taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” โคDecoded: A Guide to the album’s Hidden References
LOS ANGELES – Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio โalbum, “The Tortured Poets Department,”โ is proving โคto be โขa treasure troveโค of meticulously placed references, offering fans a deep dive into the artist’s personal history and current life. A close examination of theโ lyrics reveals a network of allusions to celebrities, past relationships, and even specific product launches connected to the album’s โrollout.
“Fortnight” featuringโฃ post Malone
The song references Mussoโค & Frank โฃGrill, a Los Angeles institution frequented by celebrities since 1919, reflecting the old โHollywood glamour inspiring the โขalbum’s aesthetic.
“The smallest Man Who Everโ Lived”
Lyrics allude toโ “White Diamonds,” the 1991 perfume created by Elizabeth Taylor, tying the โsong’s title directly to โขthe iconic actress.
“Ruin the Friendship”
The lyricsโ “Youโข drive, 85 / Gallatin Road and the lakeside beach”โ likelyโค pinpoint a street in Hendersonville, Tennessee, โขa suburb of Nashville where Swift spent her โadolescence. The mention of “The 50 Cent Song Played,” “prom,” and “Second period” further anchors the song in Swift’s high school years of the early 2000s, when 50 Cent was at the peak of his popularity. The line “When I Left โSchool, I Lost Track of You / Abigail Called Me With The Bad News โ/ Goodbye” references Swift’s childhood friend, abigail Anderson, previously mentionedโฃ in the song โ”Fifteen” from the album โ Fearless.
“Wood”
The lyric “Redwood Tree โ/ it ain’t hard to see” stems fromโ a comment made by Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen yang on “The โBodybuilders” podcast,describing Swift and Travis Kelce as being “in the Redwood forest” due to their height. The phrase “Newโ Heights of Manhood” is a direct reference toโข Kelce’s podcast, “New Heights.”
“Honey”
The lyrics “Summertime Spritz, Pink Skies” connect to the โphysical album โคvariants. The exclusive Target vinyl edition, “Theโ Crowd is Your King,” was described onlineโ as a “Rosรฉ Summer Spritz Gloss.” Similarly, “Wintergreen Kiss, All โMine” referencesโ another variant, “Theโ Shiny โฃBug Collection,” available โคin marbled vinyl featuring mint and onyx colors.The album also subtly links back to previous โขreferences; “Violet” is mentioned in “Elizabeth Taylor,” while “Onyx” appears in “Opalite.”