Taylor Swift’s Most Iconic Songs and the Real-Life Relationships That Inspired Them

Taylor Swift is known for wearing her heart on her sleeve—and in the lines of her songs, too.The songstress has frequently turned her songwriting abilities towards others who have touched her life in one way or another—whether through love, a feud or a breakup. If you’ve ever wondered just who Taylor Swift’s songs are about, wonder no more. We’ve gathered all of the songs that Swift has written about her past lovers, current beau Travis Kelce and even her feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. You can check out the full guide below.

Joe Jonas

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Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas in 2008Jeff Kravitz 

Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas dated from July 2008 until October 2008, after Jonas broke up with her over the phone. Later that same year, Swift released her second studio album, Fearless—which she later re-released in 2021. Below are the songs rumored to be about him and their relationship.

  • “Forever & Always (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “You All Over Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
  • “Mr. Perfectly Fine  (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

None of these songs are on The Eras Tour setlist, but they have all been performed acoustically in the “Surprise Song” section.

Taylor Lautner

Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner's Relationship: A Look Back
Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner in 2009Jean Baptiste Lacroix 

After meeting in 2009, Swift and Twilight Saga star Taylor Lautner briefly dated, but have remained friends ever since. He even appeared in the singer’s 2023 music video for “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” and actually joined Swift on stage for a live viewing. Because of this, the number of songs about Lautner is slim—limited to one, in fact— but that doesn’t mean it isn’t incredible.

  • “Back to December (Taylor’s Version)”

Lautner’s song wasn’t on The Eras Tour setlist, but it was performed in the second show in Denver, Colorado, during the “Surprise Song” section.

John Mayer

Taylor Swift and John Mayer in 2009
Taylor Swift and John Mayer in 2009Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff/Getty

After meeting when Swift was 19, singer John Mayer—who was 32 at the time—immediately set his sights on her despite the 13-year age gap. The two then dated briefly in 2009 and Swift has not been shy about releasing the following songs rumored to be about him.

  • “Dear John (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “The Story of Us (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Superman (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Ours (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Foolish One (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
  • “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”
  • “The Manuscript”

Mayer believes, though, that despite dating her at the age of 19, he doesn’t warrant all the flak he gets through her songs. “I’m pretty good at taking accountability now, and I never did anything to deserve that. It was a really lousy thing for her to do.”

None of these songs are on The Eras Tour setlist, but have been performed in the “Surprise Song” section.

Jake GyllenhaalJake Gyllenhaal & Taylor Swift: More Thanksgiving Pics! : Photo 2502031 | Jake Gyllenhaal, Taylor Swift Photos | Just Jared: Entertainment News

Taylor Swift and Jake GyllenhaalKeiley Kaiser/X

All we have to say before diving into Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal’s relationship—which started and ended in 2010—is give her back the scarf, Jake! And maybe listen to the following songs, which are reportedly all about you!

  • “Red (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
  • “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
  • “The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “We Are Never Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “I Almost Do (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Maroon”

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” and “We Are Never Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)” are on The Eras Tour Setlist, and the others have been played during the “Surprise Song” section.

Connor KennedyConnor Kennedy And Taylor Swift: A Look Into Their Relationship

Taylor Swift and Connor KennedyReddit

That’s right, Swift dated Kennedy briefly in 2012, and while the two kept it very low-key, that didn’t stop Swift from reportedly writing the following songs about him.

  • “Starlight (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Begin Again (Taylor’s Version)”

Both of these songs did not make The Eras Tour setlist, but were “Surprise Songs.”

Harry Styles

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles in 2012
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles in 2012David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor/Getty

Harry Styles And Swift dated in 2012, and while their public appearances might have been limited, Swift did reportedly release numerous songs about him.

  • “I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Come Back…Be Here (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “22 (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Out of The Words (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
  • “Style (Taylor’s Version)”

“Style (Taylor’s Version),” “I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version)” and “22 (Taylor’s Version)” are on The Eras Tour setlist, and the others have been performed as “Surprise Songs.”

Joe Alwyn

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn in 2019
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn in 2019Jackson Lee / Contributor/Getty

Swift and Joe Alwyn dated from 2016 until 2023, so it’s no surprise that the singer reportedly released multiple songs about their relationship, including some breakup songs. See them all below!

  • “. . . Ready For It?”
  • “End Game”
  • “Delicate”
  • “Gorgeous”
  • “Don’t Blame Me”
  • “King of My Heart”
  • “Dress”
  • “Call It What You Want”
  • “New Year’s Day”
  • “Lover”
  • “Cruel Summer”
  • “I Think He Knows”
  • “Paper Rings”
  • “Cornelia Street”
  • “London Boy”
  • “Daylight”
  • “All of the Girls You Loved Before”
  • “peace”
  • “invisible string”
  • “the lakes”
  • “Lavender Haze”
  • “Snow on the Beach”
  • “Labyrinth”
  • “Sweet Nothing”
  • “Mastermind”
  • “You’re Loosing Me”
  • “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys”
  • “So Long, London”
  • “Fresh Out the Slammer”
  • “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart”
  • “The Prophecy”
  • “loml”
  • “How Did It End?”

“. . . Ready For It?,” “Don’t Blame Me,” Lover,” “Cruel Summer,” “Lavender Haze,” “Sweet Nothing,” and “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” are on The Eras Tour setlist, and all of the others have been performed during the “Surprise Song” section at least once.

Matty Healy

Taylor Swift and Matty Healy in 2023
Taylor Swift and Matty Healy in 2023Robert Kamau / Contributor/Getty

After meeting in 2014, Matty Healy and Swift remained friends for 10 years before reportedly briefly dating in 2023. And all we have to say is these songs that are reportedly about him, make us happy Swift left him.

  • “The Tortured Poets Department”
  • “But Daddy I Love Him”
  • “Guilty As Sin?”
  • “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)”
  • “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”
  • “The Black Dog”
  • “Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus”

Healy said, though, that he hasn’t “really listened to that much of it, but I’m sure it’s good.”

“But Daddy I Love Him” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” are on The Eras Tour setlist, while Swift has performed all of the other ones as a “Surprise Song.”

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

88 Kim Kardashian And Taylor Swift Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images
Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian in 2015Kevin Mazur/MTV1415 / Contributor/Getty

Swift’s feud with Kayne West and Kim Kardashian began in 2009 after West interrupted her speech at the VMA’s and has not slowed down since. Here are all the songs she has reportedly written about them.

  • “Innocent (Taylor’s Version)”
  • “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”
  • “Look What You Made Me Do”
  • “I Did Something Bad”
  • “thanK you aIMee”
  • “long story short”

Swift added “Look What You Made Me Do” to The Eras Tour setlist; the rest were performed during the “Surprise Song” section.

Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in 2024
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in 2024XNY/Star Max / Contributor/Getty

Travis Kelce and Swift might have only started dating a little over a year ago, but that didn’t stop the singer from writing some swoon-worthy songs about him. They are:

  • “So High School”
  • “The Alchemy”

“So High School” is on The Eras Tour setlist and “The Alchemy” has been played as a “Surprise Song.”

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