Taylor Swift’s song “Blank Space” from her 2014 album 1989 is widely believed to be written about one of her ex-boyfriends. However, Swift has not explicitly confirmed who the song is about. Over the years, fans and media have speculated about which of Swift’s high-profile relationships inspired the scathing track. Let’s take a closer look at some of the theories about who “Blank Space” is written about.
Lyrics Hinting at the Subject
The lyrics of “Blank Space” paint a picture of a vain and unstable partner Swift encounters after a breakup. Here are some notable lines that provide clues about who the song could be referring to:
The Twist
“Cause we’re young and we’re reckless, we’ll take this way too far, it’ll leave you breathless, or with a nasty scar”
This lyric suggests the song is about a partner who took the relationship too far.
The Breakup
“So it’s gonna be forever, or it’s gonna go down in flames”
This depicts a dramatic relationship ending badly.
The New Partner
“Boys only want love if it’s torture, don’t say I didn’t say I didn’t warn ya”
Swift warns her next partner after the breakup about her willingness to get revenge through songwriting.
The Volatile Relationship
“Screaming, crying, perfect storm, I can make all the tables turn”
Swift describes fighting and emotional turmoil in the new relationship.
When Was “Blank Space” Written?
Pinpointing when Swift wrote “Blank Space” provides clues about who it was likely inspired by. She wrote the entire 1989 album in 2014, with recording sessions happening between February and July of that year.
Swift began dating Scottish DJ Calvin Harris in March 2014. She also briefly dated actor Tom Hiddleston in mid-2016. So the song was most likely about someone she was involved with in 2013 or early 2014 prior to herHarris relationship.
Taylor Swift’s 2013-2014 Relationships
Here is a timeline of Swift’s public relationships in 2013-2014 that have sparked speculation about “Blank Space”:
Harry Styles
– Dated from late 2012 to early 2013
– Highly publicized relationship and messy breakup
– Styles’ playboy reputation matches “Blank Space” lyrics
Conor Kennedy
– Brief summer romance in 2012
– Unlikely to be Kennedy based on short timeframe
Jake Gyllenhaal
– Romance from October 2010 to January 2011
– Rumored to inspire songs on Swift’s 2012 album Red
– Relationship possibly too early to be about “Blank Space”
| Partner | Relationship Timeframe | Likelihood to Inspire “Blank Space” |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Styles | Late 2012 – Early 2013 | High |
| Conor Kennedy | Summer 2012 | Low |
| Jake Gyllenhaal | October 2010 – January 2011 | Low |
Based on the timeline, Harry Styles seems to be the most probable muse for “Blank Space” among Swift’s known relationships.
Evidence Pointing to Harry Styles
Here is some of the evidence that suggests “Blank Space” is about Swift’s former relationship with Styles:
The Playboy Image
Styles was known as a heartbreaker and a ladies man, especially after dating Swift and subsequently being linked romantically to several models. His love life fits the playboy reputation Swift sings about.
Messy Breakup
Swift and Styles’ relationship was splashed across tabloids during its duration. When they broke up in early 2013, rumors circulated that they had an ugly falling out. The drama matches the “disaster relationship” portrayed in the lyrics.
Dating Timeframe Lines Up
Styles and Swift were still together when she began penning songs for 1989 in early 2014. The relationship was recent enough to make sense as inspiration for “Blank Space.”
Other Relationships Less Likely as Inspiration
While Styles seems the probable subject, fans have also speculated about other former boyfriends as possible inspiration:
John Mayer
– Dated in 2009-2010 prior to 1989 songwriting
– Relationship drama well in past by 2014
Jake Gyllenhaal
– Dated months before 1989 recording sessions
– Rumored to be about 2012 song “All Too Well” instead
Conor Kennedy
– Brief summer 2012 fling
– Short timeframe makes Kennedy an unlikely choice
Calvin Harris
– Began dating in March 2014 as 1989 was being recorded
– Harris relationship came later than “Blank Space” creation
Based on the timing and character details, Styles remains the most likely candidate for the scathing song’s subject matter.
Lyrical Comparisons with Styles’ Reputation
Let’s take a closer look at some specific lyrics from “Blank Space” and how they may relate to Styles’ image and his relationship with Swift:
“Boys only want love if it’s torture”
– Reflects ideas about Styles being a heartbreaker
– His pursuit of short-term flings matches the “torture” reference
“Ain’t it funny, rumors fly?”
– Styles and Swift’s relationship was under constant tabloid scrutiny
– Breakup fueled rumors about infidelity and arguments
“So it’s gonna be forever, or it’s gonna go down in flames”
– Their romance was intense and highly publicized
– The melodramatic end matches the “down in flames” lyric
“Cherry lips, crystal skies, I could show you incredible things”
– Describes whirlwind romance in the early stages
– References to Styles include cherry lips and crystal blue eyes
Conor Kennedy Theory
Though less likely, some fans think Swift’s brief romance with Conor Kennedy could be the subject of “Blank Space.” Here’s some potential evidence:
The Kennedy Curse
Some lyrics like “leave you breathless” and “nasty scar” could reference the Kennedy family’s history of tragic deaths.
Swift’s Image After the Relationship
Her highly-publicized summer with Kennedy portrayed her as a serial dater jumping from guy to guy.
Age Difference
Kennedy was only 18 when Swift was 22. The lyric about being “young and reckless” fits this scenario.
However, the fling only lasted a couple months in 2012, making it an unlikely choice for a song released years later.
Conclusion
In the end, the timeline and lyrical evidence point heavily toward “Blank Space” being about Harry Styles. The song’s themes closely match Styles’ playboy reputation and the melodramatic arc of his relationship with Swift leading up to her 1989 album. While some fans speculate about other exes as possible inspirations, her brief 2012 romance with Styles remains the most likely candidate for the scathing track’s origins. Swift has never directly confirmed who the song is about, but her singing about yet another dramatic celebrity relationship turned ugly certainly fits the singer’s extensive narrative songwriting tradition.
