Is Taylor Swift’s ‘The Alchemy’ About Travis Kelce? See the Lyrical Football References

On Taylor Swift’s new album The Tortured Poets Department, the pop superstar, 34, sings about an undeniable love on the penultimate track “The Alchemy” — and some of the lyrics on the ballad are raising eyebrows.

Throughout the song, Swift — who’s currently in a relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — includes football and sports references.

“So when I touch down/ Call the amateurs and cut ’em from the team/ Ditch the clowns, get the crown/ Baby I’m the one to beat,” she sings.

However, it’s unclear who Swift is singing about, as she goes on to reference a lover from her past. “‘Cause the sign on your heart said it’s still reserved for me/ Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy.”

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Is Taylor Swift’s ‘The Alchemy’ About Travis Kelce? See the Lyrical Football References
“These blokes warm the benches/ We’ve been on a winning streak,” Swift sings on the song

By Melody Chiu Published on April 19, 2024 12:20AM EDT
Travis Kelce attends the 2022 ESPYs; Taylor Swift attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. PHOTO: ALBERTO E. RODRIGUEZ/GETTY IMAGES; KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES
Art imitating life, or life imitating art?

On Taylor Swift’s new album The Tortured Poets Department, the pop superstar, 34, sings about an undeniable love on the penultimate track “The Alchemy” — and some of the lyrics on the ballad are raising eyebrows.

Throughout the song, Swift — who’s currently in a relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — includes football and sports references.

“So when I touch down/ Call the amateurs and cut ’em from the team/ Ditch the clowns, get the crown/ Baby I’m the one to beat,” she sings.

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Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. JC OLIVERA/GETTY; TAYLOR HILL/GETTY
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However, it’s unclear who Swift is singing about, as she goes on to reference a lover from her past. “‘Cause the sign on your heart said it’s still reserved for me/ Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy.”

Later in the song, the Grammy winner makes another sports reference. “These blokes warm the benches/ We’ve been on a winning streak,” Swift sings, noticeably including a commonly used word in the U.K.

Some fans speculated the following line could be referencing her ex Matty Healy, who has been open previously about his struggles with heroin use. “He jokes that it’s heroin but this time with an ‘e,'” she sings.