Why fans think new Taylor Swift lyrics have cryptic meaning about Joe Alwyn relationship

“The Tortured Poets Department” release is just a few days away — and Swifties are already busy decoding the snippets the popstar has already shared.

Taylor Swift teamed up with Spotify for a special “library installation” pop-up at The Grove in Los Angeles this week — featuring carefully curated items regarding the “Cruel Summer” singer’s new album.

One of the pieces on display even gave away some of the forthcoming song lyrics, which fans believe to be about her relationship with Joe Alwyn.

“Even statues crumble / If they’re made to wait,” an open book read, placed atop a white doily and dried flowers.

Joe Alwyn and Taylor Swift.
Swifties believe Taylor Swift — once again — hinted at her split from Joe Alwyn in new song lyrics.TheImageDirect.com
"The Tortured Poet's Department."
Swift surprised fans with a pop-up experience in Los Angeles ahead of the release of “The Tortured Poets Department.”
Taylor swift pop-up
The pop-up was meticulously curated with items relating to Swift’s new album.APEX / 

Although it’s unclear what song the lyrics are about, fans were quick to voice their theories online, suggesting that Swift “wanted to get married” to Alwyn but he didn’t feel the same.

“Omgggg she was so excited to marry him she would’ve marry him with paper rings but he was just wasting time,” one fan wrote on X.

“my girlie wanted to be his bride so much,” another added, as a third chimed in, “she waited six years for that ring 🥺.”

Taylor Swift "TTPD" pop up
The pop star shared cryptic lyrics from a new song in one display.Twitter/chartstswift
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn
Fans believe Swift hinted that she got tired of waiting for Alwyn to propose.TheImageDirect.com
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn.
“my girlie wanted to be his bride so much,” one X user wrote.Hewitt / SplashNews.com

Another fan who went to the exhibit noted that one of the sculptures set out appeared to be of Diana of Ephesus, “the goddess of childbirth and fertility and the goddess of the moon.”

“The original statue of Diana crumbled while waiting to be shipped to London in the 6th century due to years of neglect, succumbing to the passage of time and the elements.”

The “All Too Well” songstress, 34, dated the “Harriet” actor, 33, for six years before their shocking breakup was made public in April 2023.

The pair were notoriously private during their romance, often spending most of their time hidden away in Alwyn’s home country of England.

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn.
The pair split in 2023 after six years of dating.London Entertainment/Splash
Joe Alwyn
Neither Swift nor Alwyn have ever confirmed the reason for their split.Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Track No. 5 — historically known as Swift’s most “vulnerable, personal, honest [and] emotional” song — on the “TTPD” tracklist is notably called “So Long, London.”

“This is DEFINITELY from so long london,” one fan speculated, as another agreed, “Ok calling it now this is from So long, London.”



Although neither Alwyn nor Swift has ever publicly revealed the reason for their split, the 14-time Grammy winner previously hinted that it had to do with the “Conversations with Friends” actor not wanting to tie the knot.

Taylor Swift Grammys
“The Tortured Poets Department” drops on Friday.Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Taylor Swift
Swift previously hinted that their breakup had something to do with commitment issues in “You’re Losing Me.”Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

In the “Midnights” vault track “You’re Losing Me,” Swift describes the heartbreaking end of a long-term relationship and questions whether they should keep trying or throw in the towel.

“How can you say that you love someone you can’t tell is dyin’?” she asks. “How long could we be a sad song ’til we were too far gone to bring back to life?”

The powerful bridge concludes with the admission: “I wouldn’t marry me either. A pathological people pleaser. Who only wanted you to see her.”

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift
Although Swift’s new album pulls from past heartbreak, she seems to be doing better than ever amid her romance with Travis Kelce.hutchdrums/Instagram
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift
The couple has been together for about nine months.@chrisgrotewold/LIFESTYLOGY /TMX /

While it’s unknown if Alwyn has moved on from his romance with the hitmaker, Swift seems happier than ever while dating Travis Kelce.

The couple first sparked romance rumors in July 2023 and have been jet-setting around the world together ever since — most recently traveling to the desert in Indio, Calif., for Coachella.

The lovebirds looked every bit in love as they took in performances from The Bleachers, Ice Spice and more.