel like I was that terribly old," he laughed.

Swift went on to open for McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, on their Soul2Soul II tour in 2007, a time the "I Called Mama" singer remembers fondly because he was so impressed by her stage presence. Plus, he admits her acoustic guitar skills blew him away.

MORE: Tim McGraw calls wife Faith Hill 'the best person I've ever known' in birthday post

"She has such a unique way of connecting with her audience, and her songwriting ability and her intuition is just so incredible," McGraw gushed. "I just think she’s one of the greatest artists to come along in a long time."

Beyond touring together, McGraw and Swift partnered with Keith Urban on the 2013 single "Highway Don't Care," which was nominated for a Grammy and won a slew of other awards.

Tim McGraw admits he was 'a little apprehensive' about Taylor Swift naming her 2006 debut single after him

Published: 15:14 AEDT, 20 January 2021 | Updated: 16:09 AEDT, 20 January 2021

Back in 2006, Taylor Swift famously named her debut single after him.

And Tim McGraw opened up about being the inspiration for Swift's breakout hit, nearly 15 years after its release, in a recent interview with Apple Music.

Although the 53-year-old country crooner was impressed with the song, he admitted that he was 'a little apprehensive about it when [he] first heard it.'

Reflecting: Tim McGraw opened up about being the inspiration for Taylor Swift's breakout hit, nearly 15 years after its release, in a recent interview with Apple Music; McGraw pictured in 2019

'Then I thought, have I gotten to that age now to where they’re singing songs about me? Does that mean I’ve jumped the shark a bit? Is everything still cool?' recalled McGraw. 

Tim's insecurities were quickly squashed after he learned that Taylor had penned the heartbreaking balled when she was in the seventh grade, proving his relevancy.  

'And then I realized that somebody had told me that she was in her 7th grade math class when she wrote the song, so it made me feel a little bit better about that because she was so young writing it. 

'So I didn't feel like I was that terribly old…' joked McGraw, who has since performed alongside Swift on numerous occasions.

Tim McGraw: Back in 2006, Taylor Swift famously named her debut single after him

During the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, Taylor performed a live rendition of Tim McGraw.

And during her performance, Swift made her way into the audience with her guitar to introduce herself to McGraw and his wife Faith Hill, 53. 

The couple, who wed in 1996, also joined Swift on stage during her Reputation World Tour in 2018 to perform the 2006 single as a trio. 

McGraw also collaborated on an original song with the Lover songstress in 2013. 

Iconic: During the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, Taylor performed a live rendition of Tim McGraw; McGraw and Swift pictured in 2007

Also featured on the collaborative single, titled Highway Don't Care, was fellow country artist Keith Urban.

Highway Don't Care was featured on McGraw's twelfth studio album Two Lanes of Freedom.

Speaking to Apple Music about working with Swift, McGraw described the experience as  'incredible.'  

First meeting: And during her performance, Swift made her way into the audience with her guitar to introduce herself to McGraw and his wife Faith Hill, 53; Faith, Taylor, and Tim pictured in 2007

Reunion: Tim and Faith joined Swift on stage during her Reputation World Tour in 2018 to perform the 2006 single as a trio; Taylor, Tim, and Faith pictured in 2018

'It was just her and her guitar and one other person. Just two people, her and another guy playing,' he recalled of their songwriting session, adding that he is 'a big fan of Taylor's.'

'I think that she has just such a unique way of connecting with her audience and her songwriting ability and her intuition is just so incredible. 

'And I just think she's one of the greatest artists to come along in a long time,' he gushed.

Collaborating: McGraw also collaborated on an original song with the Lover songstress in 2013; Keith Urban, Tim, and Taylor pictured in 2013

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