Taylor Swift's Playlist for Heartache: A Tribute to Love Lost

Taylor Swift s Bargaining Playlist Harry Styles and Joe Alwyn This One s for You

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Taylor Swift is incredibly relatable, especially when it comes to holding on to a relationship that has gone bad.

To prepare for her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift, who is 34 years old, shared playlists that match the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The playlist for bargaining, named "Am I Allowed to Cry?", features songs where the singer navigates how to save a relationship.

Swift recently shared in a special Apple Music message that this playlist features songs she wrote during the bargaining stage. This is a time when you try to make deals with yourself or someone you care about, hoping to improve things but often feeling desperate because deep down you sense that things may not turn out as planned. This sense of desperation leads to more bargaining.

Interestingly, the playlist opens with "The Great War" from Swift's 2022 album, Midnights. Initially believed to be about partners overcoming challenges in their relationship and emerging stronger, the song portrays the lovers as soldiers battling each other. However, the outro suggests a moment of surrender with a white flag being raised.

Swift sings about reaching out for her hand during the Great War, emphasizing the strength of their bond. She vows to always be there for her partner, highlighting their resilience in the face of challenges.

Some fans believe that the lyrics reflect a tough period in Swift's relationship with Joe Alwyn, which ended in April 2023. Despite the hopeful tone of the song, adding it to a breakup playlist suggests that their connection may have been strained.

Other songs on the album "Am I Allowed to Cry?" that are rumored to be about Alwyn also reflect the turbulent times of the former couple. In the song "Afterglow" from the album "Lover," Swift takes the blame for causing problems in the relationship and admits to overreacting, feeling like she has imprisoned her partner and burned down their love. Despite the soft and romantic instrumental, Swift is pleading for her lover to stay.

The bridge of the song reads, "Tell me that you’re still mine / Tell me that we’ll be just fine / Even when I lose my mind. Tell me that it’s not my fault / Tell me that I’m all you want / Even when I break your heart."

Taylor Swift s Bargaining Playlist Harry Styles and Joe Alwyn This One s for You

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Lover's other tracks, such as "Cornelia Street" and "The Archer," reveal Swift's inner struggles. In "Cornelia Street," Swift refers to her partner, likely Alwyn, as a "card shark playing games," making her question if he was leading her on. Meanwhile, "The Archer" shows Swift's insecurity about whether anyone would stick by her in the spotlight.

In a similar vein, Folklore's "Peace" delves into the theme of uncertainty. Swift wonders if it would be enough if she couldn't give her lover peace. During a conversation with Paul McCartney for a Rolling Stone interview in November 2020, Swift opened up about how her relationship with Alwyn influenced the creation of the song.

Swift explained that being in a relationship with her partner has helped her make decisions that have brought more authenticity to her life, moving away from feeling like a mere storyline for tabloids. She mentioned that decisions such as where to live, who to spend time with, and when to prioritize privacy have all contributed to creating a sense of normalcy in her life, as reflected in her song "Peace." This song explores the concept of whether achieving normalcy, which both she and her partner desire, would be satisfying even if it is never fully attainable.

Not all the songs on Swift's playlist about relationships are solely about her current partner, Joe Alwyn. Some tracks also touch on her past relationships, including one with Harry Styles. Styles, who is 30 years old, is believed to have inspired the song "I Wish You Would" from Swift's album "1989." The lyrics describe Swift's thoughts of an ex-lover coming back to her, expressing their enduring love for her.

In the vault track "Say Don’t Go," from the album 1989 (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift reflects on a relationship that is on the brink of ending, where she can sense her partner pulling away.

The lyrics express Swift's feelings of uncertainty and longing, as she sings about feeling unsteady, the fleeting moments of connection, and the fear of being left alone. Despite the desire for the relationship to continue, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance that it may not work out unless her partner reassures her with the words, "Say don’t go."

Taylor Swift s Bargaining Playlist Harry Styles and Joe Alwyn This One s for You

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Much of the album "1989" is believed to be inspired by Swift's relationship with Styles, whom she dated on and off from 2012 to 2013.

Joe Jonas and Jake Gyllenhaal are also thought to be referenced in the songs "Haunted" and "Better Man," reflecting on past relationships that Swift wishes had turned out differently. In the track "The Story of Us" from the album "Speak Now," there are rumors that it recounts Swift's brief romance with John Mayer when she was 19, expressing the longing for a former lover to still care.

Non-autobiographical tracks can also be found on “Am I Allowed to Cry,” such as Folklore’s “This Is Me Trying,” a song that delves into the struggles of addiction. Another track, “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” draws inspiration from the breakup theme in the 2019 film, Someone Great.

In Fearless, songs like “Come in With the Rain” and “The Other Side of the Door” explore similar themes to “I Wish You Would,” where Swift expresses her wish for her ex to return and acknowledge their mistake. As the album progresses, Swift starts to move away from the bargaining stage, culminating in the realization in the penultimate song, “If This Was a Movie,” that life doesn’t always go as planned. "If this was a movie, you’d be here right now," she muses.

Are you looking forward to any particular track from ‘The Tortured Poets Department’?

The final song on the playlist, "Renegade," is not featured on any of Swift's albums. It is a special collaboration with producer Aaron Dessner, known for his work on Folklore, Evermore, Midnights, and the upcoming TTPD.

Some fans have speculated that Taylor Swift's song "Renegade" may mark the end of her relationship with Joe Alwyn. In the song, she seems to shift from being caring to expressing anger towards him.

In the chorus, Swift questions, "Is it insensitive for me to say, 'Get your stuff together so I can love you'? Is your anxiety holding you back from giving me your all, or do you simply not want to?"

The final chapter of Swift and Alwyn's romance, as well as their subsequent split, is expected to be a popular topic on The Tortured Poets Department. Swift mentioned this department as a "lifeline" during one of her Eras Tour shows earlier this year. Her relationship with boyfriend Travis Kelce, which started earlier this summer, could also inspire the 16-track record.

The Tortured Poets Department will be available on shelves starting Friday, April 19.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's upcoming album, "The Tortured Poets Department," is highly anticipated by fans, especially as it promises to delve into the complexities of relationships and the stages of grief. The article explores the album's themes and inspirations through the lens of Swift's personal experiences and past relationships. It sheds light on the emotional turmoil she has navigated, from the desperate bargaining to the eventual acceptance of heartbreak. The inclusion of songs from various albums demonstrates the evolution of her songwriting and her ability to capture the nuances of love, loss, and resilience.

Furthermore, the article speculates on the possible end of Swift's relationship with Joe Alwyn, based on the lyrics of the unreleased track "Renegade." The song's lyrics express frustration and anger, hinting at a shift in her emotions towards him. This speculation adds intrigue to the album, as fans eagerly await the release to unravel the full story behind the songs. Ultimately, "The Tortured Poets Department" is poised to be a deeply personal and relatable exploration of the complexities of human relationships, offering both solace and inspiration to listeners.