Unveiling the Mysteries: Untangling the Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Connection in Her Songs

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. Getty Images (2)

Harry Styles still has not escaped the scrutiny of Taylor Swift fans. When the singer released 1989 (Taylor's Version) in October 2023, their previous relationship once again became a topic of interest for many listeners. In late 2012, Swift and Styles sparked rumors of romance when they were seen getting close during a Central Park outing. Their breakup was announced in January 2013, but despite its brevity, their relationship seemed to have a significant impact on Swift, as evidenced by the multiple tracks she seemingly wrote about their whirlwind romance.

Swift is known for keeping her song subjects a secret, but fans quickly picked up on hints that suggested Styles when her album 1989 was first released in October 2014. The strongest hint came from her song "Style."

During an interview on The Morning Show after the album came out, Swift revealed, "'Style' is actually about those relationships that never really end. There's always that one person who you feel could show up at your wedding and say, 'Stop, we're not finished yet.' I believe everyone has someone who comes and goes in their life, and the story is never truly finished."

Styles, on the other hand, consistently appeared unfazed by Swift's music.

During an interview on The Howard Stern Show in March 2020, he expressed his perspective, saying, "Even if the song isn't particularly flattering, it's important to acknowledge the effort put into it. Taylor, for instance, is undeniably a talented songwriter, so her songs hold their own merit."

Keep scrolling to uncover which of Swift’s songs are apparently about Styles:

‘Out of the Woods’

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In order to grasp the connection between Styles and the Styles connection, it is necessary to analyze and deconstruct the bridge in the song "Out of the Woods".

Referencing Styles' notorious snowmobile accident in December 2012, Swift sings, "Remember when you hit the brakes too soon? / Twenty stitches in the hospital room." This alludes to the incident where Styles suffered injuries and was photographed with a bandage on his chin.

The song also references “two paper airplanes flying,” which appears to reference the paper airplane necklaces Styles and Swift wore throughout their time together.

‘Style’

During an appearance on On Air with Ryan Seacrest in October 2014, Swift acknowledged that the song speaks for itself. The lyrics, such as "long hair, slicked back, white t-shirt," could possibly be referencing Styles.

‘I Wish You Would’

Fans have speculated that this track is also about Styles because Swift told Ryan Seacrest that the songs are about two people who were not “synced up.”

‘Now That We Don’t Talk’

The song "1989 (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)" seems to allude to the alterations in Styles' appearance following his breakup with Swift, particularly with the lyrics "you grew your hair long." Fans of One Direction are well aware that Styles sported long, curly locks during the 2014 Where We Are tour.

‘Is It Over Now?’

This vault track, perhaps, has the most references to Styles.

In addition to alluding to "Out of the Woods" with the lyrics "when you lost control / red blood, white snow," Swift also mentions her experience of wearing a blue dress on a boat.

Following her breakup with Styles, there were photographs of Swift wearing a blue dress while she sat aboard a boat. Styles promptly moved on and began dating blonde model Paige Reifler.

“Your new girl is my clone,” Swift sings on the track. Elsewhere she references her ex lover searching “in every model’s bed for somethin’ greater.”