Swifties are buzzing about Taylor Swift’s latest release, The Tortured Poets Department, and its surprising companion, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. The singer explained that she had written a lot of tortured poetry in the past two years and wanted to share it with her fans. The extended album included 15 additional songs, and Swifties wasted no time diving in, helping TTPD reach 300 million streams in a single day. As fans continue to listen and analyze Swift’s lyrics, they have come up with theories about who the Grammy winner could be singing about.
One theory suggests that Swift may be referring to Olivia Rodrigo in the track “Clara Bow.” Fans have speculated that this song subtly compares women artists as they rise to fame, with Swift even name-dropping herself as an emerging artist being compared to. Rodrigo, who was initially compared to Swift for her songwriting passion, credited Swift on her song “1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back” which used an interpolation of Swift’s track “New Year’s Day.” However, listeners accused Rodrigo of plagiarism on her song “Deja Vu” for copying Swift. This theory has sparked speculation about potential drama between the two artists.
Another theory revolves around Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce being the inspiration for the track “The Albatross.” In the song, Swift sings about cautions being issued to Kelce but him not heeding the warnings, symbolized by an albatross. Critics claimed that Swift was a distraction for Kelce when she attended his football games, leading to tension in their relationship. This theory delves into the challenges faced by celebrities in maintaining their personal and professional lives amidst public scrutiny.
Fans also believe that Swift’s song “Cassandra” may be about Scooter Braun, who famously purchased the rights to Swift’s music from Big Machine Records. In the song, Swift references Greek mythology’s Cassandra, who foresaw the fall of Troy but was not believed. This theory draws parallels between Swift’s public battle with Braun over control of her music and the struggles faced by women who speak out against powerful industry figures. Swift’s journey to reclaim her music through rerecording her albums is highlighted in this theory.
The track “The Manuscript” has sparked theories about Swift’s past relationships with Jake Gyllenhaal and John Mayer. Swift sings about dating an older guy and reflects on her experiences with relationships at different stages of her life. Fan speculation is divided between whether the song may be referring to Gyllenhaal or Mayer based on the lyrics and the timeline of Swift’s relationships. This theory delves into Swift’s songwriting process and how she draws inspiration from her personal experiences and relationships.
Another theory suggests that Swift collaborated with Aaron Dessner on the song “Robin” as a tribute to Dessner’s son. The song reflects on childhood innocence and the care adults put into creating a nurturing environment for children. Fans appreciate the depth and layers of meaning in the song, drawing connections to Dessner’s own experiences as a parent. Additionally, eagle-eyed fans have decoded that the track “thanK you aIMee” may be a diss track aimed at Kim Kardashian, referencing their public feud and the impact it had on Swift’s life and music.
Overall, Swifties are captivated by the storytelling and personal insights in Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department and are eagerly unraveling the mysteries and hidden meanings behind each track. As they continue to analyze the lyrics and draw connections to Swift’s personal life and experiences, new theories and interpretations are emerging, adding to the intrigue and depth of the album. Swift’s ability to weave personal anecdotes and reflections into her music resonates with fans, who find solace and inspiration in her words and melodies.
