Taylor Swift’s 'Lover' Lyrics Offer A Glimpse Inside Her And Joe Alwyn’s Relationship

The world is a week away from the release of Taylor Swift's new album Lover, and to mark that, Swift just dropped the title track of the album. 'Lover' the single came out this evening after Swift teased its release date during her Teen Choice Awards speech last Sunday.

'Lover' is one of Swift's most personal tracks so far, and it seems to touch a lot on her ultra-private romance with Joe Alwyn. Fans became convinced she could be hinted she was engaged to him when she teased one of the lyrics from 'Lover'—'My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue. All’s well that ends well, to end up with you'—with her Vogue interview. The song doesn't confirm that, but it does convey how committed she is to him.

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Here, the lyrics via Genius, with all the possible Joe Alwyn references annotated. Swift said yesterday that the music video for 'Lover'—because yes, she shot one, and it'll likely be easter egg-filled—will be out next Thursday, August 22 during her YouTube livestream at 5 P.M. EST. Her album will come out hours later, on August 23.

Verse 1

We can leave the Christmas lights up until January

This is our place, we make the rules

Swift included a fake Christmas tree as an easter egg in her 'ME!' music video, telling fans it was a 'clue for something'—clearly this. But this lyric gives a bigger hint about how long Swift and Alwyn have been together and that they may be at the point where they have lived together (or at least stayed together) since the holidays this year. Alwyn is based in North London while Swift has homes in Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, and Rhode Island. And Alwyn has been photographed leaving her New York apartment with her, suggesting that at least when they're in New York, he stays with her.

And there's a dazzling haze

A mysterious way

About you dear

Have I known you 20 seconds

Or 20 years

Swift and Alwyn have been together for over three years now. They were first seen together in October 2016. In Swift's cover of 'September,' fans speculated she gave away their actual first date when she changed the lyric to 'Do you remember the 28th night of September.'

Chorus

I go where you go

And can we be this close

Forever and ever

The lengths Swift went to secretly visit Alwyn in London was reported by E! in February last year. A source told the outlet. 'Taylor has been in the UK a LOT more than people know. She has the entire routine down pat now.'

People reported this March that Swift and Alwyn travel between his home in the UK and her homes in Los Angeles and New York. 'They’ve found a lifestyle that makes their relationship easy and strong,' an insider told the outlet. 'They have a very special relationship. Joe adores Taylor.'

And I take me out

Take me home

You're my my my my

Lover

Verse 2

We can let our friends crash in the living room

This is our place, we make the call

Several of Swift's friends, including Gigi Hadid and Martha Hunt, follow Joe Alwyn on Instagram. Fans also believed they spotted Alwyn in a photo from the New Year's Eve party Swift threw last year with all of her friends.

And I'm highly suspicious

That everyone who sees you wants you

Swift has sung before in 'Gorgeous' about Alwyn's looks ('If you've got a girlfriend, I'm jealous of her / But if you're single that's honestly worse / 'Cause you're so gorgeous it actually hurts' is just one example.)

I've loved you three summers honey

And I want them all

This line seems to be Swift's confirmation that yes, she and Alwyn are three years strong in in their relationship, and she does want to commit to him longterm. Back in March, Us Weekly reported that a proposal was on the horizon for him and Taylor Swift, and that Swift wanted to be with him. 'Taylor’s friends are all talking about a proposal and how she really wants to marry Joe,' an insider told the outlet. 'He’s her dream guy.'

Chorus

I go where you go

And can we be this close

Forever and ever

And I take me out

Take me home

You're my my my my

Lover

Verse 3

Ladies and Gentlemen

Will you please stand

With every guitar string scar on my hand

I take this magnetic force of a man to be mine

Lover

My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue

All’s well that ends well to end up with you

Swift hasn't announced she's engaged or married, but she and Alwyn have kept their relationship private purposely. While this lyric doesn't announce anything directly, it does confirm at the very least that the two are very serious. As Us's source said of Alwyn in March, 'Joe wants to marry her and she wants to marry him. He’s just waiting to find the perfect time to propose. He wants to make it unforgettable and extremely special.'

Swear to be overdramatic and true

To my lover

Bridge

And you'll say all your dirtiest jokes for me

And at every table

I'll save you a seat, lover

Chorus

I go where you go

And can we be this close

Forever and ever

And I take me out

Take me home

You're my my my my

Lover

Alyssa Bailey

Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.