Is the title track of Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ worth the hype? | Review

The Tortured Poets Department

Renowned singer and songwriter Taylor Swift is an integral part of the music fraternity. The 14-time Grammy Award winner released her latest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, on April 19. This came shortly after she won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for ‘Midnights’ on February 4, 2024.

TTPD originally comprised 16 songs. However, Taylor surprised fans by expanding it to 31 songs spread across the themes of heartbreak and betrayal.

The title track, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ gained worldwide attention right after its release. Taylor captured the pain of heartbreak through fine lines of poetry. Let’s dive deep into the theme song to analyze whether it’s worth the hype.

‘The Tortured Poets Department’ Has a Distinct Vintage Vibe. Taylor Swift has written ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ with the idea of capturing the magic of the decades gone by. The lyrics describe an item of affection, ‘typewriter’ which was popular during the 90s

In trademark Taylor Swift style, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ features detailed storytelling and a soft musical arrangement. The track captures the unspoken feelings associated with a relationship. Taylor is known to create upbeat songs but with this, she has proved she can compose sad ones as well.

Is This Song About Matty Healy?

Fans have been speculating whether the song is written for Taylor’s ex-boyfriend Matty Healy. The Grammy Award winner has left a few references that point toward her short-lived romance with Matty in early 2023.

Here are some point-blank references in the theme song that suggest that it was written for Matty Healy:

• Reference to Typewriters: One of the most obvious signs that the theme song of TTPD is written for Matty is the reference to typewriters. Healy stated his ‘love for the typewriters’ in a 2019 interview with GQ. The lyrics open as: ‘You left your typewriter at my apartment, straight from The Tortured Poets Department.’
• ‘Tattooed Golden Retriever’: Taylor might have swiftly hinted towards Matty with the ‘tattooed golden retriever’ reference. Matty Healy has multiple tattoos on his body which has left Swifties suspecting that it is written for Matty.
• Charlie Puth Reference: Taylor playfully brings up her admiration for Charlie Puth with the lines, ‘You smokеd, then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.’ For those who don’t know, in 2018, Healy expressed his admiration for Puth on Twitter, stating, “Charlie Puth and Boyz II Men track is harrrrrd,” which appears to refer to the song “If You Leave Me Now.”

However, Taylor is yet to react to this speculation.

Personal Touch

Taylor Swift creates music in a thought-provoking way with a unique personal touch. She has used a lot of names throughout the song and this makes it feel authentic and emotionally rich. Taylor has also given a shout-out to Dylan Thomas and Patty Smith with her self-deprecating humour with the lines, ‘You’re not Dylan Thomas, I’m not Patti Smith, This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel, we’re modern idiots.’

In case you didn’t know, Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet known for his charisma and struggles with alcoholism. Patti Smith is a punk-rock icon celebrated for her profound and impactful lyrics. The Chelsea Hotel served as a hub for ground-breaking artists and hosted guests ranging from Mark Twain to Madonna.

Final Thoughts

Taylor’s latest hit is as exceptional as her previous work. From ‘Taylor Swift’ to ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, Swift has only created magic out of grief and failed romances. The gloomy-romantic TTPD is another golden feather in the songwriter’s hat.

Taylor Swift released ‘The Tortured Poet Department’ as a double album on April 19 with a total of 31 songs.