The men who have inspired Taylor Swift's best lyrics -

Who doesn’t appreciate a good love song or, let's be honest, a good breakup song? Well, Taylor Swift is on top of the music game and she’s got inspiration in spades! Taking a look at her dating history alongside her discography reveals a chronology of hits, coinciding with her most memorable relationships.

It can’t be easy having these experiences happen out in the public eye, from such a young age. However, Taylor Swift has turned her experiences into an art form.

Ready? Click on for a look back at the men who inspire her lyrics.

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Musical clues -

Taylor’s dating and relationship history has garnered much attention over the course of her career. She famously writes songs about her exes. While she doesn’t confirm nor deny which songs are about whom, some hints are more obvious than others.

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Joe Jonas -

Her first high-profile public relationship, Taylor dated Joe Jonas for a few months all the way back in 2008. Jonas famously broke up with the then 18-year old over a 25-second phone call. She used the breakup as inspiration for her second album, 'Fearless.'

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'Mr. Perfectly Fine' -

'Forever & Always,' 'Last Kiss,' 'Better Than Revenge' and 'Mr. Perfectly Fine' were all written about Jonas (allegedly). Swift won her first Grammy for the album.

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Exes club -

She was later reported to be on good terms with Jonas. Following the announcement of his divorce from Sophie Turner, she and Taylor were spotted catching up over dinner in September 2023.

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Lucas Till -

Lucas Till and Swift met on the set of 'Hannah Montana: The Movie,' in which Swift had a small cameo. He went on to star in Swift’s 'You Belong with Me' music video, but the pair called it quits after a few months of dating in 2009.

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Taylor Lautner -

The couple met while filming 'Valentine's Day,' where they played high-school love interests, this in July 2009.

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"Taylor Squared" -

Taylor and Taylor earned the nickname "Taylor Squared"  by fans. However, they weren't meant to be, and the couple split up in December 2009.

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Inspired songwriting -

Swift allegedly wrote 'Back to December' about their romance. The pair remain friends, and he even joined her on stage during her Eras tour in Kansas City, in the summer of 2023.

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Cory Monteith -

Swift and late 'Glee' star Cory Monteith reportedly dated for a brief period of time in 2010. The song 'Mine' about a short-lived romance is suspected to be about him.

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John Mayer -

John Mayer and Taylor Swift dated for just a couple months after collaborating on 'Half of My Heart.' There was a considerable age gap between the pair; Swift, was 19, while Mayer was 32. She wrote the song 'Dear John' following the breakup.

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Rolling Stone interview -

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mayer stated, “I will say as a songwriter that I think it’s kind of cheap songwriting.”

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'Midnights - 3am Edition' -

A new song on the extended edition of her latest album is also thought to be about Mayer, 'Should've, Would've, Could've.'

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Jake Gyllenhaal -

Swift was in a relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal in the autumn of 2010. There was a nine-year age gap between the pair. She was 20, to his 29.

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'Red' -

It's thought many of the songs on the 'Red' album are referencing her relationship with the actor, who she met at Gwyneth Paltrow's home in London.

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'All Too Well' -

In 2021, the singer released an extended version of her song 'All Too Well,' long-believed to be about the actor, to much criticism and critical acclaim.

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Conor Kennedy -

Swift dated Conor Kennedy for several months in 2012. He is the grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy, and the pair were photographed getting close in Cape Cod that summer.

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'Starlight' -

One of Swift's songs, 'Starlight,' is supposed to be about Robert F. Kennedy's courtship of his wife, Ethel.

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Harry Styles -

Harry Styles and Taylor Swift's first public appearance as a couple was in December of 2015, when they were snapped going for a stroll in Central Park.

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Tensions? -

After their breakup, there were rumored tensions between the pair. In the video for her song '22,' fans sleuthed the beanie she wears on the beach was a reference to her relationship with Styles.

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'1989' -

Several songs on '1989' are rumored to be about Styles, including 'Style,' 'Out of the Woods,' and 'All You Had to Do Was Stay.'

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Friendly at the 2023 Grammys -

The pair seem to be on good terms though, as they were photographed sharing a friendly moment at the Grammy’s in February 2023.

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Calvin Harris -

The couple dated for over a year, making things official by attending the Billboard Music Awards together in May 2015. Yet in March of 2016, Harris called things off.

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Tom Hiddleston -

Swift and Tom Hiddleston caught everyone by surprise when they began dating after they met at the Met Gala in 2016.

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"Hiddleswift" -

Dubbed "Hiddleswift" by fans, the relationship lasted a few months after a video surfaced of them dancing together at the Gala. Hiddleston famously wore an "I heart TS" T-shirt on the beach while they were dating.

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Joe Alwyn -

Swift also met actor Joe Alwyn at the Met Gala in 2016. They began a secretive relationship, not revealing they were an item until the following year.

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'Miss Americana' (2020) -

In her 2020 autobiographical documentary 'Miss Americana,' she said about Alwyn: “I was falling in love with someone who had a wonderfully normal, balanced life."

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Single again -

But after more than six years together, the pair confirmed their split in April 2023. In the breakup aftermath, Swift was frequently photographed out and about in New York with famous friends, including Gigi Hadid.

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Matty Healy -

Swift was romantically linked to The 1975 front man Matty Healy in the weeks after her breakup from Alwyn.

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Matty Healy -

Healy and Swift were initially linked back in 2014. However, just a month after their dating reportedly began in 2023, reports surfaced that it was already over.

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Travis Kelce -

In late summer 2023, Swift was linked to Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce. One year later, they’re still together, and Swift even mentioned him in her speech at the 2024 VMAs.

Sources: (People) (Capital FM)

See also: The cryptic clues in Taylor Swift's music

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