Taylor Swift is always switching things up on her Eras Tour. During her latest concert in Liverpool, she did the unexpected by performing a cover of her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s 2016 single “This Is What You Came For.” If you’re wondering why Swift chose the song, it’s because it’s partially hers.
Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris co-wrote the track when they were an item from 2015 to 2016. However, to prevent their relationship from overshadowing the song, the pair initially kept Swift’s involvement a secret by crediting her under the pseudonym Nils Sjรถberg. It was only after they broke up that fans learned about the song’s true origins.
Shortly after the Scottish DJ confirmed the two had split in June 2016, TMZ reported that the songwriting credits for “This Is What You Came For” had officially changed to Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris. The following summer, Swift confirmed she was behind Nils Sjรถberg by including the name in her “Look What You Made Me Do” music video.
She then opened up about her decision to use the pseudonym in November 2020. While talking to Sir Paul McCartney for Rolling Stone, Swift explained using an alias in music can be helpful in certain cases to avoid media attention.
I think when a pseudonym comes in is when you still have a love for making the work, and you donโt want the work to become overshadowed by this thing thatโs been built around you, based on what people know about you. And thatโs when itโs really fun to create fake names and write under them.
Taylor Swift
When the Beatles star asked if Swift ever used a pseudonym, she confirmed she penned “This Is What You Came For” under Nils Sjรถberg. She said she chose that alias because it combines two of the most popular male names in Sweden.
While Swift was initially hesitant to take credit for the EDM hit, it seems she’s now owning it loud and proud nearly a decade later.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour will continue until December.
