(KTLA) — Music industry giant Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” on Friday, and while the album’s sure to generate days of discourse, one particular track had the internet aflutter even before the official release.
Many social media users speculated that the seventh track, “Actually Romantic,” based on its lyrics and title, was a diss aimed at British pop star Charli XCX.
Last year, the singer, whose legal name is Charlotte Aitchison, released “Sympathy is a Knife” on her Grammy-nominated (and NewsNation affiliate KTLA’s best album of 2024) album “Brat,” which was widely considered a reference to Swift.
In “Sympathy,” Aitchison discussed her insecurities being triggered by someone she views as being everything she isn’t. “‘Cause I couldn’t even be her if I tried, I’m opposite, I’m on the other side,” she sings in the chorus. Aitchison wrote that she “hoped they break up quick,” as she couldn’t bear the thought of having to reconcile her own “paranoid” feelings.
While the song never specifically names Swift, or even closely hints at the woman’s identity, the lyrics, “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show,” is thought to refer to Swift. Prior to her current relationship (and engagement) to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Swift dated Matty Healy, the lead singer of indie pop band The 1975. Aitchison’s then-boyfriend, and now husband, George Daniel is the band’s drummer and primary producer — making it very likely the two would have crossed paths.
Swift’s song, titled “Actually Romantic,” meanwhile, could appear to reference “Sympathy,” with Swift singing, “High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me. Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face…”
Swift also opens the track with a reference to someone who “call[s] me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave.”
While Aitchison has never commented on any alleged cocaine use, her album “brat,” a club-dance album, appeared to make several references to the party drug. On songs like album closer “365,” Aitchison refers to doing “a little key” and a “little line” — believed to refer to cocaine. A rare vinyl pressing of “brat”‘s remix album also featured a clear vinyl disc containing white powder inside.
Swift’s song title also bears a resemblance to a “brat” track: the critically acclaimed “Everything is romantic.” In “Actually,” however, Swift sings that it’s “actually romantic” how much this person thinks about them.
Many online argued the track couldn’t be a diss (or else, is a misdirected diss), since Aitchison’s song wasn’t necessarily negative or critical, but was instead self-focused. It’s unclear whether either artist will address the song but that won’t stop the internet from speculating.
“The Life of a Showgirl,” out Oct. 3, reunites Swift with previous collaborators, megaproducers Max Martin and Shellback. The album’s title track also features an appearance by “Man’s Best Friend” singer Sabrina Carpenter.