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Who said it: Mayor Bill Mutz or Taylor Swift?

Both are known for a good turn of phrase, but can you decipher which quotes came from Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz or Grammy winner Taylor Swift? Put your skills to the test.

A photo illustration of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, smiling in a red and blue plaid jacket, next to a photo of Taylor Swift.

Both are known for a turn of phrase, but who penned these inspirational quotes?

Photos by City of Lakeland and Cosmopolitan UK via Wikimedia Commons

Have your social media feeds been taken over by orange glitter since singer Taylor Swift announced her new album? Same. We’re hopping on the trend with a test: Try to decipher if these quotes came from Mayor Bill Mutz or Taylor Swift.

We reached into the archives of Mutz’s “Mayor’s Minute” articles he wrote for LALtoday during his first term — then we did the same through Swift’s songs, speeches, and interviews. Show how well you know Swan City vs. Swiftie lore by taking our quiz.

  1. “When we use our minutes wisely and capture nervy moments, our skills will help contribute to a thriving future.”
  2. “So as a rule, I try not to give anyone unsolicited advice unless they ask for it.”
  3. “We live in an era of rapid change.”
  4. “They might be bigger, but we’re faster and never scared.”
  5. “I wanna tell you not to get lost in these petty things. Your nemeses will defeat themselves before you get a chance to swing.”
  6. “Never be so kind, you forget to be clever. Never be so clever, you forget to be kind.”
  7. “Art should be an emphasis presence wherever possible.
  8. “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”
  9. “Interestingly, we primarily grow as we overcome struggles in life, not during the good times.”
  10. “This era is not a time for ‘whatever.’ Instead, it is a time for ‘whatever it takes!’”
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