Top 10 Hidden Details in Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl
#10: “Kept It 100”
“The Fate of Ophelia” (2025)
Move aside, heartbreak. It is clear to anyone that Swift’s twelfth album declares itself a love letter. Track by track, she weaves her real-life muse, fiancé Travis Kelce, throughout the lyrics, starting with the album opener. The first verse nods to their 2023 meet-cute, when Kelce famously called her out on his podcast, “New Heights.” But in a playful twist, the chorus reveals that Kelce joined the Easter egg game, too. The lyric “keep it 100” doesn’t only tie to the sum of Swift’s favorite number and Kelce’s jersey number. It also calls back to an Instagram post from July. We’re well-versed in Swift’s hidden clues, but this one? Touchdown, Travis.
#9: Violet Eyes
“Elizabeth Taylor” (2025)
It’s no secret that Elizabeth Taylor has been a longtime inspiration for Swift. She first paid homage to the Hollywood legend in her 2015 “Wildest Dreams” video. Then again in 2017’s “...Ready for It?” there’s a nod to Taylor’s whirlwind romance with Richard Burton. Her latest dedication takes it a step further. The song sparkles with tributes to the starlet’s legacy. A hook that references Taylor’s famous violet eyes. A nod to Cartier, the brand behind the watch Swift wore at her own engagement. Even a wink to White Diamonds, a perfume by Taylor herself. Fans have even linked the track back to “Paper Rings,” where Swift once traded gems for genuine love. But every showgirl knows you can have both!
#8: Gucci
“CANCELLED!” (2025)
Swift has weathered her fair share of cancellations over her nearly twenty-year career. A doctored phone call from Kanye West sparked such intense backlash in 2016 that she was driven out of the spotlight - only to return stronger than ever with her album Reputation the following year. So it’s no surprise that she stands fiercely by friends facing similar scrutiny. In “CANCELLED!,” Swift slips in a sly mention of Gucci, the same brand her friend Brittany Mahomes wore to the US Open. Though both have faced criticism for their friendship, Swift seems to make her stance clear on where her loyalties lie.
#7: New Heights
“Wood” (2025)
Tucked in the latter half of the tracklist lies a four-leaf clover. A rare mix of upbeat, dance-worthy pop and shall we say… innuendo? Swift croons about finding her one true love, comparing past heartbreaks to black cats. But listeners were quick to pick up on the double entendres slipped between the lines. Among the playful nods to fiancé Travis Kelce is a shoutout to his podcast, “New Heights.” Not only did Swift unveil her album cover on an episode back in August, but credits the show for bringing them together. Like the song, the podcast itself turned out to be a lucky charm itself.
#6: Scott Borchetta (& Later Change in Perspective to Be Taylor)
“Father Figure” (2025)
2025 was a monumental year for Swift. After fighting for over half a decade, she finally reclaimed her masters that were sold by Scott Borchetta back in 2019. And while we might not be getting Reputation (Taylor’s Version) anytime soon, this song serves a sweet taste of vindication. From the moment the track was announced, rumors swirled about a possible sample of George Michael’s 1987 hit of the same name. While Michael received writing credits for the hook, Swift transforms the rest into something entirely her own. The song unfolds as a power struggle between protege and mentor, a theme that feels all too familiar. But by the final chorus, the message is driven home: Swift will always protect the family.
#5: Redefined All of Those Blues
“Honey” (2025)
For years, Swift has written of a love that turns heartache into harmony. And with this album, it feels as though she’s finally found it. Her joy radiates through subtle yet unmistakable callbacks to her previous lyrics. Long known for using color to paint emotion, she has often lingered in shades of blue. Even in her previous record, The Tortured Poets Department, the color was brushed across a melancholic canvas. But here, the blue finally softens. Even her view on pet names has changed. Once dismissed as petty or passive aggressive, she sees them now as warm and affectionate - proof that the same words can mean something entirely new when spoken by the right person.
#4: Jeff Lang
"Ruin the Friendship" (2025)
Many expected this album to revel in the glitter of the Eras Tour or celebrate Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce. But track six takes an unexpected detour as a tender reflection on a missed opportunity. Longtime fans were delighted to hear a shoutout to Abigail Anderson, Swift’s best friend who first appeared in 2008’s “Fifteen.” But the song’s subject leaves the deepest mark. Regretfully recalling a crush she never pursued, we learn that the person has since passed away. Listeners speculate the track pays tribute to her late school friend, Jeff Lang, thought to have inspired “Forever Winter.” Whoever it honors, the message remains: to take the leap and to never leave the question unanswered.
#3: Opal
“Opalite” (2025)
Attention hopeless romantics, this one’s for you! This track feels like stepping into the sun after a storm. What a simple thought. It also happens to be one of Travis Kelce’s favorites and it’s not hard to see why. With its buoyant rhythm and carefree lyrics, it’s the kind of song that will have you dancing down the street, singing along in the car, and bopping your head at your desk. But there may be another reason why Kelce loves it. The song is inspired by him. Opalite, a man-made gem that mimics opal, nods to the October-born athlete’s birthstone. The handcrafted stone is a beautiful ode to their handcrafted love.
#2: Charli XCX
“Actually Romantic” (2025)
A showgirl’s life is never short on sparkle—or scandal. True to form, Swift has stirred up a flurry of speculation over her album’s most biting track. Fans zeroed in on Charli XCX as the target. The Brat singer appeared to throw the first jab with “Sympathy is a Knife,” a song rumored to take aim at Swift. Charli’s now-husband performs in The 1975 alongside Swift’s ex, Matty Healy and she alludes to avoiding Healey’s girlfriend backstage. In her rebuttal, Swift references a former flame who ghosted her. Then ties it back to an enemy who reveled in the fallout. Some theorize the track is about Kim Kardashian, who once mailed out Valentines to “haters.” Whoever it’s about, it’s clear that Swift’s pen is still sharp.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
The Tracklist
When Stacked Vertically, the Tracklist Forms the Silhouette of the Eras Tour Stage
“In Her Phone”
A Resurfaced Clip Seemingly Shows Kelce Telling His Ex to Put Away Her Phone
Taylor’s Hideaways
Swift Name Drops Portofino & the Plaza Athénée, Favorites of Elizabeth Taylor
#1: Ophelia
“The Fate of Ophelia” (2025)
Swift is no stranger to Shakespearean tragedies. In fact, it was a revisionist tune about Romeo and Juliet that earned her one of her first major hits. Almost twenty years later, Swift is drawing inspiration from another heroine, Ophelia. Prince Hamlet’s lover is doomed by the narrative, falling victim to madness that results in her death. But Swift is saved in the nick of time by her own prince. Or rather, a football player. Following her forlorn album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift is ready to cast away her blues and accept the love she has sought her whole life. The accompanying music video draws parallels to the tragedy through the famous John Everett Millais painting, showing how Swift has finally escaped her doomed fate.
Now that you’ve made it to the grand finale, make sure to tell us which hidden details you’d want to include in the encore!
