Taylor Swift's comeback era: When pop star stunned her exes with blunt breakup anthems

Taylor Swift is best known for her songwriting and composing skills, as she is famously praised for reflecting sheer honesty in her lyrics. This quality is well received by her fans, as they feel that instead of bottling up her feelings, she chooses to express her vulnerabilities, a trait which sends a positive narrative among her fandom.

Along with appreciation, the 35-year-old musician constantly becomes a subject of blatant backlash for being so open, to the point that she’s accused of dragging her exes and portraying them as terrible people.

However, there’s a common misconception about Swift’s songwriting that she only writes songs about her romantic relationships, which some critics consider shallow. This misconception often leads to her innate skills being unfairly questioned.

The Blank Space hitmaker has also been called out multiple times for obsessing over her exes.

In addition, she’s criticised for having too many exes and for moving on too fast.

Back in March 2021, the Netflix hit show Ginny & Georgia featured controversial line that took a brutal swipe at Swift.

“What do you care? You go through men faster than Taylor Swift,” the dialogue said.

The …Ready For It? songstress quickly clapped back at the show’s creators, pointing out the sexist undertone of the dialogue.

Expressing her disappointment, she wrote, “Hey Ginny & Georgia, 2010 called and it wants its lazy, deeply sexist joke back. How about we stop degrading hard working women by defining this horse shit as FuNnY. Also, @netflix after Miss Americana this outfit doesn’t look cute on you. Happy Women’s History Month I guess.”

The Cardigan musician has openly expressed displeasure over such jokes. Despite harsh criticism, she has continued to share deeply personal moments through her lyrics.

Well, here’s a breakdown of the songs Swift is believed to have written about her famous former partners, calling them out through her artistic songwriting skills.

Matty Healy

Swift reportedly dated The 1975 front-man during the summer of 2023, right before getting romantically involved with NFL star, Travis Kelce.

According to US Weekly, her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, is speculated to be heavily inspired by Healy.

Although many assumed the album would center around her breakup with Joe Alwyn or her current relationship with Kelce, it turned out otherwise.

Songs allegedly about Healy include:

• The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
• Fresh Out the Slammer
• Fortnight
• Guilty as Sin?
• But Daddy I love Him

Joe Alwyn

Joe Alwyn was Swift’s longest relationship. The former couple began dating in September 2016, and their romance lasted approximately six and a half years, ending in March 2023.

According to multiple reports, they met at the 2016 Met Gala.

The 34-year-old English actor had a good reputation among Swifties as the Shake It Off singer had always spoken highly of him.

She famously wrote many love songs about him, reflecting their relationship dynamic.

However, her post-Folklore, many believe several tracks on the The Tortured Poets Department reference their split.

Fans interpreted that the honeymoon phase had faded, and the relationship faced complications, eventually leading to their breakup.

Songs rumoured to be about Alwyn:

• So Long, London
• Fresh Out the Slammer
• You’re Losing Me
• loml
• I Can Do It With a Broken Heart
• How did it end?
• Florida!!!

Harry Styles

Swift’s relationship with the former One Direction bandmate is still one of the most talked-about among fans. The pair briefly dated from late 2012 till early 2013.

Though short-lived, the romance left an everlasting impact.

Swift’s 1989 album is famously speculated to be about the Golden crooner.

Songs believed to be about Styles include:

• Style
• Out of the Woods
• I Know Places
• All You Had To Do Was Stay
• I Knew You Were Trouble
• Now That We Don’t Talk
• Is it Over Now?

Jake Gyllenhaal

Swift and Gyllenhaal had an on-and-off relationship that began in 2010. The duo had a noticeable age gap, she was 20 at the time and he was around 30.

Her fan-favourite album Red seemingly features songs about their tumultuous relationship and breakup. It was also rumoured to be her first serious adult relationship.

Songs widely believed to be about Gyllenhaal:

• All Too Well
• We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
• I Bet You Think About Me

After the release of All Too Well (10-Minute Version) in 2022, Gyllenhaal finally addressed the song, telling PEOPLE it “has nothing to do” with him.

Joe Jonas

Swift and Joe Jonas started dated briefly in the summer of 2008. Their relationship ended on a bitter note.

The Prophecy songstress publicly addressed their split on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, calling out Jonas for breaking up with her in a 25-second phone call, per PEOPLE.

According to Billboard, several tracks from Swift’s album Fearless and Speak Now albums are believed to be about Joe Jonas.

Those tracks include:

• Mr. Perfectly Fine
• Forever & Always
• Better Than Revenge
• Last Kiss
• Holy Ground

Notably, the pop sensation has always tried her best to keep her relationships private, but her loyal fans never miss a chance to decode Easter eggs and create theories.

Taylor Swift is currently dating Travis Kelce, with her romance beginning in the summer of 2023.