It is often said that you should write what you know, and Taylor Swift has never shied away from being a candid songwriter. The Grammy-winning songwriter has never hesitated to express her feelings through her music, especially when it comes to her previous failed relationships. Her discography is written like an emotional journal of her romantic relationships.
Given the significant influence her ex-partners had on her music, fans are naturally curious about her current and past relationships. She seems to have gone through the whole gamut of relationship highs and lows, from high school sweethearts to Oscar-nominated partners. Swift shares her experiences and lessons with her millions of fans through her songs, which serve as a kind of public diary.
Come explore the poignant tunes inspired by Swift’s encounters with five of her former boyfriends.
Also read: One Miley Cyrus Song Holds a Record Even Taylor Swift Can’t Beat
1. Harry Styles: Style
During their brief 2012 relationship, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles turned into the ultimate teen couple that captured the attention of the media. Page Six reported that the ex-couple, referred to as ‘Haylor’, went for a stroll in Central Park in December 2012, marking their first public appearance.
Their extremely brief romance served as the inspiration for Swift’s biggest hit, Style. The story of an enticing but ultimately doomed relationship that echoed the mysterious spirit of their time together is told in this song, which has an incredible melody and clever lyrics.
The new romance at the time had ‘Swiftie’ and the former member of One Direction going bonkers, but the romance was short-lived as the couple split up after three months.
2. Joe Jonas: Forever and Always
A pivotal moment in Taylor Swift’s singing career took place during her romance with Joe Jonas in 2008. In addition to being her initial prominent and public relationship, the Sucker singer was the first person the tabloids claimed to have inspired Swift’s songs. They broke up while she was completing her Fearless album in 2008.
Despite the short duration of her relationship with Jonas, their breakup left a lasting impression on her music. Swift’s vulnerability and unfiltered emotion were evident in Forever and Always, where she mused over a broken love tale. Many fans who have gone through similar heartbreak can relate to the heartbreaking melody, which perfectly expresses the pain of a relationship abruptly ending.
3. Conor Kennedy: Starlight
In 2012, Taylor Swift spent a few brief months dating Conor Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy. Given that Kennedy was only eighteen and Swift was twenty-two at the time, the unlikely pair did receive some attention. Swift and the Kennedy family had such a strong relationship that Swift purchased a house right next to their Massachusetts compound (per Rolling Stone).
Swift has never acknowledged writing any songs about Kennedy in particular, but as we learned from Rolling Stone, she was inspired by his grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, and their connection to the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. The song Starlight recalls the summer of 1945, when Ethel and Bobby (Robert F. Kennedy) first started dating. The beautiful melody and moving lyrics beautifully captured what it was like to start over after going through heartbreak.
Setting the stage for a better future, Swift masterfully conveyed the knowledge that true love might be around the corner.
4. Jake Gyllenhaal: All Too Well
Jake Gyllenhaal, do you remember All Too Well? Although the ex-couple’s relationship lasted only three months in 2010, Taylor Swift’s album Red featured a biting 10-minute version of the song All Too Well, which was about their breakup. The song has a lot to say about the actor.
All Too Well, arguably one of her most cathartic songs, was inspired by their turbulent relationship. This six-minute masterpiece showcases Swift’s mastery of poetry and her ability to tell a deeply moving story. She beautifully captured a love lost and the anguish that results from thinking back on the past with each note and word.
We Are Never Getting Back Together, State of Grace, and The Moment I Knew are among the songs allegedly inspired by him.
Also read: Taylor Swift Inches Away from Breaking Elvis Presley’s Monstrous Record
5. Taylor Lautner: Back to December
The couple, also referred to as ‘Taylor Squared’, first got together while rehearsing for Valentine’s Day, in which they played high school sweethearts. There are rumors that Taylor Lautner broke up with Swift because she was more into him than the other way around. She is said to have written Back to December about their romance, in which she allegedly attempted to make amends with the Twilight alum. The beautiful ballad showcased Swift’s growth as a musician with its soul-stirring melody and deep lyrics.
Lautner afterward remarked, “That is just what she does”, in response to the song, according to CNN.
Swift has chronicled her relationships with her ex-boyfriends in addition to penning hits that have peaked at the top of the charts, fostering a space for universal connection. Her music is proof that even amid heartbreak, art and healing can be found.
