Many fans believed that not only was “So Long, London” a thinly-veiled song about Taylor Swift’s time with Joe Alwyn, but that “The Tortured Poets Department” album title was inspired by “The Favourite” actor. “I didn’t opt in to be your odd man out / I founded the club she’s heard great things about,” Swift sang on “So Long, London.” The singer may have slightly altered the name, but when she announced “TTPD” in February, Swifties pointed out that it was a reference to a group chat Alwyn had with fellow actors. “Apparently, joe and paul mescal’s whatsapp gc was called ‘the tortured mens club,'” a fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, at the time.
There was another clear reference to Alwyn in “So Long, London,” as Swift mentioned their time in London. “I left all I knew, you left me at the house by the Heath,” she sang. During COVID-19 lockdown, the couple spent time at a large home in the outskirts of London near Hampstead Heath. That place was located near Alwyn’s family.
Swift’s friend, Keleigh Teller, seemingly threw shade at Alwyn when “TTPD” was released. Teller took a screenshot of “So Long, London,” playing on her home and shared it to her Instagram Stories, but added a peace sign emoji (via Page Six). Besides the references to her ex on the album, there was strong evidence that “So High School” lyrics were about Travis Kelce, and the NFL player embraced the attention.
