On " thanK you aIMee , " Taylor severalise her rowdy , " I changed your name , and any real defining cue . " However , the strategic capitalization spells out Kim — seemingly referencing Kim Kardashian ’s part in Taylor ’s feud with Kanye West .
The wait is over! Taylor Swift’s new albumThe Tortured Poets Departmentis finally here — times two! Like me, you’re probably running on three hours of sleep and a big ol' mug of coffee after she dropped the surprise double album last night. I’m blown away by how devastatingly honest and beautifully introspective the lyrics seem. Now that I’ve had a little bit of time to pick my jaw up off the floor, I decided to do a bit of a deeper lyrical analysis.
Of course, as Taylor said onTwitter, “This period of the author’s life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up” and “there is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed.” We can be critical of the past without being cruel. So, as we look back on the last few years to understand her art, please remember to check your weapons at the door of the Tortured Poets Department. ❤️
So, here are 41 timesTaylor Swift(seemingly) referencedJoe Alwyn,Travis Kelce, and other headlines inThe Tortured Poets Department:
Also , just a note that I ’m not going to bring up every single Sung — especially not the ones that do n’t seem super obvious in meaning to me . I do n’t know Taylor ’s fondness or mind !
1.“The Tortured Poets Department” contains a possible reference toThe 1975song “Chocolate” in the line, “You smoked, then ate seven bars of chocolate.” It’s possibly an allusion to her month-long relationship with lead singerMatty Healy.
In " Chocolate , " Matty Healy excellently apply " chocolate " as a euphemism for weed .
2.“My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” seemingly references reports that romantically linked Taylor and Matty all the way back in 2014 with the line, “There was a litany of reasons why we could’ve played for keeps this time.”
After Taylor take care a The 1975 concert in 2014 , Matty toldShazam Top 20 , " I assemble Taylor Swift , that was really nice . We convert numbers . Let ’s see what happens … I mean , fucking hell , what am I going to do ? Go out with Taylor Swift ? She ’s a sensation . I would n’t say no . "
Then in 2016 , he toldQ Magazine , " I do n’t do anything else , right , so it does n’t leave a lot of room for me going out or shag someone . So the one time I did have a flirtation with a girl , it end up run everywhere … I mean , I got on E ! News and masses were like , ' Who ’s Matty Healy ? ' so that was cool . But I did n’t make a big deal out of it myself . It ’s not really anything to speak about , because if she was n’t Taylor Swift , we would n’t be talking about her . She was n’t a giving impact on my life story . It ’s interesting to me how interested the world is about Taylor Swift . "
3.“Down Bad” seemingly references thenegative public reactionto Taylor’s relationship with Matty on the line, “I’ll build you a fort on some planet where they can all understand it.”
4.In the “Down Bad” line “‘Cause fuck it, I was in love,” she also alludes to their relationship feeling serious to her despite its brevity, evoking the moment during a Nashville stop on the Eras Tour where — with Matty in attendance — sheseeminglymouthed, “This is about you. You know who you are. I love you.”
5.“So Long, London” appears to be a fairly obvious reference toreportsthat, during her six-year relationship with Joe Alwyn, they lived together in London.
6.In “So Long, London,” she sings, “You left me at the house by the Heath.” This is possibly linked torumorsthat she and Joe were looking for a house in Hamstead Heath or St. John’s Wood in London in 2023.
At the clock time Beauchamp Estates ' St John ’s Wood office head Rosy Khalastchy evidence theStandard , " This is the giving gossip all over the cardinal London super - quality market at present . There is always vast fervour when someone super famous is house - hunt . We are led to believe that Taylor Swift is look in St John ’ ' Wood and Hampstead for a planetary house to live in ; I am told she currently lives in Primrose Hill . Taylor has been looking for a period sign of the zodiac with a garden , and crucially looking at roads and addresses that will render her with privateness , security and discretion . "
7.And the line “And I’m pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free” is likely a reference to Taylor spending her late 20s and early 30s with Joe before thedissolution of their relationshipin 2023.
8.“But Daddy I Love Him"appearsto contain multiple references to thepublic criticismof her short-lived relationship with Matty and her decision to stick with him despite it.
Specifically , lines like " Too gamy a horse for a simple missy to rise above it / They thrash the door on my whole world / The one thing I wanted " and " No , I ’m not coming to my senses / I know he ’s dotty , but he ’s the one I want . "
Personally , this is what the Song dynasty brings to bear in mind : During a Foxborough , Massachusetts stop on the Eras Tour amidst their human relationship , Taylorreportedlytold the crowd , " It ’s insane . I kind of just palpate like telling you , that I do n’t know , that just … I ’ve never been this happy in my life , in all face of my sprightliness , ever before . "
9.“Fresh Out the Slammer” seemingly referencesreportsthat Taylor moved on with Matty shortly after her breakup with Joe (and her alleged history with Matty) with the line, “Fresh out the slammer / I know who my first call will be to.”
10.And the line “Another summer, takin’ cover, rolling thunder” seemingly refers to Joe’s desire to keep their relationship private.
In 2022 , Joe toldElle UK , " It ’s not really [ because I ] want to be guard and private , it ’s more a reaction to something else . We live in a finish that is so progressively intrusive … The more you give — and frankly , even if you do n’t give it — something will be hold . "
11.“Guilty as Sin?” also seemingly references public criticism of her relationship with Matty andaccusationshe was “ruining” her public image, particularly these lines: “What if I roll the stone away? / They’re gonna crucify me anyway / What if the way you hold me is actually what’s holy? / If long-suffering propriety is what they want from me / They don’t know how you’ve haunted me so stunningly / I choose you and me religiously.”
12.“Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” seemingly references criticism Taylor has faced throughout her career — particularly that she’s too emotional andtoo litigious— in these lines: “I’m always drunk on my own tears, isn’t that what they all said? / That I’ll sue you if you step on my lawn / That I’m fearsome and I’m wretched and I’m wrong / Put narcotics into all of my songs / And that’s why you’re still singin' along.”
13.“I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” seemingly references Matty, his smoking, and possibly his insensitive jokes that contributed to public derision of her decision to date him with the opening lines: “The smoke cloud billows out his mouth / Like a freight train through a small town / The jokes that he told across the bar / Were revolting and far too loud.”
14.“I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” also seemingly contains further allusions to her reaction to public outcry regarding her relationship with Matty. She sings, “They shake their heads sayin', ‘God, help her’ / When I tell ‘em he’s my man / But your good Lord doesn’t need to lift a finger / I can fix him, no, really, I can.”
15.I’m going to preface this by saying it’s probably a highly unlikely stretch, but when I saw the title of “loml,” the first thing that came to mind was a since-deletedInstagrampost Matty made in 2020 where he called this then-girlfriend FKA Twigs an “icon,” “legend,” and “loml.”
16.“Loml” seemingly references Taylor and Matty’s alleged history with lines like “Who’s gonna stop us from waltzing back into rekindled flames / If we know the steps anyway?”
17.And lines like “You and I go from one kiss to getting married” and “You shit-talked me under the table / Talkin’ rings and talkin' cradles” are possibly references to tabloid reports like this one from theMirror, which alleged that Matty reportedly wanted to “settle down” with Taylor.
18.“I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” appears to be an obvious allusion to the two breakups Taylor experienced while on the road for the Eras Tour. Herbreakupwith Joe was reported less than a month into her monumental tour, and herbreakupwith Matty came another two months later.
She sings , " ‘Cause I ’m a real tough Thomas Kyd / I can cover my shit / They say , ' Babe , you got ta fake it ' til you make it ' and I did / Lights , camera , gripe , grin / Even when you wanna give-up the ghost / He articulate he ’d eff me all his life / But that life was too short / fall apart down , I hit the floor / All the pieces of me shatterеd as the crowd was chanting , ' More ' / I was grinnin ' like I ’m winnin ' / I was hittin ' my marks / ‘Cause I can do it with a broken heart . "
19.On “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” the line “I don’t even want you back, I just want to know / If rusting my sparkling summer was the goal” appears to reference her month-long relationship with Matty, whichreportedlyended in June 2023.
20.Also, the line “In public, showed me off” appears to allude to how seemingly readily Mattyappearedwith her in the public eye.
21.And once again, she seemingly refers to public derision of their relationship and herseeming willingnessto stay with him despite it with this line: “I would’ve died for your sins / Instead, I just died inside.”
22.Additionally, the religious imagery in “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” and throughoutTTPDbrings to mind this line from “Girls” by The 1975: “I know you’re looking for salvation in the secular age / But, girl, I’m not your savior.”
23.“The Alchemy” uses several football/sports metaphors, so it’s likely a reference to Taylor’s current relationship withTravis Kelce.
A few examples :
" So when I touch down / Call the amateurs and cut ‘em from the squad . "
" These bloke warm up the bench / We ’ve been on a winning bar . "
AfterBuzz TV / Viayoutube.com
" Beer stickin ' to the floor , cheer chanted ‘cause they said / There was no chance trying to be the greatest in the league / Where ’s the trophy ? He just add up runnin ' over to me . "
24.And the line “These blokes warm the benches” seemingly references Taylor’s exes from the UK. Before Travis (who’s American), shedatedMatty Healy, Joe Alwyn, Tom Hiddleston, and Harry Styles, who are British, and Calvin Harris, who’s Scottish.
25.“Clara Bow” is a testament to the comparisons to other famous women Taylor has faced throughout her career and the expectations placed on her as a woman. Then, in the outro, she seemingly alludes to how up-and-coming artists, such asOlivia Rodrigo, have been compared to her, singing, “You look like Taylor Swift / In this light, we’re lovin’ it / You’ve got edge, she never did / The future’s bright, dazzling.”
And now on toThe Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology….
26.“The Black Dog” seemingly opens with a reference to Taylor and Joe’s breakup: “I am someone who until recent events / You shared your secrets with.”
27.In my mind, on “imgonnagetyouback,” the line “Bygones will be bygone, eras fadin’ into grey (Fading into grey)” evokes theLoverhouse — which sheburns downduring the Eras Tour.
28.“The Albatross” appears to reference thepublic scrutinyJoe Alwyn faced after their breakup, despite never speaking on the matter and no confirmation as to why their relationship ended.
Such agate line let in , " You were sleeping good / When they dragged you from your bed / And I tried to admonish you about them . "
29.More specifically, the line, “Wise men once read fake news / And they believed it” made me think of when Taylor’s publicist, Tree Paine, publiclyshut downrumors that Taylor and Joe had been secretly married.
Enough is enough with these fabricated lies about Taylor from Deuxmoi . There was NEVER a marriage or ceremonial occasion of ANY kind . This is an insane thing to post . It ’s time for you to be held accountable for the pain and trauma you make with posts like these.pic.twitter.com/cFi0wQc9cp
30.On “So High School,” the line, “Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me?” seemingly refers to a 2016AfterBuzz TVinterview where Travis was asked to play “kiss, marry, kill” with Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift.
Here’s the full clip:
31.Also, the line “Get my car door, isn’t that sweet?” seemingly references theviral momentwhen Travis opened Taylor’s car door outside theSaturday Night Liveafterparty.
32.And “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle” appears to be a quite obvious reference to Travis’s career as the tight end on the Kansas City Chiefs.
33.On “I Hate It Here,” the line, “Now I seem to be scared to go outside” seemingly evokes the time when Taylor disappeared from the public eye following the pre-Reputation-era fallout following herfeudwith Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
In her Netflix documentaryMiss Americana , Taylor said , " Nobody physically image me for a year , and that was what I thought they wanted . I had to deconstruct an entire notion scheme — toss it out and disapprove it . "
34.On “thanK you aIMee,” Taylor tells her bully, “I changed your name, and any real defining clues.” However, the strategic capitalization spells out Kim —seemingly referencingKim Kardashian’s part in Taylor’s feud with Kanye West.
The song is about how " Aimee ’s " discussion of her hurt , but it ultimately root on her to mend and keep rebuild .
Elsewhere in the song , Taylor sings , " There ’s a bronze spray - tanned statue of you " and " she wrote headlines / In the local paper , laughing at each sister step I ’d take . "
35.On “The Prophecy,” the line “Don’t want money / Just someone who wants my company” could be a possible reference to thereportsthat the Eras Tour had become the highest-grossing tour of all time.
36.In “Cassandra,” Taylor seemingly references the ill-fatedphone callfrom Kayne West that reignited their feud with this line: “I was in my new house placing daydreams / Patching up the crack along the wall / I pass it and lose track of what I’m saying / ‘Cause that’s where I was when I got the call.”
At the sentence , Kanye West and his then - married woman Kim Kardashianclaimedthat Taylor approved a line in his song " Famous " enounce , " I made that bitch renowned . " When Taylor abnegate this , Kim posted an edited version of the call . However , when the full version of the call leaked in 2020 , Taylor was vindicated .
37.She also appears to reference thefull versionof the call coming out with this line: “When the truth comes out, it’s quiet.”
In theunedited interlingual rendition , Taylor force back against Kanye ’s request to say he made her celebrated . She say , " Did you say that ? Oh God . Well , what am I gon na do about it ? I imply , it ’s kind of whatever at this point . But , I intend , you have ta tell a story the way it happened to you and the means that you experienced it — you did n’t know who I was at that head . It does n’t matter if I pulled 7 million records off [ Fearless ] before you did that [ at the VMAs ] — which is what happened . "
39.The lyrics of “Robin” seem to be addressing a child. Aaron Dessner, who co-produced and co-wrote the song with Taylor, has a childnamedRobin.
40.On “The Manuscript,” Taylor again seems to possibly allude to Matty’stabloid-reporteddesire to “settle down” with her before the demise of their brief romance. She sings, “He said that if the sex was half as good as the conversation was / Soon they’d be pushin’ strollers / But soon it was over.”
41.And finally, the closing line “One last souvenir from my trip to your shores / Now and then I reread the manuscript / But the story isn’t mine anymore” are similar to the social media statement Taylor shared upon the album’s release.
OnTwitter , she said , " The Tortured Poets Department . An anthology of raw whole kit and caboodle that muse events , opinions , and sentiment from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time — one that was both sensational and sorrowful in adequate measure . This period of time of the author ’s life is now over , the chapter closed and room up . There is nothing to revenge , no scores to finalise once lesion have heal . And upon further reflection , a beneficial number of them turn out to be self - inflicted . This author is of the firm feeling that our binge become holy in the form of ink on a page . Once we have spoken our saddest taradiddle , we can be free of it . And then all that ’s left behind is the tortured poetry . "
