Exploring Taylor Swift's References in 'The Tortured Poets Department' Album

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Taylor Swift's 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department, initially hinted at a plethora of literary references in her new songs. However, to the disappointment of many English majors in recovery, the album did not fully deliver on this promise. Despite this, there are still numerous name-drops and a few subtle nods to classic literature scattered throughout the songs.

In the title track, Swift references musicians Charlie Puth and Patti Smith, collaborator Jack Antonoff, and poet Dylan Thomas. The standard edition ends with a track named after Clara Bow, the silent film actress dubbed the first “it girl.”

Although TTPD may not have actual poems, it is filled with shout-outs and hidden surprises to entertain Swift fans for the next week or two.

Keep scrolling for all the name-drops on The Tortured Poets Department:

The Blue Nile

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"Guilty as Sin?" begins with the line, "Drowning in the Blue Nile," although it is not referring to the Nile River tributary in Ethiopia and Sudan. Instead, the Blue Nile mentioned here is a Scottish synthpop band from the 1980s. In the song, the narrator mentions receiving the Blue Nile track "Downtown Lights" from her love interest, a song she hadn't listened to in a while. Interestingly, "Downtown Lights" was the band's only song to make it onto the charts in the United States, peaking at No. 10 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks (now known as Alternative Airplay).

Charlie Puth

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On the title track, there is a mention of singer Charlie Puth in the lyrics. It says, “You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.”

Some fans are speculating that the person mentioned as "you" could be Taylor Swift's ex, Matty Healy. He is from the band The 1975, known for their song "Chocolate." Healy also publicly praised a Charlie Puth song in 2018.

The Chelsea Hotel

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The title track pays tribute to the iconic Chelsea Hotel in New York City, a place that has been home to numerous cultural icons throughout the years. Some of the famous residents include Patti Smith (mentioned in the song), Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Iggy Pop, Madonna, and Jack Kerouac. Cohen, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 82, even penned a song called "Chelsea Hotel #2" about his experiences in the building.

Clara Bow

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The standard edition of the Taylor Swift album "The Taylor Swift Archive: A Complete Collection" ends with a song titled "Clara Bow," which is named after the famous silent film star. If you want to learn more about Clara Bow's life and any possible connections to Taylor Swift, you can check out We's earlier research on this subject.

Dylan Thomas

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Taylor Swift sings on the title track of the album, "And you’re not Dylan Thomas / I’m not Patti Smith / This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel." Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet, passed away in 1953 at the age of 39 after reportedly consuming 18 whiskeys. During that time, he was residing at the Chelsea Hotel.

Jack Antonoff

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Swift and Antonoff collaborated on the track "The Tortured Poets Department." In the lyrics, Swift hints at Antonoff without explicitly mentioning his last name. For example, she sings, "But you tell Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave / And I had said that to Jack about you." Antonoff is also credited as a co-writer on the song.

Lucy

The song "TTPD" mentions a person named Lucy along with Jack, but it's unclear if Lucy is a real person. Some listeners believe the song is about Healy and have connected it to a situation where Healy joked about starting a band with a name that combined "girl" and the R-slur, inspired by Lucy Dacus' band name. Dacus responded with a tweet saying, "You don't hear from me at all." After this incident, Healy deactivated his X account.

Patti Smith

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Smith, the iconic singer-songwriter and author, appears in the chorus of the title track. In 2019, Smith defended Swift after she received criticism for not speaking out more about politics. According to The New York Times, Smith mentioned that Swift is constantly under intense scrutiny as a pop star and it must be difficult for her. Smith expressed that Swift is likely trying to do good and influence her fans positively, regardless of messy hair or other trivial things. Smith questioned the importance of measuring authenticity and emphasized the impact of opening up thoughts among fans.

Sarahs and Hannahs

"I disagree with the idea that artists and musicians bear a greater responsibility to speak out than others," Smith added. "I believe everyone should be actively engaged. Art has the power to inspire and unite people. While a song can mobilize individuals, it alone cannot bring about lasting change."

Stevie Nicks

The song "But Daddy I Love Him" takes a playful jab at those judgmental individuals named "Sarahs and Hannahs" who disapprove of the narrator's romantic partners. It seems like Taylor Swift is addressing her critics in a lighthearted way without targeting anyone in particular.

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Swift sings on "Clara Bow," comparing someone to Stevie Nicks in '75 with the hair and lips. She mentions how the crowd goes wild at her fingertips.

Before the release of TTPD, Swift fans spotted a tambourine and scarf at the album's pop-up in Los Angeles. These are two accessories that are signature to Nicks.

Taylor Swift

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In the song, Taylor Swift makes a comparison to herself on "Clara Bow," saying, "You look like Taylor Swift in this light / We’re loving it / You’ve got edge, she never did." This line comes towards the end of the song.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's eleventh album, The Tortured Poets Department, has sparked mixed reactions among fans and literary enthusiasts alike. Despite its initial promise of literary references, the album fell short of expectations for some. However, upon closer examination, there are still numerous name-drops and subtle nods to classic literature scattered throughout the songs.

The album pays homage to various cultural icons, including musicians, poets, and actors. Taylor Swift references the likes of Charlie Puth, Patti Smith, and Dylan Thomas, showcasing her appreciation for diverse artistic influences. Additionally, the album mentions the iconic Chelsea Hotel, a hub for creative minds throughout history. The inclusion of these references serves as a testament to Taylor Swift's admiration for the artistic legacy that came before her.