Fans have noticed a pattern in Taylor Swift’s new playlists that revolves around the concept of a hallway, leading some to speculate if this is connected to her breakup with Joe Alwyn. In anticipation of her upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift released five playlists representing the stages of grief, with the fourth playlist focusing on depression. The songs in this playlist reference a hallway, with speculation that they are about a relationship in turmoil before a breakup occurs.
Many of the songs in the “Old Habits Die Screaming” playlist, including “Coney Island,” “Maroon,” and “You’re Losing Me,” all feature mentions of a hallway. Fans have pointed out that the hallway could symbolize a state of limbo or purgatory between staying and leaving a relationship. Some believe the hallway represents turmoil and instability in relationships, similar to how classic poets use hallways as a liminal space. The color blue, referenced in the songs, may hold the key to these references being about Alwyn.
Despite Swift and Alwyn officially ending their relationship last spring, there were rumors of a rocky relationship prior to that. Producer Jack Antonoff revealed that “You’re Losing Me” was written in 2021, a year before their breakup. Sources close to the couple revealed that Alwyn’s shyness and discomfort with Swift’s fame played a role in the split. Alwyn struggled with the attention that came with dating a global superstar, leading to tensions in their relationship.
Since the split, Swift has moved on with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The couple made their relationship public in September 2023 and have been supporting each other at public events. Kelce praised Swift’s upcoming album, expressing excitement for its release. The Tortured Poets Department is set to be released on April 19, and Kelce has already heard some of the music and lauded its quality. Despite the past relationship struggles with Alwyn, Swift seems to have found happiness and support in her new relationship.
Fans continue to dissect the connection between the hallway references in Swift’s playlist and her relationship with Alwyn. Speculation and analysis of the lyrics and imagery in the songs suggest a deeper meaning related to the emotional turmoil and instability in the relationship. As the release of The Tortured Poets Department approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the new music and its connection to Swift’s personal life and past relationships. The hallway motif appears to be a recurring theme in her songs, potentially providing insights into her feelings and experiences.
