Written by Mia Aponte, Graphic by Ana Vergara.
The term “tortured poets” is often used metaphorically to describe writers or artists who are perceived to have suffered greatly in their personal lives, and whose work reflects that suffering. It’s a concept that highlights the connection between emotional turmoil and artistic creativity. With that being said, since the release of Taylor Swift’s highlight anticipated album, “The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD),” Swift has brought numerous pieces into evidence for her fans to uncover. From references, to past relationships, drama, and potential theories for new releases, we’re here to uncover some of the conspiracies surrounding this album.
Double Album Dilema
Before “TTPD” was released, many conspiracies circled about what the #2 meant. Since at the Grammys Swift referenced a peace sign in her acceptance speech, many fans thought it would be a double release of “TTPD” and “Reputation (Taylor’s Version).” But nonetheless, we were all wrong. At 2 am on Saturday, April 20, Swift released another album: “TTPD: The Anthology,” which is a continuation of Swift’s 11th album. The 12th album includes 15 additional songs, such as, “imgonnagetyouback”, “How Did It End?” and of course, “thanK you aIMee.”
thanK you aIMee
“thanK you aIMee” is rumored to be Swift’s jab at Kim Kardashian. With the clever spelling of KIM in capitalized letters, Swift does not hold back. This is not the first time that Swift has hidden messages in her lyrics using this technique. So this raises the question…is there more to the drama than what meets the eye? Yes, of course there is. But we’ll see if we ever get the full story.
Clara Bow
For a while now, there was speculation that there would be numerous similarities or references to Clara Bow since the tracklist release. Now looking back, there were even references to Bow during the “Midnights” era in terms of styling and hidden easter eggs. Such as in the “Bejeweled” music video, Bow has been known for being a flap dancer similar to Swift’s performance with Dita Von Teese. Not to mention the fact that Bow’s personal life, particularly her romantic affairs, faced intense scrutiny, akin to the relentless attention often directed at Taylor Swift. This spotlight took its toll, leading Bow to retreat socially and eventually experience a breakdown, prompting her to seek refuge in a sanitarium. Coincidence…I think not.
Reputation Theory
Now that we’ve unlocked the “TTPD” files, the question still remains…will “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” be next ? Due to the similar aesthetics of the album and the fan theories on the stages of grief based on her album releases, one cannot deny the speculation (and I hope we’re right). Not to mention, now after listening to “TTPD”, releasing “Reputation” would be very full circle in typical Swift fashion.
Now that the story is unlocked, we will continue to uncover the many easter eggs and conspiracies of this story. Swift’s masterful storytelling and lyrical prowess will continue to leave us wanting more, showing the power of her art. As we continue to dive into her world, more and more information will continue to unfold, but for now, we’ll keep listening and hope that time will tell.
As Contributing Editor, Mia Aponte collaborates closely with staff and contributors to craft engaging narratives across various subjects. She is eager to infuse fresh perspectives and dynamic storytelling into her work and to help the contributors with their artistic pursuits. At SCAD, Mia majors in Fashion Marketing and Management and minors in Social Strategy and Management. She regularly offers opinionated pieces on numerous topics as well as pop culture insights. When she’s not writing, Mia is most likely thrifting, listening to music, or reading.
