Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” features a lyric in which she name-drops Charlie Puth. Fans quickly connected this lyric to her ex, Matty Healy, despite expectations that the songs would focus on her split from Joe Alwyn. The connection to Healy is based on the line, “I scratch your head, you fall asleep / Like a tattooed golden retriever,” which fans believe references Healy. Additionally, the mention of Puth ties into Healy’s band, The 1975, as Healy had previously shown support for Puth’s music.
Healy and Swift were first rumored to be romantically involved in 2014 when they were seen wearing each other’s merchandise. However, Healy expressed feeling emasculated by the celebrity status of his potential relationship with Swift, leading to backlash and his subsequent clarification that he was not a misogynist. Following Swift’s breakup with Alwyn in 2023, the two reportedly reconnected and were seeking to give their relationship a second chance. They were seen together on multiple occasions and Healy even appeared on stage during one of Swift’s concerts.
Despite their attempts to rekindle their romance, Swift and Healy ultimately ended their fling in June 2023. Sources close to the couple revealed that while they had fun together, their relationship was never serious. However, it appears that the short-lived romance may have had a deeper impact on Swift, as many of the songs on “The Tortured Poets Department” seem to be inspired by Healy and his controversies. Lyrics such as “I can fix him, no, really, I can” suggest that Swift saw herself as the one who could save Healy from his issues.
Swift’s album features several references to Healy and their relationship, hinting at a tumultuous romance that may have left a lasting impact on the singer. Despite their differences and the public scrutiny surrounding their relationship, it is clear that Swift and Healy shared a connection that influenced the music on “The Tortured Poets Department.” Through her lyrics, Swift explores themes of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of relationships, drawing on her personal experiences to create a compelling narrative for her listeners. The album serves as a reflection of Swift’s growth as an artist and a testament to her ability to turn her personal struggles into powerful, relatable songs.
