Inside Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department Album: Clues, Riddles And Hidden Meanings

Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, is finally out, and she has long been known to sprinkle each album with clues and riddles for her fans to solve. Many predicted that it would mostly revolve around her breakup with six-year boyfriend Joe Alwyn, whom she ended things with right before her record-breaking Eras Tour kicked off. However, the album’s thirty-one tracks are jam-packed with fresh poetry to read, bands worth seeking out, unusual holiday spots to explore, and allusions that seem to allude to another London boy, 1975’ Matty Healy. However, Healy isn’t the only one that receives recognition.

The following is a summary of some of the references required to understand The Tortured Poets Department:

The name of the album may refer to Joe Alwyn’s group chat:

It took Swifties a minute to connect the dots: The Tortured Poets Department might just be a nod to Joe Alwyn’s WhatsApp group with Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, known as The Tortured Man Club. However, it will remain unconfirmed.

Matty Healy:

Fans are speculating that several tracks from Tortured Poets such as The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, The Black Dog and Down Bad, could be inspired by Taylor’s rumoured encounters with Matty Healy, the frontman of 1975. This speculation stems from Swift’s mention of the band The Starting Line in The Black Dog, a group Healy covered on tour last spring. Additionally, the description of a “tattooed golden retriever” in the album’s title track seems to align with Healy, according to some fans.

Dylan Thomas:

Taylor Swift’s latest track doesn’t hold back, especially on the chorus, where she seems to make it crystal clear that her new beau is no Dylan Thomas. The legendary Welsh poet, known for his emotionally charged lyrical poetry filled with clever wordplay and vivid imagery, is a far cry from the subject of her scorn. Thomas, whose career began in the 1930s, is best known for works like “Do not go gentle into that good night,” a powerful piece urging readers to bravely fight against death’s inevitability.

Fortnight and Post Malone:

“I was supposed to be sent away/ But they forgot to come and get me/ I was a functioning alcoholic.” Taylor Swift has made many references to alcohol, starting with her 2017 album Reputation. While being a “functioning alcoholic” may draw criticism, it’s never a good idea to accept a lyric at face value because it’s art.

Charlie Puth:

“You smoked, then ate seven bars of chocolate/ We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.” Puth, a pop singer with a track record of success, is likely having quite an intriguing Friday. With hits like his 2015 track “See You Again,” which garnered three Grammy nominations, Puth’s career has been on a steady rise.

But Daddy I Love Him:

“The saboteurs protested too much/ … God save the most judgmental creeps/ Who say they want what’s best for me.”

It could be interpreted as a message to certain fans who expressed disapproval of Taylor Swift’s relationship with Healy due to his past “racist remarks” and “offensive jokes.”

Florida:

The mention of a northwest Florida beach, known for its crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands, in connection to Taylor Swift remains a mystery.

The Chelsea Hotel:

The Chelsea Hotel, infamous for its association with artists and musicians, seems like the perfect setting for the Tortured Poets Department. Playwright Arthur Miller, who stayed there for six years after his 1961 divorce from Marilyn Monroe, famously described it as “the high spot of the surreal.” The hotel has a rich history; Bob Dylan wrote Blonde on Blonde there, Andy Warhol filmed parts of Chelsea Girls, and it’s where Sid Vicious allegedly killed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. After Swift’s new album was released, the Chelsea Hotel shared on Instagram that they were “screaming” over the song and ready to welcome “Swifites.”

Travis Kelce:

The album has sparked some lively speculation among fans, particularly around the track The Alchemy. With lyrics like “So when I / Touch down, call the amateurs and cut ’em from the team / Ditch the clowns, get the crown, baby, I’m the one to beat,” many are pointing to football player Travis Kelce as the muse behind the song. Swift even sings, “Where’s the trophy? / He just comes running over to me,” in the bridge, adding to the sports-themed narrative. However, not all fans are convinced, noting that her use of the term “blokes” suggests the subject might not be American.

With the release of her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” Taylor Swift has not only gifted her fans with 31 songs but also a literary treasure hunt. Amidst the swipes at Matty Healy and jabs at Kim Kardashian, Swift has scattered literary Easter eggs for her fans to discover and delve into.