The launch of a new Taylor Swift album will always lead to speculation about who each song was inspired by, and Department of Tortured Poets is no different.
Swift’s latest album — a surprise double release — dropped last week, turning Swifties into detectives as they searched for clues in every lyric of the densely poetic material.
While certain lines seemed to point to Swift’s short-lived romance with the 1975 singer Matty HealyOf course, there was a lot of speculation that the saddest songs on the album were a reference to the singer’s last big relationship – with the English actor Joe Alwyn.
Alwyn was involved with Swift’s music career when the two were together – even winning a GRAMMY Award as one of the songwriters on her 2020 album, Folklore. However, since their separation in April 2023O Conversations with friends star has kept a low profile and is currently staying away from any drama or speculation surrounding Swift’s new music.
“Taylor and Joe are not in contact at this time, but they try to be respectful of each other,” a source told ET. “Joe wants to keep his personal life private. He’s more introverted and the interest in his personal life is a little overwhelming for him. He’s focused on acting and his career.”
Alwyn will next appear in director Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming anthology film, Types of kindness.
Meanwhile, Swift has also moved on — in her high-profile relationship with an NFL star Travis Kelce.
“Taylor is happier than ever in her relationship with Travis and is focused on the future,” the source told ET.
Most recently, the pair shared a PDA-filled weekend at Coachellabefore celebrating his new album – which fans believe Kelce also plays a role in.
Listeners were quick to focus on two PTPD love songs, “The Alchemy” and “So High School”, which many believe are odes to her relationship with Kelce.
In “The Alchemy”, Swift offers a series of football references – including a nod to a big win, not unlike the Numerous Kansas City Chiefs victories en route to Super Bowl LVIII.
“Take off your shirt and your friends lift you up, above their heads / Beer stuck to the floor, cheers because they said / ‘There was no chance of trying to be the biggest in the league’ / Where’s the trophy? come, running to me”, she sings.
Whether the songs directly reference him or not, a source told ET at the time of the album’s release that Kelce remains one of Swift’s greatest champions.
“Travis is very supportive of the entire album and loves being a part of Taylor’s story,” the source noted. “He’s a Swiftie through and through and is so proud of her.”
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