Fans wondered whether Swift was referring to Travis Kelce’s ex, Kayla Nicole, in Opalite. Before dating Swift, Kelce and Nicole were in an on-and-off relationship for five years. In Opalite, she sings about her man’s previous partner, saying, “You couldn’t understand it, why you felt alone. You were in it for real, she was in her phone and you were just a pose.” Fans have connected that quote to resurfaced video of Kelce telling Nicole to get off her phone, while Swift later sings, “And don’t we try to love love? We give it all we got. You finally left the table, and what a simple thought. You’re starving ’til you’re not.” Some feel Kayla responded by sharing a clip of Eva Marcille from America’s Next Top Model, in which she declares, “I don’t compare myself to other girls. I’m Eva. I’m no comparison to anyone else.”
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Fans believe that Actually Romantic is a diss track to Charli xcx and a response to her song Sympathy is a Knife. In Charli’s song, she sings about another woman in the music industry who heightens her own insecurities. Lyrics included, “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show/Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick.” Swift dated Matty Healy, who is bandmates with Charli’s husband, George Daniel — linking the two together. Actually Romantic pulls from some of Charli’s song titles and claps back with its lyrics, especially the line, “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave. High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me.”
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In CANCELLED!, Taylow Swift talks about not only her own public controversies, but also those of her friends. She claims they have “matching scars” and “I like my friends cancelled, I like ’em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal.” Fans believe the song could be referencing Swift’s peers who have also been in recent scandals, such as Brittany Mahomes and Blake Lively.
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Fans are pointing out that Taylor Swift could have given a subtle nod to Candance Owens in CANCELLED! Eight months ago, Owens discussed Swift on her show, and exclaimed, “This story is going to be remembered as girl boss flew too close to the sun” — in regards to her potential involvement in the legal case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Now, Swift sings in her new song, “Did you girlboss too close to the son?”
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Joe Alwyn is seemingly referenced in Elizabeth Taylor. On the track, she sings, “All the right guys, promised they’d stay. Under bright lights, they withered away.” Alwyn and Swift reportedly broke up after her fame strained their relationship. Fans also think their split — and how Travis Kelce saved her after — is referenced in The Fate of Ophelia.
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Father Figure — which talks about an industry mentor and his young “protege”– could possibly be about her own experience Big Machine Records and its CEO Scott Borchetta, who sold Swift’s masters to Scooter Braun in 2019, sparking her re-releases. The track also interpolates George Michael’s song of the same name.
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Fans believe Ruin the Friendship is about Swift’s childhood friend who unfortunately passed away at 21-years-old, Jeff Lang. The song talks about high school memories and having a crush before tragically taking a turn: “When I left school, I lost track of you. Abigail called me with the bad news. Goodbye, and we’ll never know why … But I whispered at the grave, ‘Should’ve kissed you anyway.'” She also sings about singing at his funeral, something she previously said she did for Lang.
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While 50 Cent was not the direct subject of the song, he did get a shoutout in Ruin the Friendship as Swift sang, “But as that 50 Cent song played, should’ve kissed you anyway.” The rapper responded to his mention on Instagram, writing, “@taylorswift s– is popping right now, 😏she shout me out, 🤫she don’t shout you out. LOL 😆 THIS IS FOR BIG TIMERS ONLY! @50centaction wait I’m the only shout out on the whole album. 🔥”
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Swift’s second track, Elizabeth Taylor, is all about the late Hollywood icon. As the singer draws parallels between the both of them, she mentions some of Taylor’s favorite places — including Plaza Athénée in Paris and Musso & Frank’s in Los Angeles — and her infamous violet eyes and White Diamonds perfume.
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In Eldest Daughter, Swift talks about being the first born to her parents Andrea and Scott Swift and the sister of her younger brother, Austin Swift.
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