Studying Time: 3 minutes
Taylor Swift had so much to say in “The Fate of Ophelia” — and the lyrics aren’t refined.
The Lifetime of a Showgirl is right here, bringing pleasure to Swifties. And readability, after Thursday’s combination of actual and faux leaks.
On this specific track, which has swiftly emerged as a fan-favorite, Taylor evokes imagery of conquer tragedy.
She’s clearly singing about her love for Travis Kelce. However is there additionally a serious dig at an notorious ex?
Taylor Swift attends the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Photos for The Recording Academy)
What do Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ lyrics imply?
At midnight, The Lifetime of a Showgirl debuted to the thrill of tens of millions.
Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album incorporates a mix of kinds.
Songs vary from the tender “Glitch” vibes of “Wi$h Li$t” to the gleeful retro tone of “Opalite.”
If social media is any indicator, Taylor’s greatest hit has been “The Fate of Ophelia.”
What are the lyrics all about?
From the primary traces, you possibly can hear that Taylor’s lyrics are about Travis Kelce.
“I hear you callin’ on the megaphone,” she begins. “You wanna see me all alone.”
Famously, Travis’ eagerness for a meet-and-greet with Taylor bordered upon purple flag conduct.
However he caught her curiosity — and gained her coronary heart.
There’s extra, with “Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes,” a transparent nod to his sports activities staff, the Chiefs.
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift after the Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Payments 32-29 to win the AFC Championship Recreation at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Jamie Squire/Getty Photos)
We’ll say this a lot for Swifties: generally, the numbers are very vital
When Taylor Swift sings “The Fate of Ophelia,” the lyrics embody the phrase: “keep it one hundred.”
That phrase, a standard factor of American parlance referring to honesty, is a well-liked saying of Travis Kelce.
Additionally, on the threat of sounding just like the numerology facet of web Swifties, there’s extra to it.
Travis’ uniform quantity (an enormous deal within the sports activities world) is 87. Taylor’s fortunate quantity is 13. (They add as much as 100)
Travis’ first Instagram publish that includes Taylor additionally occurred to make use of the road “keep it 100.”
Taylor Swift attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Enviornment on September 11, 2024. (Photograph Credit score: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos)
As for the deeper that means of Taylor’s lyrics, it’s proper there within the title.
Taylor is likening herself to Ophelia, a tragic determine from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The distinction — what saves her from the character’s destiny of torment, isolation, and dying — appears to be discovering love with Travis.
Is that dramatic? Sure. However Taylor is a passionate individual.
Additionally, we’re speaking about track lyrics. Poetic license form of goes with the territory.
Travis Kelce, left, and Taylor Swift react because the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers play in the course of the first interval in Recreation 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Ultimate at Amerant Financial institution Enviornment on June 12, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Bruce Bennett/Getty Photos)
Are these lyrics additionally a jab at Matty Healy?
We’ve to think about whether or not Taylor Swift can also be discussing another person within the lyrics to “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Particularly, her “dirtbag summer” ex Matty Healy.
In Hamlet, the titular character may be very unkind to Ophelia. He toys along with her feelings and disappoints her.
The nicest that Hamlet is to Ophelia is arguably when he rests his head on her lap and makes a Shakespearean pun about her genitals.
Did Matty drive Taylor to near-madness simply as Hamlet’s callous disregard for Ophelia led to her doom?
Possibly or perhaps not. However that’s one interpretation of those lyrics.
