Exploring the Myth of 'The Black Dog' in Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department': Fact or Fiction?

Is The Black Dog From Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department a Real Place

Taylor Swift James Devaney/GC Images

There is speculation about whether Taylor Swift's song "The Black Dog" is inspired by her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. But could it also be connected to a real location?

Swift dropped her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19. Just two hours later, she delighted fans with The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, which included 15 additional tracks. Among them was "The Black Dog," which had been hinted at as a bonus track beforehand.

"I used to be the person you confided in and shared your whereabouts with, but you forgot to turn it off. So, I witnessed you entering a bar named The Black Dog," sings Swift, 34, hinting at her breakup with Joe Alwyn after a six-year relationship.

She goes on to express her confusion, saying, "I can't comprehend how you can be at The Black Dog, hearing The Starting Line playing, and not miss me. You get up when the song starts, but she is too young to recognize the significance of this tune that was once a part of our shared dreams."

When Swift first introduced The Black Dog variant in March, fans thought it hinted at her coping with a breakup. The variant featured a lyric on the back saying, “Old habits die screaming,” linking to Swift’s depression playlist made before TTPD’s launch.

Joe Alwyn 2 Is The Black Dog From Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department a Real Place

There is a bar in Vauxhall called The Black Dog Freehouse, located in Joe Alwyn's native England. Fans have begun leaving comments on the pub's Instagram posts, and The Black Dog Freehouse's social media is joining in on the fun by promoting Taylor Swift's music on their official account. In fact, their Instagram bio now proudly declares them as a "Pub, restaurant & beer garden Home to tortured poets @taylorswift."

Swift also released a track titled “So Long, London,” which offered a glimpse into her breakup from Alwyn, 33. The former couple started dating in 2017 and occasionally collaborated on her music before calling it quits. “The Black Dog” is not the only track that made references to life in England.

In April 2023, it was confirmed that Swift and Alwyn parted ways due to their romance being too high-profile.

Joe Alwyn 3 Is The Black Dog From Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department a Real Place

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn Jackson Lee/GC Images

Joe was described as very shy and not a fan of the attention that came with dating one of the most popular singers in the world, according to a source. It was mentioned that Swift was not to blame for the breakup, as Joe simply struggled with always being in the spotlight.

After the breakup, Swift found comfort in her ex Matt Healy, who seemed to inspire her song "The One That Got Away." However, their connection didn't last long. Currently, Swift has been in a relationship with boyfriend Travis Kelce, whom she publicly revealed last year.

In February, Taylor Swift made a big announcement at the 2024 Grammy Awards. She revealed that her 11th album will be released on April 19th and it's titled The Tortured Poets Department. Swift said, "I've been keeping this secret from you for the past two years, but now I can finally share it with you. I'm going to go post the cover backstage."

Fans of Taylor Swift, known as Swifties, were quick to point out that her partner, Joe Alwyn, had previously mentioned being part of a group chat with a similar name. The chat also included actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott.

During Variety's Actors on Actors interview special in December 2022, Alwyn mentioned the Tortured Man Club. He pointed out that it was him, you, and Andrew Scott who founded the group. Alwyn shared how Andrew would message himself good mornings, and how they were both part of the Sally Rooney universe and worked with Lenny Abrahamson. Alwyn expressed gratitude for the fortunate experience they had.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," has sparked speculation about its inspiration. The song "The Black Dog" has drawn attention for its lyrics that hint at a breakup, with fans connecting it to a real pub in Vauxhall, England. The pub's social media has embraced the connection, further fueling the speculation. Swift's previous track, "So Long, London," also references her life in England, adding to the narrative of the breakup.

The breakup between Swift and Joe Alwyn reportedly stemmed from Alwyn's discomfort with the intense public scrutiny that came with dating a high-profile celebrity. Swift's subsequent relationship with Travis Kelce has been more private. Despite the breakup, Swift and Alwyn were once part of a group chat called the "Tortured Man Club," along with actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott. This connection adds another layer to the speculation surrounding "The Black Dog" and the broader themes of the album.