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It's a new soundtrack to the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.

Remember when Taylor told Rolling Stone that a new track called “Bad Blood” is about a "straight-up enemy?" Majority opinion quickly singled out Katy Perry as the lucky recipient of Swift's "angriest" new tune. The frenemies used to maintain polite communication over Twitter and would even hug at award shows, but everything has changed since three dancers allegedly bailed from the Red tour last year to join Katy's world tour. Swift also told Rolling Stone that “there might have been a personal element to the conflict," which would make sense considering both have dated John Mayer. After the article hit the internet Katy tweeted: “Watch out for the Regina George in sheep’s clothing.” Katy also had dinner with Harry Styles in September raising the stakes to an all out cat (lovers) fight.

Additionally, Taylor appears to have high hopes for her first entirely pop album. Katy's 2010 album Teenage Dream was the second album in history to have five number one singles from one album, the first by a female artist, and I for one think Tay is playing for keeps. After her first single "Shake It Off" debuted at No. 1 she was very clear that "Out of The Woods" was NOT her second single. She notably did not take the same precautions with "Welcome to New York," an anthem that calls to mind Perry's lead single "California Gurls."

Regardless of the fact that I will forever hate the word forevermore Taylor's latest single "Welcome to New York" has become an instant hit.  However, Swift's strength has always rested in her lyrical ability to relate to where we are through her portrayal of detail and emotion, if not exact experiences. If we are to believe that this track portrays her life in NYC then we can conclude that all she has been up to is a string of vague generalities and definitely has not taken the subway. On the bright side, while 1989 (out Oct. 27) may not be "boycentric" it appears that the subjects behind the songs will be as pointed as ever.

R.I.P. 2Pac and Biggie.  

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Taylor's New Tune

Since her relatively rapid rise to fame began Taylor Swift has penned plenty of love songs about boyfriends, friends and even some strangers. She has also, however, been the inspiration behind more than one song herself.

After her very public breakup with Joe Jonas in 2008 and the release of her song about the failed relationship (Forever and Always), Joe quickly responded with Jonas brothers song Much Better.

Taylor also released the song Hey Stephen in 2008, written about Stephen Barker Liles of Love and Theft. He had also written a song about Swift called Try and Make it Anyway that was not included on the duo's second album but the band has performed it live.

YouTube star Tyler Ward recorded a song about his love for Tay titled Tyler Swift declaring his love for our favorite country crooner.

Adam Young of Owl City re-recorded Swift's own song Enchanted, with some lyrical modifications, and released on Valentine's day 2011.

Parachute singer Will Anderson released the song White Dress on the band's 2011 album (also including a song called Forever and Always, coincidence?) saying it was written for a "good friend" who was also a "famous singer" after it had been speculated that the two were dating.

There has also been rumors that John Mayer may have responded to Dear John on his latest album in a song called Shadow Days (it also includes a song called Speak For Me, a bit reminiscent of Tay's title for Speak Now.)

Most recently Swift has inspired The Ready Set to write the song For The Better inspired by Tay's tumultuous love life. Including a plethora of references to Taylor's most recent exploits referencing everything from little interruptions (Kanye) to recent heartbreak (Harry.)
Listen to it here

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Bad Blood (1989)

Hidden Message: She made friends and enemies

Taylor told Rolling Stone that this song is about a "straight-up enemy?" Majority opinion quickly singled out Katy Perry as the lucky recipient. The frenemies used to maintain polite communication over Twitter and would even hug at award shows (mad love?), but everything has changed since three dancers allegedly bailed from the Red tour last year to join Katy's world tour. Swift also told Rolling Stone that “there might have been a personal element to the conflict," which would make sense considering both have dated John Mayer. After the article hit the internet Katy tweeted: “Watch out for the Regina George in sheep’s clothing.” Katy also had dinner with Harry Styles in September raising the stakes to an all out cat (lovers) fight. Tay also mentions ghosts, Katy released a song called "Ghost" on her latest album, and bullet holes, Katy wrote a song called "Bullet," you get the idea. 

John Mayer's "Paper Doll" Lyrics

Paper doll, come try it on
Step out of that black chiffon
Here’s a dress of gold and blue
Sure was fun being good to you

This one we made just for Fall
And Winter runs a bit too small
This mint green is new for Spring
My love didn’t cost a thing

You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll

Fold a scarf, Moroccan red
And tie your hair behind your head
Strap into some heels that hurt
You should’ve kept my undershirt

You’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?
For a little paper doll

Cut the cord and pull some strings
And make yourself some angel wings
And if those angel wings don’t fly
Someone’s gonna paint you another sky

‘Cause you’re like twenty-two girls in one
And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from
Was it just too far to fall?

Sources: 1

John Mayer's "Shadow Days" Lyrics

Did you know that you could be wrong
And swear you're right
Some people been known to do it
All their lives
But you find yourself alone
Just like you found yourself before
Like I found myself in pieces
On the hotel floor
Hard times have helped me see

I'm a good man, with a good heart
Had a tough time, got a rough start
But I finally learned to let it go
Now I'm right here, and I'm right now
And I'm open, knowing somehow
That my shadow days are over
My shadow days are over now

Well I ain't no troublemaker
And I never meant her harm
But it doesn't mean I didn't make it hard to carry on


Well it sucks to be honest
And it hurts to be real
But it's nice to make some love
That I can finally feel
Hard times let me be

I'm a good man, with a good heart
Had a tough time, got a rough start
But I finally learned to let it go
Now I'm right here, and I'm right now
And I'm open, knowing somehow
That my shadow days are over
My shadow days are over now


I'm a good man, with a good heart
Had a tough time, got a rough start
But I finally learned to let it go
Now I'm right here, and I'm right now
And I'm open, knowing somehow
That my shadow days are over
My shadow days are over now

John Mayer's "Half Of My Heart" Lyrics

I was born in the arms of imaginary friendsFree to roam, made a home out of everywhere I've been
Then you come on crashing inLike the realest thingTrying my best to understandAll that your love can bring
Oh, half of my heart's got a grip on the situationHalf of my heart takes timeHalf of my heart's got a right mindTo tell you that I can't keep lovin' you, can't keep lovin' youOh, with half of my heart
I was made to believe I'd never love somebody elseMade a plan, stay the man who can only love himself
Lonely was the song I sang'Til the day you cameShowing me another wayAnd all that my love can bring
Oh, half of my heart's got a grip on the situationHalf of my heart takes timeHalf of my heart's got a right mindTo tell you that I can't keep lovin' you, can't keep lovin' youOh, with half of my heart, with half of my heart
Your faith is strong, but I can only fall short for so longDown the road, later onYou will hate that I never gave more to youThan half of my heart
But I can't stop lovin' you, I can't stop lovin' youI can't stop lovin' you, I can't stop lovin' you,I can't stop lovin' you with half of myHalf of my heart, oh half of my heart
Half of my heart's got a real good imaginationHalf of my heart's got youHalf of my heart's got a right mind to tell youThat half of my heart won't do
Half of my heart is a shot gun weddingTo a bride with a paper ringAnd half of my heart is the part of a manWho's never truly loved anything
Half of my heart, oh half of my heartHalf of my heart, oh half of my heartHalf of my heart, oh half of my heart

I Knew You Were Trouble (Red)

Hidden Message: When You Saw Me Dancing

One of Taylor's favorites off her latest album Red, the track I Knew You Were Trouble features Swift's first ever dubstep inspired breakdown. There has been a lot of speculation over which of Swift's ex's is the subject of the latest breakup anthem but the majority seem to have settled on John Mayer. The lyrics  do seem to allude to those of Swift's other song about Mayer, Dear John. (And I'll look back and regret how I ignored when they said run as fast as you can.) Swift explained the song is about "kind of being frustrated with yourself because you have your heart broken and you knew when you first saw that person you saw all these red flags and you just went for it anyway." Sounds a lot like her controversial relationship with Mayer. The lyrics,  A new notch in your belt is all I'll ever be/ And now I see, now I see, now I see/ He was long gone when he met me/ And I realize the joke is on me, also seem to allude to the musician who has a notorious playboy rep. 

* We also consider Joe Jonas a potential subject due to the opening line, Once upon a time, a phrase which Swift also used in Forever and Always. She also states that the perpetrator was "a few mistakes ago" which could open up the time frame to include a relationship even as far back as Joe.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

John Mayer

Mid 2009 and Early 2010 (Dear John, The Story of Us, Superman, I Knew You Were Trouble)

Mayer tweeted about wanting to record a song with Swift in March 2009. The single Half of My Heart appeared on Mayer’s 2009 album Battle Studies. After the end of their twisted and secret relationship, Taylor wrote Dear John, which Mayer told Rolling Stone "really humiliated" him. In response, Taylor said it was presumptuous that he assumed the song had been meant for him. The Story of Us is about an encounter the two had at the 2010 CMA's. Superman was presumably written near the beginning of their relationship, and the lyric "I loved you from the very first day" is the hidden message for Dear John. Some would argue that Haunted is also about Mayer...but we may never know. The saga continues on Red with I Knew You Were Trouble - the tragic tale of Taylor's venture into "places she's never been" with the man she knew was trouble as soon as he walked in.Mayer has returned the favor penning at least two songs of his own about the relationship Paper Doll and Shadow Days.

Dear John (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: Loved You From The Very First Day

Dear John is Swift’s only track off Speak Now to directly address someone by name. Although many originally speculated that the song would refer to the traditional Dear John letter, she later confirmed that one of the songs on the album used, in typical Swift fashion, the guy’s real name. Her victim is singer-songwriter John Mayer who has known Swift for several years. The two have been linked many times over the last few years in addition to releasing a song together (Half Of My Heart). Swift has admitted that Dear John and The Story of Us share a suitor. The hidden message in the lyric booklet also hints to one of the album’s bonus tracks , reading, “loved you from the very first day.” This leads to the conclusion that Mr. Mayer inspired not one – not two – but at least three songs on Speak Now (though we have a feeling that Haunted is about him too).

Sources: 1, 2, 3

The Story Of Us (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: CMT Awards

Taylor Swift shares the background of The Story of Us in an interview saying, “It was at an awards show and there had been this falling-out between me and this guy. I think both of us had so much that we wanted to say, but we’re sitting six seats away from each other, just fighting this silent war of ‘I don’t care that you’re here.’ I remember getting home and sitting at the kitchen table and saying to my mom, ‘It was like I was standing alone in a crowded room.’ That’s when my eyes glazed over and I got distracted and walked away to write. My mom is used to me doing that.” It has been confirmed that the song refers to the 2010 CMT Awards where John Mayer performed with Keith Urban. Swift confessed in an interview with USA Today’s Brian Mansfield that Dear John and The Story of Us were both inspired by the same guy.

Sources: 1

Ours (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: n/a

Swift has been coy about the subject of bonus track Ours but said in an official statement about the song, “It’s about being in love with someone, and people don’t necessarily think it is a good idea, and everybody’s giving you a hard time about it but you don’t really care.”  The lyrics, Cause I love the gap between your teeth / And I love the riddles that you speak / And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored / ‘Cause my heart is yours, make up the song’s most leading verse. Swift’s Mine video co-star Toby Hemingway may fit, he has tattoos and a sizable gap between his teeth. John Mayer's arm is also covered in tattoos, and his reputation is every father’s nightmare. Though Mayer is almost exclusively tight-lipped in pictures he is rumored to have a gap in his bottom teeth.

Sources: 1

Superman (Speak Now)

Hidden Message: n/a

The bonus track Superman from Swift's third studio album Speak Now may be about Swift's relationship with John Mayer. The line, I loved you from the very first day, is also the hidden message from the song Dear John, and just to erase any lingering doubts later croons, he's not all bad like his reputation.