Taylor Swift is known for her star-studded cast and "torture poet ministry," She assembled the largest and most eclectic team to date. Modern musicians, historical figures and curious pseudonyms are sprinkled throughout the new album's titles and lyrics.
We’re long past the simple days of “Hey Steph” or Bobby on the boardwalk – there are a lot of names to remember! Here is a brief overview for your second, third, or fourth listening session.
Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith
Both writers spent time at the Chelsea Hotel, a former housing cooperative that many creatives called home. On the album's title track, Swift's narrator tells her boyfriend that they are neither Thomas nor Smith, but "modern-day idiots." It sounds like a wink of self-awareness—and despite the album's moody, preppy aesthetic, Swift doesn't see herself as one too. seriously.
Charlie Puth
In the same song, the narrator and her co-star agree that "Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist," much to the confusion of fans. But as a social media video shows, Puth thinks Swift is a "genius," so maybe she's just returning the love?
Regardless, a Puth feature on Swift's next album seems imminent.
lucy and jack
The bridge of "The Tortured Poets Department" references two people, Lucy and Jack, who appear to be mutual friends of the song's main couple. Fans were quick to speculate that if the song was about Swift's rumored ex-boyfriend Marty Healy, then Lucy and Jack could very well be Lucy Dax and Jack Antonoff.
Sarath and Hannah
It appears that "Sarah and Hannah" on "But Dad I Love Him" are just stand-ins for fans who don't support Swift's love life - ostensibly her rumored relationship with Healy in 1975, Healy's Issues The comment history has been controversial. Swift.
Swift inserted some digs about clutching her pearls and said these women "hate" her. That's not necessarily the best compliment to her fan base, but the Sarahs and Hannahs at X (formerly Twitter) didn't take it as an insult.
Clara Bow
Swift's "Clara Bow" explores themes of fame and authenticity through the lens of several iconic artists, including 1920s and 1930s Hollywood star Clara Bow. Bowe's great-granddaughters told People they felt the recognition — which included lines that became "a real thing" in a fake town — was a "hauntingly beautiful" tribute.
Stevie Nicks
Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks also received glowing praise, with Swift noting her iconic look and the way "the crowd went crazy at her fingertips" . Nicks wrote a poem for Variety 's Tormented Poets Division CD.
Not only have Nicks and Swift performed together in the past, Nicks recently said that Swift's "On Your Own, Kid" helped her following the death of her friend and bandmate Kristin McVie.
Taylor Swift
Does your own name count? Swift mentions her own name at the end of "Clara Bow," seemingly referring to someone who might one day be compared to her, but who has "advantages she never had." Fans naturally began speculating on who the line might be about, with several speculating that it was Swift's Eras Tour opener Sabrina Carpenter.
chloe or sam or sophia or marcus
Well, who? It doesn't seem to matter — the names in "Chloe or Sam or Sofia or Marcus" seem to be how Swift imagines her ex with someone else. Who they moved on with doesn't matter as much as the lingering hurt from a bad breakup.
Aristotle
On "So High School," Swift sings about how her relationship mimics the sweet simplicity of teenage romance. "You know how to play ball, I know Aristotle," she sang at one point. Their extracurricular interests may be different, and that's okay! It's like their own little high school musical . Or a “You Belong to Me” reprise.
Amy
The antagonist in "thanK you aIMee" is the titular Aimee, but the real calling may be hidden in the title's capital letters, which spell out "KIM." Fans have speculated that the thank-you-bullying bop - similar in spirit to Christina Aguilera's "The Fighter" - is about Kim Kardashian and the "Famous" controversy.
eve
There's no real mystery here. In "Prophecy," Swift compares herself to the biblical Eve as she pursues a doomed relationship. “I’m cursed like Eve was bitten,” she sings. "Oh, is this punishment?"
Cassandra
Another acclaimed legendary figure is the Greek mythological character Cassandra. Swift compared herself to a prophet who was never believed and said her life was "ignited" by doubters - which some fans again believe has something to do with Kim Kardashian drama.
peter
"Peter" depicts a former relationship through the lens of Peter Pan and Wendy. Swift reminds this "Peter" that he promised to find her when he grew up, but he never did. Of course, this isn't the first time Swift has used this kind of storybook imagery, having previously lamented "Peter lost Wendy" in 2020's "Cardigan."
Robin
"Robin" is a bright, whimsical song that uses animals like dinosaurs, tigers and dragonflies to paint a picture of a young child coming to understand the world around him. The title is likely a nod to co-writer Aaron Dessner's child Robin, which makes the song even sweeter.
