Taylor Swift became a passionate sports fan when she started dating NFL star Travis Kelce in the summer of 2023. Swift admitted to TIME in December 2023 that she had never realized how awesome football was before dating Kelce. Her newfound interest in the sport even influenced her music, as she wrote a song called “The Alchemy” for The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, in which she references Kelce and their winning streak.
Swift attended 13 of Kelce’s NFL games during the 2023-2024 season, including the Super Bowl LVIII, which the Kansas City Chiefs won. After the game, Swift greeted Kelce on the field with a kiss and expressed amazement at the outcome. Kelce has mentioned how grateful he is for Swift’s unwavering support, even flying long distances to make it to her games. Swift’s references to sports in her lyrics go beyond just the mention of Kelce, with examples from her songs dating back to her early albums.
Swift’s sportiest lyrics include references to football, baseball, rugby, boxing, and tennis, showing her diverse interest in sports. She often uses sports metaphors to express themes of love, competition, and victory in her music. Her songs reflect her personal experiences and relationships, including her romance with Kelce, and how sports have become intertwined with her life. These references add a layer of depth and relatability to her music, connecting with fans who appreciate sports and athletic competition.
The lyrics in Swift’s songs often paint vivid pictures of moments from sporting events, such as holding up trophies, watching games, and even getting in heated arguments with a loved one. These references to sports help create a sense of nostalgia, victory, and competition in her music, resonating with listeners who have their own memories and experiences with sports. Swift’s incorporation of sports into her lyrics adds a unique and relatable element to her storytelling, showcasing her versatility as a songwriter.
As Swift continues to explore different themes and styles in her music, her references to sports remain a constant thread throughout her discography. Whether she is singing about love, heartbreak, or personal growth, Swift often uses sports as a metaphor to convey deeper emotions and experiences. From football fields to tennis courts, her songs capture the spirit of competition, teamwork, and perseverance that are often associated with sports, making her music even more engaging and relatable to her audience.
Swift’s evolving relationship with sports and her connection to Kelce have influenced her music and added a new dimension to her storytelling. The sports references in her songs offer a glimpse into her personal life and relationships, adding layers of meaning and depth to her music. As Swift continues to explore different genres and themes in her music, her love for sports will likely continue to play a significant role in shaping her lyrics and connecting with her fans on a deeper level.
