Since Taylor Swift’s latest album release on Friday, fans have been actively dissecting the lyrics, particularly those of one specific track, to decipher its hidden meanings.
“Actually Romantic,” a song seemingly about a fellow pop star, has ignited a flurry of speculation on social media, with many suggesting it’s a veiled critique of Charli XCX.
During a cinema screening accompanying the album release, Swift revealed that the track is, in fact, “a love letter to someone who hates you.”
The 35-year-old artist refrained from naming the subject of the song, but sarcastically expressed gratitude for their attention, stating, “It’s flattering.”
“Actually Romantic” is featured as the seventh track on Swift’s highly anticipated album, “The Life of A Showgirl.”
The song references another singer who reportedly labels Swift a “boring Barbie” and expresses their dislike through song.
Social media users are largely convinced that this is a response to Charli XCX’s “Sympathy is a Knife,” from her “Brat” album, a track allegedly penned about Swift.
In “Sympathy is a Knife,” Charli XCX sings about feelings of insecurity triggered by a woman present backstage at her boyfriend’s performance.
“Don’t know if it’s real or if I’m spiralling. One voice tells me that they laugh, George says, “I’m just paranoid”, the lyrics state.
She further adds: “Fingers crossed behind my back. I hope they break up real quick”.
Charli XCX’s then-boyfriend, now husband, George Daniel, is the drummer for The 1975. Swift briefly dated the band’s frontman, Matty Healy.
In her new track, Swift sings that it’s “actually romantic” how much time another pop star dedicates to her.
“It sounded nasty but it feels like you’re flirting with me,” she sings. “All the effort you’ve put in, it’s actually romantic.”
Neither artist has publicly confirmed whether their respective songs are about one another.
Last year, Swift publicly praised Charli XCX in an interview with New York Magazine, stating, “I’ve been blown away by Charli’s melodic sensibilities since I first heard ‘Stay Away’ in 2011.”
However, the new track has ignited speculation among fans about a possible resurgence of a previously alleged feud.
On Friday, a launch event film for “The Life of a Showgirl” was released in cinemas, featuring a music video alongside song explainers and behind-the-scenes footage.
In a brief introduction to “Actually Romantic,” Swift offered further insight into its meaning, stating that it’s about the unexpected realization of being a part of someone else’s narrative.
“There can be this moment where it’s unveiled to you, through things that they do that are very overt,” she explained.
“And, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve just started to be like, ‘Oh my God, you did so much with this. It’s flattering,'” she added.
“That is, wow, that is very, very sweet of you to think about me this much, even if it’s negative. In my industry, attention is affection, and you’ve given me a whole lot of it.”
At a “Swiftogeddon” club night in Clapham, south London, on Friday, attendees admitted to spending the day meticulously analyzing the album’s lyrics.
Anya, 24, from Brighton, attended the Taylor Swift-themed party with her friend Scarlett, 21.
Anya stated that she doesn’t have to do a lot of the decoding “because the internet does it for me.”
She expressed her conviction that “Actually Romantic” is about Charli XCX, adding that she could relate to the lyrics. “It’s universal, we’ve all had that feeling,” she told BBC News.
However, Tanya, 27, a dedicated Charli XCX fan, felt it was “not very fair or feminist” of Swift to seemingly take shots at her.
“I don’t think she should’ve done it. But, hey, freedom of expression, I guess.”
Fans have a long history of attempting to decode Swift’s lyrics and identify the targets of her songs. This new album is no exception.
Beyond the tracks clearly dedicated to her fiancé, Travis Kelce, other songs that have become the subject of internet speculation include “Father Figure” (believed to be about music executive Scott Borchetta).
Some have also speculated that “Cancelled!” addresses the status of her friendship with Blake Lively, and that “Opalite” is about Kelce’s ex, Kayla Nicole.
Swift, known for writing numerous break-up songs, has stated in the past that she will never confirm the specific subjects of her songs.
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