When Taylor Swift announced The Tortured Poets Department in February, she described the album as "a secret I've been keeping from you for the past two years." Considering the time frame, moody aesthetic, and track list like "So Long, London" and "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart," fans predicted the musician's 11th studio album would be a hit Probably a record about a breakup. The final days of her relationship with actor Joe Alwyn.
But there also appear to be nods to new relationships on the album — with songs like "Alchemy," which fans quickly speculated could be about Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce.
Come get your hands on cheeky sports references. Leaving behind more emotional lyrics that may reveal deeper aspects of the musician's personal life.
All football metaphors
Remember the fake audio that went viral? It imagined what a Swift song about her Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend would sound like? (To jog your memory: "So glad my Travy is in the big game...") Well, that's not too far off.
"Alchemy" uses football imagery to depict a blossoming relationship - though she can't help but compare it to past romances. "So when I land, call the amateurs, cut them off the line," Swift sings in the chorus.
Later, she described her "streak" and painted a delightful victory scene about becoming "the greatest in the league."
"Where's the trophy? He just ran to me," Swift continues at the end of the song — a sweet lyric that would have been perfect for the soundtrack to Swift and Kelce's Super Bowl kiss clip.
acknowledgment of her relationship history
Football terminology is the most obvious clue as to what "Alchemy" means, but there may also be more subtle nods to Swift's personal life. "It's been a long time since I've been back, but I'm coming back to where I belong," she sings at one point. The words seemed to echo sentiments she expressed in her Time magazine Person of the Year interview, in which she spoke out about her return to the public eye after a more private era.
"I locked myself in my house for years - I was never coming back," she told the magazine. “I have more trust now than I did six years ago.”
In "Alchemy," the narrator tells her singer "I circled you on the map," which may be a playful nod to her joke about putting Kells on the map.
Finally, the title of the song itself - repeated in the line "Who are we against Alchemy?" — evokes a connection stronger than a chemical reaction. Even though Swift and Kelce seem to be getting close quickly, "Alchemy" shows that neither wants to fight their strong feelings.
alchemy
Read the full lyrics to “Alchemy” below.
This happens every few lives
These chemicals hit me like white wine
What if I tell you I'm back? The hospital is a burden
Worst sleep I've ever had, I circled you on the map
I haven't been here for a long time
But I'll come back strong
So when I land, call the amateurs and remove them from the team
Ditch the clown, get the crown, baby, I'm the one to beat
Because the sign on your heart says it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight alchemy?
Hey you, what if I told you we were cool?
Under my rule, that child's play at school is forgivable
I haven't been here for a long time
But I'm returning to where I belong
So when I land, call the amateurs and remove them from the team
Ditch the clown, get the crown, baby, I'm the one to beat
Because the sign on your heart says it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight alchemy?
These guys warmed up the bench and we were on a winning streak
He joked "It's heroin, but this time it's an E"
Because the sign on your heart says it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight alchemy?
Take off your shirt and your friend lifts you above your head
Beer stuck to the floor and cheers chanted as they said
"No chance of being the greatest in the league"
Where is the trophy? he just ran to me
Land, call amateurs and remove them from the team
Ditch the clown, get the crown, baby, I'm the one to beat
Because the sign on your heart says it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight alchemy?
These guys warmed up the bench and we were on a winning streak
He joked "It's heroin, but this time it's an E"
Because the sign on your heart says it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight alchemy?
This happens every few lives
These chemicals get me like white wine
