The pop world is buzzing with a fresh round of lyric detective work. Fans of Taylor Swift think her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, holds a secret. They believe one track is a direct message to fellow artist Charli XCX. This album just dropped, and listeners quickly found the song causing all the talk.
The Life of a Showgirl was released on Friday, October 3. Soon after, Swifties zeroed in on track 7, "Actually Romantic." Many feel this song is inspired by Charli, who is 33 years old. It sounds like Swift, 35, might be airing some grievances.
Swift kicks off the first verse with sharp lines. She sings, “I heard you call me a boring Barbie when coke clouds your mind / You high-fived my ex then said you’re glad he ignored me.” The lyrics continue, “You wrote me a song saying you’re sick of seeing my face / Some people might get offended.”
But then the chorus takes a surprising turn. Swift belts out, “But it’s actually sweet / All the time you’ve spent with me / It’s really crazy / All the effort you’ve put in / It’s actually romantic / I have to give it to you / No man has loved me like you.” Talk about throwing shade with a smile!
A History of Pop Star Puzzles
This isn’t the first time fans have noticed a possible lyric battle. Both Charli and Swift have denied any bad blood between them. However, fans have long believed Charli’s 2024 song, “Sympathy Is a Knife,” hints at Swift. In that track, Charli sings, “This girl wakes up my insecurities / I don’t know if it’s real or if I’m losing control.”
Taylor Swift, Charli XCX. Getty Images (2)
In one verse, Charli mentions not wanting ‘that girl’ backstage at her boyfriend’s show. This line first sparked rumors involving Swift. The boyfriend Charli refers to is now her husband, George Daniel. He is the drummer for The 1975. Swift previously dated Matty Healy, the band’s frontman. Charli also adds, “Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they end soon.”
Swift’s new song doesn’t name anyone directly. Still, some fans connected the ‘coke’ mention to Charli. Charli sang about ‘a line’ in her 2024 hit, "365." The lyrical hints just keep coming.
Then in the bridge, Swift sings, “You think I’m vulgar, baby / Stop talking dirty to me / It sounded nasty, but it seems like you’re flirting with me / I mind my business / God is my witness that I don’t provoke it / It’s something that even turns me on.”
Denials and Admiration
Last year, both pop stars denied any bad feelings between them. Charli clarified that “Sympathy Is a Knife” is about her own insecurities. She said it’s not about any specific woman. The “Von Dutch” singer told New York Magazine in August 2024, “People are going to think what they want to think.” She added, “That song is about me, about my feelings, my anxiety. It’s about how my brain makes up stories when I feel unsure. And how I don’t want to be in those places when I doubt myself.”
Swift, for her part, praised Charli in the same article. She told the outlet she is a huge fan of Charli’s work. Swift said, “I first heard ‘Stay Away’ in 2011. Since then, Charli’s melodic touch has always amazed me. Her songwriting is always dreamlike and fresh.” Swift continued, “She always takes a song somewhere surprising. She has done this steadily for over ten years. I love seeing hard work like that get its reward.”
Despite the denials, the lyrical connections keep fans guessing. The Life of a Showgirl is out now.