20 Taylor Swift songs with literary references you may have missed

Callie AhlgrimMay 20, 2023, 19:15 IST

Taylor Swift performs in Atlanta during the Eras Tour.Terence Rushin/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift is renowned for her storytelling prowess and poetic sensibility.
Her lyrics reference famous novels by Daphne du Maurier, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kurt Vonnegut, and more.

"The Outside" contains a clear allusion to Robert Frost.

"The Outside" is the sixth track on "Taylor Swift."John Shearer/WireImage

"All Too Well" is thematically connected to Pablo Neruda's "Tonight I Can Write."

"All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" is the 30th track on "Red (Taylor's Version)."Taylor Swift/YouTube

"Wonderland" is a "twisted" take on Lewis Caroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

"Wonderland" is the 14th track on "1989 (Deluxe)."Liu Xingzhe/Visual China Group via Getty Images; Walt Disney Studios

"New Romantics" kicks off with an explicit reference to "The Scarlet Letter."

"New Romantics" is the 16th track on "1989 (Deluxe Edition)."Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TAS; Sony

"...Ready For It?" name-drops Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, whose relationship was immortalized in "Furious Love."

"...Ready For It?" is the first track on "Reputation."Don Arnold/TAS18/API/GAMMA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

"Don't Blame Me" may contain a subtle nod to Daisy Buchanan.

"Don't Blame Me" is the fourth track on "Reputation."Warner Bros; John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

"Delicate" contains another subtle Fitzgerald parallel.

"Delicate" was released as a single on March 12, 2018.Taylor Swift/YouTube

"So It Goes..." shares a striking similarity with "Slaughterhouse-Five."

"So It Goes..." is the seventh track on "Reputation."Don Arnold/TAS18/Getty Images

"Getaway Car" opens with an allusion to "A Tale of Two Cities."

"Getaway Car" is the ninth track on "Reputation."Don Arnold/TAS18/Getty Images

"This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" explicitly references "The Great Gatsby."

"This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" is the 13th track on "Reputation."Warner Bros. Pictures/Roadshow Entertainment

"Cardigan" mentions Peter Pan.

"Cardigan" was released as a single on July 24, 2020.Taylor Swift/YouTube; Universal Pictures

"Mirrorball" recalls Sylvia Plath's acclaimed poem "Lady Lazarus."

"Mirrorball" is the seventh track on "Folklore."John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

"Invisible String" could be tied to "Jane Eyre" or "The Sun Also Rises."

"Invisible String" is the 11th track on "Folklore."Omar Vega/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

"Mad Woman" thematically resembles "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys, a prequel to "Jane Eyre."

"Mad Woman" is the 12th track on "Folklore."John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management; Focus Features

"The Lakes" pays tribute to William Wordsworth and the Romantic poets of the 18th century.

"The Lakes" is the 17th and final track on "Folklore (Deluxe Version)."Octavio Jones/TAS23/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

"Tolerate It" was partially inspired by "Rebecca."

"Tolerate It" is the fifth track on "Evermore."Terence Rushin/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

"Happiness" also seems to reference Gatsby, Daisy, and the infamous green light.

"Happiness" is the seventh track on "Evermore."Octavio Jones/TAS23/Getty Images for for TAS Rights Management; Warner Bros

Many fans believe "Ivy" was inspired by Emily Dickinson and Sue Gilbert.

"Ivy" is the 10th track on "Evermore."John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images; Apple TV+

"Evermore" contains possible references to Dickinson and Brontë.

"Evermore" is the 15th and final track on "Evermore."Terence Rushin/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

The title of "Dear Reader" evokes the most iconic line from "Jane Eyre."

"Dear Reader" is the 20th and final track on "Midnights (3am Edition)."Ethan Miller/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management; Focus Features

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