Taylor Swift’s New Song Hints at Unexpected Inspiration: Kim Kardashian‘s 2016 Birthday Message
Taylor Swift’s latest release,The Life of a Showgirl,appears to contain a subtle but notable nod to a 2016 birthday message from Kim Kardashian,resurfacing a previously overlooked moment in the ongoing narrative of Swift’s public image and relationships. The opening track references the character Ophelia from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, framing a personal narrative of rescue and renewed hope.
The song’s lyrics,”I heard you calling / On the megaphone,” and “You wanna see me all alone,” echo a specific instance in July 2016 when Kardashian publicly wished Swift a happy birthday via Instagram,accompanied by a photo of the singer and Kardashian’s then-husband,kanye West. At the time, the gesture was widely interpreted as a pointed attempt to publicly acknowledge Swift following a dispute over West’s song “Famous.” Lyrics continue, ”I swore loyalty to me, myself and I, / right before you lit my sky up.”
Prior to this period, Swift had recently ended a relationship with Calvin Harris and was briefly linked to actor Tom Hiddleston. The song’s narrative suggests a shift in perspective following a period of self-reliance. “You dug me out of my grave and saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia / Keep it one hundred,” Swift sings, hinting at a turning point.
Interestingly, Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, foreshadowed the song’s themes in July 2023, posting on Instagram with the caption, “Had some adventures this offseason,” and adding, “Kept it [100].” This connection reinforces the song’s layered references and Swift’s well-known penchant for Easter eggs. The inclusion of this 2016 moment adds a new dimension to the song’s interpretation, suggesting a complex interplay of past events and present relationships within Swift’s songwriting.
