Why Fans Think Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets Department' Song Is 'Definitely' About Matty Healy
Matty Healy, Taylor Swift
When Taylor Swift announced her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, fans assumed it would be dominated by songs about her ex, Joe Alwyn. However, after the album dropped on April 19, Swifties quickly made connections between the titular track and one of her other reported ex-lovers, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy.
Track 2, titled "The Tortured Poets Department," paints a picture of a man that sounds an awful lot like Healy, many fans have speculated. For starters, the lyrics describe him as a "tattooed golden retriever," and the English singer-songwriter has plenty of ink to spare. Not to mention, plenty of fans agree that he at times has "golden retriever boyfriend" energy.
Swift also noted that she and the man "declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist," and Healy has publicly praised the singer via X.
“a tattooed golden retriever” i mean what else do i have to say. pic.twitter.com/GWNQuMPwic
— shelly ? (@balladofmaroon) April 19, 2024
Elsewhere, Swift notes that her lover "smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate." Healy often smokes cigarettes while performing during The 1975's shows. The band also has a song titled "Chocolate," which is about smoking marijuana.
“you smoked then ate 7 bars of chocolate” is pretty self explanatory that matty is the only ex of her who regularly smokes, but also the chocolate reference could be from the 1975’s song ‘chocolate’ where the word chocolate is used to describe ?? pic.twitter.com/m6jxq7BdoQ
— shelly ? (@balladofmaroon) April 19, 2024
Additionally, Swift sings, "You left your typewriter at my apartment," and Healy has spoken about his affinity for the antiquated writing tool.
“you left your typewriter at my apartment” matty mentioned his love for typewriters multiple times, he spoke about it in this interview for example and a typewriter is also always a part of the stage of the 1975 pic.twitter.com/2nszbssZgF
— shelly ? (@balladofmaroon) April 19, 2024
Swift also seemingly name-dropped boygenius member Lucy Dacus, a mutual friend of Swift and Healy, and producer Jack Antonoff, a longtime collaborator of Swift's and The 1975. She sings:
"Sometimes I wonder if you’re going to screw this up with me / But you tell Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave / And I had said that to Jack about you So I felt seen."
“sometimes i wonder if you’re gonna screw this up with me but you told lucy you’d kill yourself if i ever leave and i said that to jack about you so i felt seen” lucy dacus and jack antonoff are both mutual friends of taylor and matty pic.twitter.com/NesasQafYk
— shelly ? (@balladofmaroon) April 19, 2024
Swift and Healy were friends for years before their recent rumored dating. In 2014, rumors connected the two romantically, although a relationship was never confirmed. The "Anti-Hero" songstress more recently gave a surprise performance at a 1975 show in London in January 2022.
In May 2023, shortly after Swift's breakup with Alwyn, Healy attended a handful of her Eras Tour concerts. They were also photographed holding hands and kissing in New York City and leaving a recording studio together.
Of course, Swift is currently dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce—so things didn't work out in the long run for her and Healy. And now, Swifties might have a better understanding of why.
Next: Taylor Swift Throws Fans Into a Frenzy by Reacting to Post ‘Ranking’ Her Relationships
