Contrary to popular belief, not all Taylor Swift songs are about a breakup.
But she has a long list of ex-lovers. And throughout her decades-long career, she has written songs inspired by them, although she is outspoken about critics who judge her for it. “Nobody says that about Ed Sheeran. Nobody says that about Bruno Mars,” she said. saying in 2014.
Still, if her new Chiefs fan friends have noticed anything during her budding relationship with Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce, it’s that her love life will always be a topic of conversation, for better or worse.
Take a look at Swift’s ex-boyfriends, who have inspired some, but not all, of her musical catalog. And for those who criticize her choice of inspiration? The singer put it best: “If kids don’t want me to write bad songs about them, then they shouldn’t do bad things.”
Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriends
Joe Jonas
Swift’s romantic relationships first came to light when she began dating Joe Jonas. Swift and Jonas began their relationship in July 2008 and ended three months later. Swift spilled the tea on the breakup and revealed that Jonas called it off with a 25-second phone call.
She later apologized to Jonas for sharing that tidbit, and the two remained on good terms despite what seemed like a messy breakup. However, that may not be the case now, as she is good friends with Jonas’ ex-wife, Sophie Turner.
many songs in Bravehis second album, presumed to be about Jonas, including “Forever & Always” and the vault track “Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor version)“.
Taylor Lautner
Taylor and Taylor took the world by storm in the fall of 2009. Their relationship began after the two starred in the movie “Valentine’s Day,” in which they play a couple of high school students. The two did not date for long and it can be inferred that Swift broke up with Lautner in December 2009 thanks to the song “Back to december“.
The duo remains friends today, with Lautner starring in the music video for “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version)” and even taking the stage during the Eras Tour stop in Kansas City. Lautner’s wife, Taylor Dome, is also a Swift fan.
Taylor Lautner, his wife Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift recreate Spider-Man! #TalkNowTaylorsVersion pic.twitter.com/ACawIr04Ol
— The Eras Tour (@TSTheErasTour) July 8, 2023
John Mayer
One of the most controversial relationships, Swift dated John Mayer from December 2009 to February 2010. He remains one of Swifties’ most hated exes due to the 12-year age difference between the couple. She mentioned his name on her third album with the song “Dear John”.
Dear John, I see it all now that you’re goneDon’t you think I was too young to be picked on?The girl in the dress cried all the way home.Dear John, I see it all now, it was wrong.Don’t you think nineteen is too young?Being played for your dark and twisted games when I loved you so much?I should have known
Mayer denied any wrongdoing after the song’s release and even responded with her own song, “Paper Doll,” but the damage was done.
In fact, the situation only got worse for the famous musician when Swift released “Woulda, coulda, shoulda.” In the song, she references a toxic relationship from when she was 19. It doesn’t directly relate to Mayer, but Swifties are convinced.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal is possibly Swift’s most famous ex-boyfriend. How can you forget the theme of a 10-minute heartbreak anthem?
The two dated from roughly October 2010 to January 2011, but even in that short time, it inspired much of “Red,” Swift’s fourth studio album. In particular, she inspired “All Too Well”, which transformed from a five-minute track to 10 minutes with the release of “Red (Taylor’s Version)”.
In the song, he refers to a scarf he left at his sister’s house. In real life, after the breakup, Gyllenhaal was seen wearing a scarf (supposedly Swift’s) many times. Additionally, the actor is nine years older than the singer, which is also referenced in the song.
Swift directed and produced a short film for the song, starring Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink. It won multiple music and awards from MTV and the 2023 Grammy for Best Music Video.
Conor Kennedy
Swift briefly dated Robert F. Kennedy’s grandson, Conor Kennedy, during the summer of 2012. A handful of songs on “Red,” among the few not inspired by Gyllenhaal, were presumed to have been written about Kennedy, including “Starlight” and “Start again.” The duo generated some criticism because Swift was 22 years old and Kennedy was 18 at the time of their relationship.
Swift purchased a home near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, despite what turned out to be a short-lived relationship.
Harry styles
Of course there was a crossover between Swift and One Direction. The singer dated band member Harry Styles for a few months starting in 2012. Naturally, she inspired a handful of songs, including “I knew you were a problem” and “Style“.
While the two get along well now, Swift criticized her fellow musician during her 2013 Grammys performance by mocking his accent.
Calvin Harris
Swift’s relationship with DJ Calvin Harris lasted from March 2015 to May 2016.
The two got along well she Style Awards after being presented by Ellie Goulding. They clicked and a few months later made their debut as a couple at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.
Swift and Harris shortly after turning one year old. It started off as a relatively drama-free breakup, as Harris tweeted that she had “love and respect” for the singer. But when Swift was spotted with Tom Hiddleston two weeks later, things got complicated. The two co-wrote the lyrics and music to Rihanna’s hit “This Is What You Came For,” sparking drama on social media over who really wrote the song.
A few months after their split, Harris released a song called “Olé” with John Newman. He appears to accuse Swift of cheating with Hiddleston. There were never more accusations.
Tom Hiddleston
Swift met the actor at the 2016 Met Gala and the two danced the night away. Following her breakup with Harris, Swift was photographed with Hiddleston in Rhode Island. Things moved quickly, as the couple met and greeted parents and attended the Selena Gomez concert together. During a day at the beach, the infamous “I heart TS“The sleeveless shirt was born.
During relationships, doubts arose about whether it was real or not. Some believed it was a fake relationship, as the only photographs taken of the two were paparazzi photos. Either way, Swift and Hiddleston broke up in September of that year.
Joe Alwyn
For a time, British actor Joe Alwyn seemed to be the end game for Swift. They dated for almost six years starting in May 2017, so they surprised the world when they broke up in April 2023.
Alwyn was the inspiration for the songs “Reputation” and “Lover.”“,” and even collaborated with Swift as a writer for “Folklore” and “Evermore.” The two kept their relationship private most of the time, as Alwyn wasn’t a fan of the public eye. With status like Swift’s, it was difficult to keep up.
During their years together, there were often rumors of engagement or marriage. Swift had another revelation in “You’re losing me” when he sang:
And I wouldn’t marry me eitherA pathological people pleaser.Who just wanted you to see her?
Although their breakup was described as not very dramatic, it seems that their new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” attacks Alwyn. The setlist includes a song titled “So Long, London” and Alwyn was in a group chat titled “The Tortured Man Club.”
April 19 ?https://t.co/WdrCmvLHyA pic.twitter.com/1qSQqzYgEf
—Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 6, 2024
matty healey
Shortly after Swift’s split from Alwyn, she began dating The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. She attended many of his Eras Tour concerts and they were often seen together at parties and outdoor gatherings. It never became anything serious and their relationship ended in June.
Healy received backlash from Swifties during the duo’s short time together due to her problematic behavior and comments, which included a critique of Ice Spice, with whom Swift collaborated on “Karma“.
