Taylor Swift has returned with new music. On Friday, April 19, the singer released her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. Since Swift touches on grief and heartbreak throughout the record, fans speculated she drew inspiration from her recent breakups with Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy. However, one track appears to have been written with Travis Kelce in mind. Titled “The Alchemy,” the song includes several football references throughout its lyrics that hint toward Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship.
Fans Think “The Alchemy” Is About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
In “The Alchemy,” Swift sings about a love so special that it only happens “once every few lifetimes.” Of course, some could argue the track could have been inspired by any of her past boyfriends. However, there are clues throughout the song that hint it’s actually about the Kansas City Chiefs player. For example, during the chorus, Swift uses football terms like “touch down” and “team,” which appear to reference her boyfriend’s career.
So when I touch down, call the amateurs and cut ’em from the team. Ditch the clowns, get the crown. Baby, I’m the one to be.
Taylor Swift
Later in the song, Swift sings about her and her partner being on a “winning streak.” This could allude to her witnessing Kelce win 10 of the 13 football games she’s attended over the past year. Most notably, the Kansas City Chiefs took down the San Francisco 49ers during the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Kelce celebrated the victory by kissing his girlfriend on the football field after the big game.
Swift appears to recall this very moment during the bridge of “The Alchemy.”
Shirts off and your friends lift you up over their heads. Beer stickin’ to the floor, cheers chanted ’cause they said, ‘There was no chance trying to be the greatest in the league.’ Where’s the trophy? He just comes runnin’ over to me.
Taylor Swift
While Swift’s other tracks on The Tortured Poets Department were likely inspired by Alwyn or Healy, “The Alchemy” has Kelce written all over it.