Taylor Swift's Sneaky Easter Eggs: Unveiling 'The Tortured Poets Department' Clues in Song Liners

Taylor Swift Throws It Back Dropping Tortured Poets Department Easter Eggs in Song Liners

Taylor Swift Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift is bringing back a classic approach with her hints for The Tortured Poets Department Easter eggs, leaving subtle clues on Apple Music.

The music platform made a sneaky change to its bio on Saturday, April 13th, saying, "A word a day until the @taylorswift13 album is released."

Swifties were quick to search through their Apple playlists after noticing something unusual in the lyric page for Midnights tune “Glitch”. They found a pattern of capital letters scattered throughout the lyrics, which may seem random to some. However, fans are aware that when the talented hitmaker, 34, starts capitalizing letters seemingly at random, there is always a hidden message.

Word No. 1: Hereby

In the “Glitch” lyric page, the letters H, E, Y, E, R, and B were discovered, forming the word “hereby” when unscrambled.

After uncovering the word, Swift's fans began speculating on the connection between "hereby" and The Tortured Poets Department.

One fan on X commented that Taylor Swift's new album makes her sound like the author in Bridgerton. They excitedly stated, "I hereby release this album."

Some fans noted that the word "hereby" is defined as "with these words or with this action" and speculated that it could be a lyric in Taylor Swift's upcoming album.

Swift’s official fan account chimed in later that night, writing via X, “Hm… we might have to do a little more searching. @AppleMusic, same time tomorrow?”

Taylor Swift Throws It Back Dropping Tortured Poets Department Easter Eggs in Song Liners

Taylor Swift Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Word No. 2: Conduct

Clue number two was revealed in the lyrics of the song "Peace" from Taylor Swift's 2020 album Folklore. The Taylor Nation Instagram account shared the news with fans on Sunday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET, hinting at a new clue. The first word of the clue was confirmed to be "hereby." Swifties quickly deciphered the capitalized letters and figured out the message.

One observant fan on X noted a possible connection to Taylor's recent Apple Music playlists. They suggested that each phase of playlists may correspond to different stages. For example, the denial playlist with the song "Glitch" could relate to the first clue "hereby," and the bargaining playlist with "Peace" led to the clue "Conduct."

Some fans think there may be a link to her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. One Swiftie mentioned, "Both songs about Joe too, hereby in glitch and conduct in peace."

Swift announced at the Grammys this year that her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, will be out on April 19. She wrote this LP after finishing 2022's Midnights, using it to deal with a tough period in her life.

During a February concert in Australia, Swift expressed how important making [TTPD] was for her. She mentioned that songwriting is like a lifeline for her, especially during difficult times. Swift emphasized that Tortured Poets was a project where she truly needed songwriting to help her through.

Known for leaving subtle hints for her fans, Swift once again teased something on Instagram on Sunday, April 14.

On her Instagram, she shared a quote expressing her wish to forget the almost perfect moments we once had, while also promoting Target's clear vinyl edition of TTPD.

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Fans have speculated that The Tortured Poets Department reflects Swift's feelings following her breakup with Alwyn, 33, based on an Instagram quote and clues in the album's tracklist.

Swift and Alwyn were in a relationship for six years from 2016 to early 2023. Since then, the pop star has found love with football player Travis Kelce, who showed his excitement over an early copy of TTPD.

Kelce, who is 34 years old, expressed his excitement during a press conference in February ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. He mentioned that he had heard some of it and found it to be unbelievable. Kelce eagerly anticipates the release, stating, "I can't wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops."

The Tortured Poets Department is set to be released on Friday, April 19.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," is highly anticipated by fans. The album's title and lyrics hint at a deeply personal and emotional journey, reflecting Swift's struggles during a challenging period in her life. The release of cryptic clues through Apple Music and social media platforms has created a buzz among Swifties, who eagerly speculate on the album's themes and connections to Swift's past relationships.

Swift's use of wordplay and hidden meanings is a testament to her artistry and her ability to engage with her fans on a deeper level. The clues, such as the capitalized letters in song lyrics, have sparked discussions and theories, fostering a sense of community among Swifties. This interactive approach not only builds anticipation for the album but also allows Swift to connect with her audience in a meaningful way, creating a shared experience that transcends the music itself.