Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' Sets New Spotify Streaming Record

Taylor Swifts The Tortured Poets Department Breaks Record for Most Spotify Streams in Single Day

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

Taylor Swift poured her heart out on The Tortured Poets Department, which has already started making history in less than 24 hours since its release.

Swift, who is 34 years old, released her 11th studio album on Friday, April 19, to a wave of excitement from fans. Within just 18 hours of fans hitting play, Spotify announced that TTPD has become the first album in the platform's history to reach over 300 million streams in a single day.

The Tortured Poets Department made history in 2024 by breaking the record for the most-streamed album in a single day just 12 hours after its release. Surpassing popular albums like Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine, the TTPD album continued to gain momentum. The lead single, “Fortnight (featuring Post Malone),” also achieved a milestone by becoming the most-streamed song in a single day on the platform.

Swift albums dominate the top three spots for the most-streamed albums in a single day on Spotify. Following TTPD is Swift’s 2022 album, Midnights, and her October 2023 release, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which holds the third spot. Additionally, Taylor Swift maintains her position as the most streamed artist in a single day on Spotify, surpassing her own record set with the rerelease of 1989 last year.

TTPD was released at exactly midnight on Friday, just two hours before Swift surprised us with the news that the album is actually a double album. She had 15 more songs to share with her fans.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Swift described TTPD as "An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions, and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time. This period of the author's life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed."

Taylor Swifts The Tortured Poets Department Breaks Record for Most Spotify Streams in Single Day

The Tortured Poets Department ANTONIN UTZ/AP via Getty Images)

Upon further reflection, it became clear that many of the tears shed were self-inflicted. I believe that when we write down our saddest stories, our tears transform into something sacred on the page. It is a way for us to release ourselves from the pain.

Swift's latest album is mainly inspired by heartbreak from her past relationships. She went through breakups with Joe Alwyn, whom she dated from 2016 to 2023, and Matty Healy, a short-lived romance the following spring. In addition, Swift addresses her feud with Kim Kardashian in songs like "thanK you aIMee" and "Cassandra," referencing their disagreements over Kanye West's controversial 2016 phone call.

TTPD isn't just about negative emotions. Her relationship with her boyfriend Travis Kelce is portrayed in both "The Alchemy" and "So High School."

In "So High School," she sings, "Truth, dare, spin bottles / You know how to ball, I know Aristotle," referencing Kelce's career as a professional football player. She continues, "Brand-new, full throttle / Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto / It's true, swear, scouts honor / You knew what you wanted and, boy, you got her."

What is your favorite song on Taylor Swift's album 'The Tortured Poets Department'?

In the song "So High School," Swift mentions Kelce, 34, who showed up to her Eras Tour concert in Kansas City with a DIY friendship bracelet that had his phone number on it. Even though they didn't meet in July 2023, he shared the story on his podcast "New Heights" and she reached out to him.

The Tortured Poets Department is out now.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," is a deeply personal and introspective exploration of her past relationships and experiences. The album's title itself reflects the raw and emotional nature of the songs, which delve into themes of heartbreak, loss, and growth. Swift's lyrics are particularly poignant and evocative, as she bares her soul and shares her innermost thoughts and feelings with her listeners.

The album's lead single, "Fortnight," featuring Post Malone, has already become a fan favorite, and the album as a whole has received widespread critical acclaim. Swift's songwriting has never been stronger, and her ability to connect with her audience on a deeply emotional level is truly remarkable. "The Tortured Poets Department" is a must-listen for any fan of Taylor Swift or simply anyone who enjoys well-crafted and emotionally resonant music.