Cultural Public Service Notice

Taylor Swift is known for her song-writing skills that pull at the heartstrings of anyone who has experienced love and heartbreak.  The 31-year-old singer is particularly known for drawing on her past relationships to inspire her song-writing.  For anyone who is over 40, I thought it might be helpful to share a list of men who have reported to have dated Taylor over the years.

Joe Jonas (July to October, 2008) - Swift and Jonas met as teens but things soon turned sour as he according to Swift, he broke up with her in a 25-second phone call.  Her song "Mr. Perfectly Fine" is one supposedly about Jonas.

Lucas Till (March to April, 2009) - Till and Swift met when Till starred in Hannah Montana: The Movie on Disney Channel.  Soon after, he played the love interest in one of Swift’s most popular music videos, ‘You Belong with Me’ and their relationship then allegedly moved off-screen.

Taylor Lautner (August to December, 2009) - The duo are thought to have met on the set on the set of the film Valentines Day, where they played an on-screen couple. Then, their real-life relationship continued and developed off-screen. The Twilight actor is the supposed subject of the apologetic song ‘Back to December’, where she sings “I miss your tanned skin, your sweet smile,” and “I’d go back in time and change it, but I can’t.”  The song is thought to be an apology to Lautner for ending their relationship – funnily dubbed "Taylor squared." 

John Mayer (December 2009 to February 2010) - Swift’s relationship with Mayer began when they collaborated on a song called "Half of My Heart."  Things quickly turned sour between the pair, who had a 13-year age gap, causing Swift to write an emotional break-up song called ‘Dear John’ with the lyrics: "Don’t you think nineteen is too young to be played by your dark twisted games, when I loved you so?"

Jake Gyllenhaal (October 2010 to January 2011) -  The pair dated after meeting at an episode of Saturday Night Live when she was aged around 21, and he was 30. The relationship hit headlines again as Swift re-released her album Red, which features a ten-minute version of the song ‘All Too Well’ which is widely-believed to be about Swift’s relationship with Gyllenhaal.  She sings: “You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine, and that made me want to die” and “I’ll get older, but your lovers stay my age”.

Adam Young (2011) - Her brief relationship with the Owl City singer is thought to have left a lasting impression on Swift.  Their relationship inspired Swift to write one of her fan-favorite song titled "Enchanted."  The following Valentine’s Day, Young released a cover of the song, with the lyrics: “Taylor, I was so enchanted to meet you too” and “Taylor, I was so in love with you.” Awkwardly, she never publicly responded.

Connor Kennedy (July to October, 2012) - In 2012, Swift had a short relationship with the nephew of late American president, John F. Kennedy. The pair were spotted together on beach dates and at his family’s luxurious estate throughout that summer.  The singer also reportedly bought a multi-million dollar house in Massachusetts to be closer to Kennedy.  Kennedy is thought to be the inspiration behind Swift’s song, ‘Begin Again’.

Harry Styles (December 2012 to January 2013) - Perhaps one of Swift’s most famous romances, the singer dated Styles for a picture-filled few months between 2012 and 2013. The musical pair shared wintry strolls in New York’s Central Park, kissed in Times Square on New Years Eve and supposedly wore matching airplane necklaces throughout their short relationship.  Her songs titled ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and ‘Style’ are both thought to be about the One Direction star.

 Calvin Harris (March 2015 to June 2016) - Her relationship with the Scottish DJ was the longest Swift had experienced in the public eye yet – even reaching their one-year anniversary.  Things took a turn for the worst as Swift was spotted with actor Tom Hiddleston very soon after their breakup and came out as the co-writer for Harris’ hit song ‘This is What You Came For’ with Rihanna.  Harris took to Twitter in a rant against Swift, which he said he later regretted.

Tom Hiddleston (June to September, 2016) - Swift and Hiddleston are thought to have first met at the 2016 Met Gala, around the time of her breakup with Harris.  Within days, the pair – dubbed Hiddleswift – were spotted on a Rhode Island beach kissing and cuddling, and were soon jetting to Australia and Italy together.  Swift even traveled to England to meet the actor’s family.  At Swift’s annual 4^th July party, Hiddleston was also spotted wearing an ‘I , but just months later, the couple called it quits.  Hiddleston is said to be the inspiration behind Swift’s song ‘Getaway Car’.

Joe Alwyn (2017 to now) - Swift is currently dating English actor Joe Alwyn.  The couple have been together since 2017, and have a very private relationship.  Her songs, ‘Gorgeous’ and ‘Lover’, among others on her recent albums are all thought to be inspired by the actor.  Alwyn even co-wrote a song with Swift for her album Evermore, called ‘Champagne Problems’. 

Now that we're all caught up with Swift's love life, I guess the world can get back to less important things. . .