Decoding the Mystery: Unraveling the Alleged Names in ‘The Tormented Writers Division’

Theories on Who Taylor Swift Subtly Wrote About in TTPD

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Swifties think that Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department goes beyond just breakup songs about Matty Healy and Joe Alwyn.

The 34-year-old singer released TTPD on Friday, April 19. Surprisingly, just two hours later, she delighted her fans with another release titled The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

I've spent the last 2 years pouring my heart out in poetry and I couldn't wait to share it all with you. Now, the story no longer belongs to me... it's all yours.

The extended album featured 15 extra songs, and fans wasted no time diving in. After its release, Swift set records with TTPD reaching 300 million streams in just one day.

As Swifties continue to listen and analyze Swift’s lyrics more theories have popped up about who else the Grammy winner could be singing about.

Keep scrolling to see what the fans are theorizing:

Olivia Rodrigo

Many fans believe that Taylor Swift is hinting at Olivia Rodrigo in her song "Clara Bow." The track discusses the tendency to compare female artists as they become successful. Towards the end of the song, Swift mentions herself as a new artist being compared to her.

Taylor Swift sings, "You look like Taylor Swift / In this light, we’re loving it. You’ve got edge, she never did / The future’s bright, dazzling."

When Olivia Rodrigo first started her music career, she was often compared to Taylor Swift because of her passion for songwriting. Swift, a former Disney star herself, openly supported Rodrigo. However, some fans have speculated about potential drama between the two artists regarding songwriting credits. This speculation arose after Rodrigo released her debut studio album, Sour, in 2021.

One user on X pointed out the similarity between Clara Bow and Olivia Rodrigo's names, questioning if it's just a coincidence or something more.

Olivia Rodrigo gave credit to Taylor Swift for inspiring her song "1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back," which included elements from Swift's track "New Year's Day." Despite facing accusations of plagiarism on social media for her song "Deja Vu," Rodrigo later acknowledged Swift's influence and gave her credit.

Travis Kelce

Kelce had two love songs dedicated to him on TTPD - “The Alchemy” and “So High School.” Fans of Taylor Swift thought that her relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end served as inspiration for “The Albatross.”

Swift's ballad "Cautions" tells the story of a man ignoring warnings about a destructive woman. The lyrics warn, "Cross your thoughtless heart, only liquor anoints you, she's the albatross here to destroy you."

Critics were quick to blame Swift when she started attending Kelce's football games in September 2023. The Dads, Brads, and Chads in the sports community felt she was a distraction to the athlete.

"People kept warning Travis to be cautious and not get involved with her, saying she would harm his career," shared a social media user on TikTok. "They questioned if he was still focused on football, if she was holding him back, and if his skills were declining because he was dating Taylor Swift. This negative backlash was a significant part of their relationship, with many outraged whenever they saw her on the screen."

Theories on Who Taylor Swift Subtly Wrote About in TTPD

Scooter Braun Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Scooter Braun

While some fans associate "Cassandra" with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, others draw parallels to Braun.

One user on X suggested, "Cassandra has to be about Scooter Braun. In Greek mythology, Cassandra foresaw the fall of Troy but no one believed her, calling her crazy. I swear she’s talking about how she was the first one to warn everyone about him & everyone s–t on her till recently."

As fans may remember, back in June 2019, Braun acquired the rights to Taylor Swift's music from Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records for $300 million. This came after Swift had left the label and expressed her disappointment at not being given the chance to buy her own music. She accused Braun of purchasing her music for questionable purposes.

Following a public dispute with Braun, Swift made the decision to re-record her original albums. This led to the creation of the Taylor's Version re-releases. Eventually, Braun faced repercussions for his actions when he lost some of his top clients, including Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato.

In the chorus, Swift sings about how Cassandra was killed first because she feared the worst and tried to warn the town. Her life was set in flames, leaving her with regret as she asks, "Do you believe me now?"

Swift also appears to reference her conflict with Braun in her song "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me."

She sings about leaping from the gallows and floating down the street, crashing the party with a scream. She questions, "Who's afraid of little old me?" Once tame and gentle, the circus life has made her mean. She reassures, "Don't worry, we took out all her teeth." Should you be afraid of little old me? Well, maybe you should.

Theories on Who Taylor Swift Subtly Wrote About in TTPD

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Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal

In the song "The Manuscript," Taylor Swift reminisced about dating an older guy. Many fans think she is talking about her well-known relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, who is also mentioned in the song "All Too Well."

Swift sings about a woman who wished she was thirty in the age of him. She made coffee every morning in a French press and only ate kids’ cereal afterwards. She couldn't sleep unless it was in her mother's bed. She then dated boys who were her own age, with dart boards on the backs of their doors. She thought about how he said she was wise beyond her years, unsure if everything had been above board.

Swift and Gyllenhaal, who have a nine-year age difference, dated briefly in 2010. Following their romance, Swift moved on with guys closer to her actual age like Conor Kennedy, Harry Styles, and Calvin Harris. Many fans believe Swift wrote "The Manuscript" after finding closure following the release of "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)."

Fan's Interpretation of Taylor Swift's Song "All Too Well"

A fan shared their interpretation of Taylor Swift's song "All Too Well" on X. They believe the song is about Jake and how the release of ATW10 and the creation of the short film helped Taylor finally move on from past events. The fan also suggests that the line about rereading her manuscript signifies Taylor no longer dwelling on those memories.

Some fans speculate that "The Manuscript" could be referring to Gyllenhaal, while others believe it might actually be about Mayer. Swift and Mayer dated back in 2009 when she was 19 and he was 32. Many Swift fans have noticed similarities between "The Manuscript" and the Midnights track "Would've, Could've, Should've," which is also thought to be about the musician.

In the TTPD song, Swift sings about reflecting on how he once told her she was wise beyond her years and that everything was above board, leaving her unsure about it all.

Theories on Who Taylor Swift Subtly Wrote About in TTPD

Aaron Dessner Sarah Morris/Getty Images

Aaron Dessner’s Son

Aaron Dessner, a member of The National, teamed up with Taylor Swift for most of "The Taylor Swift Partnership Project" (TTPD). Many fans think that Dessner and Swift wrote the song "Robin" as a tribute to Dessner's son, who is also named Robin. The song captures the carefree joy of childhood, where a child is able to live in the present moment without concerns about what lies ahead.

One Reddit user shared their interpretation of the song:

Kim Kardashian

Eagle-eyed fans noticed that the track "thanK you aIMee" spells out Kim in capital letters, indicating that the song is a diss track aimed at Kardashian. In the song, Swift talks about a bully who inspired some of her songs.

Swift sings about the unfairness of the situation and how it felt like a battle every time Aimee would criticize her. This could be a reference to her public feud with Kardashian. She also mentions how Aimee would mock her progress in the local newspaper.

Swifties also noticed Swift's mention of Kardashian's daughter, North West, who famously sang along to Swift's hit song "Shake It Off" from the 1989 album.

In the song, Swift sings, "Maybe you've changed your perspective, but deep down, you never truly broke my spirit. I don't believe you've transformed much. So, I altered your name and any identifying details. Then one day, your child comes home singing a tune that only we two will recognize is about you."

Editor's P/S:

The article explores various theories proposed by Taylor Swift's fans regarding the potential inspirations behind the songs in her album "The Tortured Poets Department." The album has sparked much speculation and analysis, with fans delving into the lyrics to uncover hidden meanings and references. Some theories suggest that Swift may be singing about celebrities such as Olivia Rodrigo, Travis Kelce, Scooter Braun, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Kim Kardashian. Other interpretations focus on more personal relationships, including Aaron Dessner's son and Swift's own experiences.

It is intriguing to see the level of engagement and speculation that Taylor Swift's music evokes. The theories discussed in the article demonstrate the power of her lyrics and the impact they have on her fans. Swift's storytelling ability and the ambiguity of her songs allow listeners to connect with them on a personal level and find their own interpretations. The article provides a glimpse into the vibrant and passionate community that surrounds Swift's music, where fans engage in lively discussions and share their perspectives on the meaning behind her songs.