Exploring Taylor Swift's Use of Sports Metaphors in Her Music: Pre and Post Encounter with Travis Kelce

Every Time Taylor Swift Used Sports Metaphors in Her Songs Before and After Meeting Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift David Eulitt/Getty Images

Taylor Swift discovered her love for sports when she began dating NFL star Travis Kelce in the summer of 2023.

In a December 2023 interview with TIME for her Person of the Year profile, Swift expressed her newfound appreciation for football. "I've realized that football is really amazing. I feel like I've been missing out on it my whole life."

Cheering on Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, seemed to spark inspiration in Swift as she worked on The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

In one of the songs titled "The Alchemy," released in April 2023, she sings, "These guys sit on the sidelines / We've been winning constantly. He teases, 'It's like heroin, but with an E this time' / Because the message on your heart still belongs to me."

Swift attended 13 of Kelce’s NFL games during the 2023-2024 season, with the Super Bowl LVIII being one of them, which also happened to be her lucky number. After the Chiefs emerged victorious, Swift congratulated Kelce on the field with a kiss, expressing her amazement at the game's outcome. Kelce, on the other hand, has always been grateful for her unwavering support, even going as far as flying across oceans for 13 hours to be there for him.

Fans were thrilled when Swift made her first musical reference to Kelce on TTPD, but this wasn't the only time she incorporated sports into her lyrics. Let's take a look at some other sporty references in the pop star's songs.

‘Fifteen’ (Fearless)

“Well, in your life you’ll do things / Greater than dating the boy on the football team / I didn’t know it at fifteen.”

Swift once thought her best friend Abigail Anderson would be happier without the high school football star. However, her relationship with Kelce showed that she could have both love and friendship.

Every Time Taylor Swift Used Sports Metaphors in Her Songs Before and After Meeting Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

‘You Belong With Me’ (Fearless)

“She’s cheer captain / and I’m on the bleachers.”

This “You Belong With Me” lyric, as well as its football-coded music video, says it all.

‘Mean’ (Speak Now)

“And I can see you years from now in a bar / Talking over a football game / With that same big, loud opinion / But nobody’s listening.”

In “Mean,” Swift’s critics are blasting her career while watching a game on TV.

‘Long Live’ (Speak Now)

Remember this feeling I mentioned? I shared the pictures with everyone, reminiscing about all those years we spent on the sidelines, dreaming about this moment.

We are like royalty now. You swapped your baseball cap for a crown when they awarded us our trophies, and proudly displayed them to our community.

“Long Live” has taken on a new life as Swift started dating Kelce, who did win the big championship trophy and held it up at the postgame celebration on the field.

‘Stay Stay Stay’ (Red)

This morning, I suggested that we should have a conversation about it because I learned that it's not good to leave a disagreement unresolved. You walked in wearing a football helmet and said, "OK, let's talk."

Although "Stay Stay Stay" is not specifically about sports, Swit's boyfriend at the time did wear sports gear during an argument.

‘Blank Space’ (1989)

“’Cause you know I love the players / And you love the game.”

The lyric took on a new meaning when Swift pointed at Kelce, a pro football player, when he came to see her Eras Tour concert abroad.

‘End Game’ (Reputation)

Kelce was thrilled to hear "End Game" as the first surprise song at Swift's show in Argentina. He expressed his desire to be the endgame, first string, and A-Team for someone.

‘This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things’ (Reputation)

“Jump into the pool from the balcony / Everyone swimmin’ in a champagne sea.”

Swimming is a sport too, let Us remind you.

Every Time Taylor Swift Used Sports Metaphors in Her Songs Before and After Meeting Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

‘Miss Americana And The Heartbreak Prince’ (Lover)

Scoreboards are essential during sporting events as they help keep track of points. While feeling hopeless and tearing up a prom dress, I found myself running through rose thorns. In that moment, I caught a glimpse of the scoreboard and sprinted for my life.

‘London Boy’ (Lover)

“You can find me in the pub, we are watching rugby with his school friends.”

“London Boy,” notably penned about Swift’s life across the pond with now-ex Joe Alwyn, reminisced about what it was like for her to become a rugby fan.

‘Afterglow’ (Lover)

"Fighting with true love is like boxing without gloves. The chemistry between us can explode until there's nothing left."

Although Taylor Swift often mentions football and baseball in her songs, boxing also gets a mention in the romantic ballad, Lover.

‘Willow’ (Folklore)

“Like you were a trophy or a champion ring / And there was one prize I’d cheat to win.”

Athletes, such as Kelce, receive trophies or championship rings as rewards for winning important games. Hopefully, they don't misplace them like Travis' brother, Jason Kelce, did during a recording of his podcast "New Heights" in April 2023.

'Cowboy Like Me' (Evermore)

The tennis court was hidden under a tent-like covering, and you invited me to dance. However, I declined, saying, "Dancing is a risky game." The Evermore track cleverly incorporates two sports metaphors into the lyrics.

‘Only the Young’ 

“You did all that you could do / The game was rigged, the ref got tricked.”

The single from Swift’s Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, name-drops a referee.

‘The Alchemy’ (The Tortured Poets Department)

When I arrive, I call the inexperienced players and remove them from the team. I get rid of the foolish ones and aim for the top spot.

As the music blares, your buddies hoist you up in the air. The floor is sticky with spilled beer, and cheers fill the room. Trying to be the best in the league was futile. I wonder where the trophy is, but then he rushes over to me.

Swift has been a supportive spectator at Travis' football games, witnessing him score numerous impressive touchdowns and make countless other passes. In a memorable moment, Swift even chugged a beer while cheering Travis on during the Super Bowl in February 2024. Additionally, she was also present when Jason famously ripped off his shirt during one of Travis' playoff games just weeks before.

Every Time Taylor Swift Used Sports Metaphors in Her Songs Before and After Meeting Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

‘So High School’ (The Tortured Poets Department)

Swift also talks about her skills in basketball, saying "You know how to ball / I know Aristotle."

She also recalls a memory of laughing during Travis' team practices when their romance was just beginning.

What Is the Best Song on Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department?’

Bonus: ‘Karma’ (Midnights at The Eras Tour)

"During her Eras Tour performance in Argentina in 2022, Taylor Swift surprised fans by changing the lyrics of her song 'Karma.' Instead of singing 'Karma is the guy on the screen coming straight home to me,' she replaced 'screen' with 'Chiefs.' This caught the attention of Travis, who was in the audience and was seen blushing at the shout-out."

The Tortured Poets Department is out now.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's