taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” Decoded: A Guide to the album’s Hidden References
LOS ANGELES – Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” is proving to be a treasure trove of meticulously placed references, offering fans a deep dive into the artist’s personal history and current life. A close examination of the lyrics reveals a network of allusions to celebrities, past relationships, and even specific product launches connected to the album’s rollout.
“Fortnight” featuring post Malone
The song references Musso & Frank Grill, a Los Angeles institution frequented by celebrities since 1919, reflecting the old Hollywood glamour inspiring the album’s aesthetic.
“The smallest Man Who Ever Lived”
Lyrics allude to “White Diamonds,” the 1991 perfume created by Elizabeth Taylor, tying the song’s title directly to the iconic actress.
“Ruin the Friendship”
The lyrics “You drive, 85 / Gallatin Road and the lakeside beach” likely pinpoint a street in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville where Swift spent her adolescence. 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 School, I Lost Track of You / Abigail Called Me With The Bad News / Goodbye” references Swift’s childhood friend, abigail Anderson, previously mentioned in the song ”Fifteen” from the album Fearless.
“Wood”
The lyric “Redwood Tree / it ain’t hard to see” stems from a comment made by Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen yang on “The Bodybuilders” podcast,describing Swift and Travis Kelce as being “in the Redwood forest” due to their height. The phrase “New Heights of Manhood” is a direct reference to Kelce’s podcast, “New Heights.”
“Honey”
The lyrics “Summertime Spritz, Pink Skies” connect to the physical album variants. The exclusive Target vinyl edition, “The Crowd is Your King,” was described online as a “Rosé Summer Spritz Gloss.” Similarly, “Wintergreen Kiss, All Mine” references another variant, “The Shiny Bug Collection,” available in marbled vinyl featuring mint and onyx colors.The album also subtly links back to previous references; “Violet” is mentioned in “Elizabeth Taylor,” while “Onyx” appears in “Opalite.”