The Evolution of Taylor Swift's 'Lover': From Wedding Anthem to Cautionary Tale

Examining How Taylor Swift's 'Lover' Went From Go-To Wedding Song to a Track About 'Red Flags'

Taylor Swift. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Swift fans around the world are reconsidering their choice for a wedding song after Taylor Swift included "Lover" in her playlist before the release of The Tortured Poets Department.

The 34-year-old singer released the title track from her seventh studio album as a single a week before the full album came out in August 2019.

I was in Nashville, lying in bed when inspiration struck. It was late at night when I decided to get up and make my way over to the piano.

I had always dreamed of creating a song that would make people in love want to slow dance. In my mind, I envisioned just two people left on the dance floor at 3:00 AM, swaying to the music.

Swift had been in a three-year relationship with Joe Alwyn at the time. Although she had not spoken much about their romance (and still hasn't, except through her lyrics), fans quickly assumed that Alwyn was the inspiration behind the song. This assumption was partly based on the line: “I’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you / I’ve loved you three summers now, honey, but I want ’em all.” The song led to years of speculation about whether the couple was engaged or secretly married, which turned out to be false. The bridge of Lover even hinted at weddings.

In the song, Swift sings, “Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand? / With every guitar string scar on my hand / I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover.” She continues, “My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue / All’s well that ends well to end up with you / Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover.” Fans have also connected various songs believed to be about Alwyn with mentions of the color blue.

Swift shared during her NPR Tiny Desk concert that she holds a special pride for the lyrics of the song she was about to perform. She explained that the specific line, "With every guitar string scar on my hand / I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover," holds a deep significance for her. Swift expressed that this line resonates with her because she has dedicated a lot of time to writing songs about heartbreak, disappointment, and the challenges of life. Songwriting serves as a therapeutic outlet for her to process and express difficult experiences she has faced.

She mentioned having physical scars on her hand, but she sees them as a symbol of life experiences. Taylor Swift emphasized the importance of finding a partner who accepts you for who you are, including your past struggles. She expressed that life is about collecting both positive and negative experiences, and it's essential for someone to embrace all aspects of you, even the scars.

Swift shared with NYT for their "Diary of a Song" series that she first came up with part of the chorus, "Can I go where you go? / Can we always be this close forever and ever?" while sitting at the piano. However, she ended up writing the entire song by herself that very night.

Explaining her creative process, Swift mentioned, "I

The signs that "Lover" was not the perfect wedding song for Swifties were always present, even before the news of Swift and Alwyn's split in April 2023. Swift herself reflected on the song, expressing her uncertainty about forever and her fear of the answer. This sentiment was also echoed in her song "Peace" from 2020's Folklore, written during her relationship with Alwyn, where she explores similar fears of a partner's inability to commit.

Fast forward a year, Swift is now happily dating Travis Kelce, who is comfortable with her fame. Prior to this new romance, fans noticed that Swift appeared upset when performing "Lover" and other love songs from that era during her tours following her breakup with Alwyn.

Swift created even more buzz around the song when she connected it to the "grief" stage of her "Five Stages of Heartbreak" (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) while promoting her upcoming 10th album, The Tortured Poets Department, in April 2024.

She explained to her fans that the playlist on Apple Music titled "Denial: I Love You, It's Ruining My Life Songs" is a collection of songs about becoming so engrossed in a concept that it becomes difficult to see warning signs, leading to moments of denial and perhaps a touch of delusion.

Some fans have been stirred up by the inclusion of the song, causing them to speculate on whether Taylor Swift's love songs like "Lover" and "Sweet Nothing" actually depict relationships that are doomed to fail, despite initially feeling like they had found their soulmate.

Certain Swifties are on the lookout for warning signs, pointing to lyrics like "I’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you" as evidence. Others are reevaluating lines such as "And at every table, I’ll save you a seat, lover," suggesting that the person Swift sings about may have been absent during important moments in retrospect.

It’s possible that the release of TTPD will only fuel speculation among fans who believe that Alwyn is the muse behind many songs. Reflecting on the NYT article about "Lover," Swift acknowledged that the word "lover" can be divisive - "anything I do is polarizing," she remarked. In fact, Swift may have subtly hinted at a clue for the album that has been years in the making.

"I've always been fond of that word, but I've never used it in casual conversations like, 'That's my lover over there,' or referring to each other as lovers. It's not something I do, but I've always appreciated it in the context of poetry or songs," she explained.

Years later, fans will get a closer look at how Swift feels about poetry when The Tortured Poets Department drops on April 19.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's "Lover" has stirred emotions among fans, leading them to question its suitability as a wedding song. The song's lyrics, which initially hinted at a blissful and enduring love, have taken on a new significance in light of Swift's recent heartbreak. Fans are now analyzing the song's lyrics for clues about the relationship's demise, speculating that the song may have foreshadowed its eventual end.

The release of Swift's upcoming album, "The Tortured Poets Department," has further fueled speculation. The album's title and accompanying playlist suggest a theme of heartbreak and loss, prompting fans to wonder if the album will provide more insights into Swift's relationship with Alwyn. The inclusion of "Lover" in the "Denial" playlist has raised questions about the song's true meaning, leaving fans to ponder the complexities of Swift's love life and the enduring power of her music to both inspire and reflect upon the human experience.