Decoding Taylor Swift's Connection to TTPD's 'The Manuscript' and Ex John Mayer: Analyzing the Clues in the Lyrics

Is Taylor Swift TTPD Track The Manuscript About Ex John Mayer

Taylor Swift and John Mayer Getty Images (2)

Taylor Swift's latest album, her 11th, was released on Friday, April 19. Along with the album, she also dropped a bonus version called The Anthology. In this bonus version, one particular track called "The Manuscript" caught the attention of many listeners.

"The Manuscript" is believed to contain references to Swift's past relationship with her ex, John Mayer. While some of her songs may be inspired by her recent romances, this track seems to delve into her past experiences in a more personal way.

The second verse of the song talks about a relationship between two people with a big age difference. Back in 2009, Swift was 19 years old while Mayer was 32.

Swift sings, "In his age, she wished she was thirty / And brewed coffee every morning in a French press / Then she only ate children's cereal / And couldn't fall asleep unless she was in her mother's bed."

Swift later hinted at dating "boys who were her own age," after moving on from Mayer. She was romantically linked with stars like Connor Kennedy, Harry Styles, and Calvin Harris, all of whom were closer in age to her than Mayer.

Listeners have also noticed lyrics in her songs that seem to reference her past relationship with Mayer. In her track "Would've, Could've, Should've," there are lines that suggest she reflected on his comments about her being wise beyond her years, leaving her unsure about the situation.

In her song "Would've, Could've, Should've" released in 2022, Taylor Swift describes John Mayer as a "grown man" and portrays herself as a young girl. She sings, "If you never looked my way, I would've stayed on my knees, and I damn sure never would've danced with the devil at nineteen."

Is Taylor Swift TTPD Track The Manuscript About Ex John Mayer 02

John Mayer and Taylor Swift were captured in a photo together at an event.

In one of her songs, Swift reflects on the past, singing about looking back to move forward and finally understanding the purpose of past struggles.

Taylor Swift's "The Story of Us" from her album Speak Now is another breakup song inspired by her relationship with Mayer. In this song, Swift reflects on the tragic end of the relationship and even hints at it in the final verse. She sings, "Now and then I reread the manuscript / But the story isn’t mine anymore," conveying a sense of closure and moving on from the past.

Are you curious about which one of Taylor Swift's exes is your personal favorite? Before the release of TTPD, Swift shared five Apple Music playlists that were inspired by the stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. The Anger playlist, titled “You Don’t Get to Tell Me About Sad” after a lyric from TTPD, included songs that were rumored to be about Mayer, such as “Dear John,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.”

Swift took to social media to clarify that she has no desire to seek revenge after the incident. She mentioned that there are no grudges to hold once the wounds have healed. In her message on Friday, she stated, "And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted."

She shared her belief that expressing our emotions through writing can be a form of catharsis. According to her, our tears can transform into something sacred when they are written down on paper. Swift expressed that once we have shared our saddest stories, we can release ourselves from them. Ultimately, all that remains is the poignant poetry that is left behind.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Anthology," has stirred up emotions among fans, particularly with the track "The Manuscript." Believed to be about her past relationship with John Mayer, the song delves into themes of age difference, maturity, and self-reflection. Swift's lyrics hint at Mayer's comments about her youthful wisdom, leaving her questioning the situation. The song also reflects Swift's growth and emotional journey, as she processes past experiences and finds closure.

Swift's approach to expressing her emotions through songwriting is both cathartic and poignant. She believes that writing can transform pain into something meaningful and that sharing our saddest stories can set us free. The lyrics in "The Manuscript" and other songs inspired by Mayer showcase Swift's vulnerability and resilience, reminding us of the universal experiences of love, loss, and the search for self-understanding.