Taylor Swift's relationship history as told by her songs 💕
She puts her heart and soul into her music!
Taylor Swift is one of the biggest artists in the world, not only has she had a hugely successful music career so far, but she's also a talented songwriter. Her epic 'Eras' tour - which saw her welcome Ed Sheeran on stage in the UK - is now complete, but it's fair to say we've still got all of her songs on full volume... And repeat.
The 35-year-old, who has released 11 studio albums - the most recent being 'The Tortured Poets Department', including 'I Can Do It With A Broken Heart' - as well as four re-recorded albums, is well-known for using personal experiences as inspiration for her songs.
Having been in a few high-profile relationships over the years - including reportedly 'dating' and then 'splitting' from Matty Healy following her split from Joe Alwyn in April 2023 - it's no surprise that some of her previous boyfriends have been the subject of some of her biggest hits, including her new beau Travis Kelce. Let's take a look at some of Tay's biggest songs and who fans think they're about...
Taylor Swift's boyfriends: Who has she written songs about?
Joe Jonas
Taylor dated Joe Jonas in 2008, later reportedly writing 'Last Kiss' and 'Forever and Always' about him, but she more recently wrote 'Holy Ground' about the split which showed how she'd moved on and gained some good perspective over their relationship.
'Half of My Heart' with John Mayer - 2009
American rock legend John Mayer tweeted about wanting to record the song with Taylor in March 2009, he wrote, "Waking up to this song idea that won't leave my head. 3 days straight now. That means it's good enough to finish. It's called 'Half of My Heart' and I want to sing it with Taylor Swift."
Listen to 'Half My Heart' on YouTube.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Taylor dated the actor for around three months at the end of 2010, and fans think her song 'The Last Time' could be about him. In an interview, Taylor once explained the meaning behind the song, saying it was an "experience I had with someone who was kind of this unreliable guy. You never know when he's going to leave, you never know when he's going to come back, but he always does come back," leading many to think that Jake's actor lifestyle could have been an issue.
Possibly the most speculated song to be about Jake is Taylor's track 'All Too Well', which was re-released alongside a short film, alongside the new 10-minute version. The track discusses age difference, as well as uncertainty and insecurity around a relationship. Fans also couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance that the actors featuring in the short film - Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien - had to Taylor and Jake. It is also thought that 'The Manuscript', which features on the 11th album, revisits the story she told in her track 'All Too Well'.
Harry Styles
One of Taylor's most prominent former relationships was with former One Direction star Harry Styles in 2012 for a few months after allegedly being introduced by Ed Sheeran. The pair broke up later that year after they were involved in a snowmobile crash. Taylor's song 'I Knew You Were Trouble' is thought to be about Harry, as well as 'Out Of The Woods' - but this time, Taylor had a song written about her too, in the form of 'Two Ghosts'.
Calvin Harris
Taylor did not date for a while after her relationship with Harry ended in January 2013, but when she was introduced to DJ Calvin Harris by mutual friend Ellie Goulding in 2015 at the BRIT Awards, sparks flew. They dated for just under 18 months, but things turned sour when Taylor referenced Calvin in the music video for 'Look What You Made Me Do' along with her songwriting pseudonym Nils Sjoberg that she used for Calvin's song 'This Is What You Came For' with Rihanna.
Tom Hiddleston
One of Taylor's more short-lived relationships was with Marvel actor Tom Hiddleston. The pair were infamously papped frolicking in the sea together on a 4th July holiday weekend, with Tom wearing a t-shirt which read 'I ❤️ TS' - something she later referenced in her 'Look What You Made Me Do' music video.
Joe Alwyn
Taylor reportedly split from British actor Joe Alwyn in April 2023, having struck up a relationship in 2016. The pair kept their relationship very private, with Joe telling Vogue in 2018: "I'm aware people want to know about that side of things. I think we have been successfully very private, and that has now sunk in for people. But I prefer to talk about work." Her song 'Gorgeous' is thought to be about him.
However, Joe contributed to a few of Taylor's songs under the alias William Bowery over the course of their relationship - co-writing 'Exile', 'Betty', 'Champagne Problems', 'Coney Island', 'Evermore' and 'Sweet Nothing', also co-producing a handful of tracks too.
A year after Taylor's reported split from Joe, she released her 11th studio album 'The Tortured Poets Department', which is thought to contain various tracks about Joe. Fans speculate that the track 'So Long, London' documents her 'goodbye' to Joe.
Matty Healy
In May 2023, rumours were rife that Taylor was in a relationship with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, with images of the pair getting close sending fans into overdrive. When fans also spotted Matty hanging out with Taylor's dad, Scott, they took it as the confirmation they needed! Despite this, reports emerged a month later that they had 'split', with Matty cryptically spray painting 'Sorry?' onto a piece of material, on stage, in front of thousands of fans.
Following the release of Taylor's 11th album, 'The Tortured Poets Department', it was thought that numerous tracks referenced her alleged 'relationship' with the singer - these being 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived', 'Fortnight', and the most speculated 'Guilty as Sin?'.
It is also thought that Taylor's music video for 'Fortnight', featuring Post Malone, contains references to Matty - with striking comparisons being drawn to his 'Part Of The Band' music video, as well as physically Matty himself. These include Easter eggs such as Matty's iconic lab coat, glasses, long black coat and specific imagery.
Travis Kelce
Towards the end of 2023, reports began to swirl that Taylor was in a new relationship with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce - with Taylor attending his games and supporting his American football games. Travis was then spotted attending Taylor's 'Era Tour' shows, with the pair frequently embracing and kissing in front of fans. On top of that, the pair melted our hearts as Taylor embraced and congratulated Travis as his team won the 2024 NFL.
So, it comes as no surprise that her 11th album contained a track or two about her new man, with the most highly speculated track being 'The Alchemy', with fans convinced the lyrics detail their love for one another, referencing his football career and how their relationship helps them both thrive.
You can hear Taylor Swift's songs on the Cool FM playlist.
Now read:
Taylor Swift: All your questions answered on the 'Cardigan' singer 🎶
37 of Taylor Swift's best career moments so far
Taylor Swift’s biggest collaborations: From Ed Sheeran to Hayley Williams 🎶