Only one song on this list comes with Taylor Swift’s direct explanation that it drew on protecting a relationship from public scrutiny: “Lavender Haze.” The other selections are linked to Joe Alwyn through reported context, songwriting credits, or interpretation—not confirmed as accounts of him. Here are ten songs often connected to their relationship, with the evidence made clear for each.
How to read this list
“About Joe Alwyn” can mean several different things: Swift has identified an inspiration, Alwyn has a documented writing credit, or listeners and publications have interpreted a song through the relationship’s timeline. Those categories are not interchangeable. A co-writing credit does not establish a song’s subject, and a lyric that seems to fit a relationship is not proof of authorial intent.
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Swift and Alwyn were first linked in May 2017, and reporting of their split emerged in April 2023, according to Us Weekly’s relationship timeline. That chronology provides context for songs released during those years; it cannot by itself confirm what any song is about.
Ten songs connected to the relationship
1. “Lavender Haze” — artist-confirmed inspiration
This is the clearest case. In an Instagram video reported by iHeart on October 8, 2022, Swift said the song was about ignoring outside commentary to protect the relationship: “And so this song is sort of about the act of ignoring that stuff to protect the real stuff.” Her explanation connects the inspiration to public scrutiny and privacy, rather than confirming every lyric as a literal account of the couple. iHeart reported Swift’s explanation.
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2. “Lover” — strongly associated by published reporting
The title track of Lover is frequently read as a love song shaped by Swift’s relationship with Alwyn. Published roundups place it among songs associated with him, but the evidence cited here is reporting and interpretation, not a direct confirmation from Swift that the song narrates their relationship or a particular event.
3. “Paper Rings” — strongly associated by published reporting
Also from Lover, “Paper Rings” is commonly grouped with songs that listeners connect to Alwyn because of its commitment-centered lyrics and the album’s relationship-era context. That makes it a plausible association, not proof that the lyrics document a specific promise or moment between the two.
4. “Cruel Summer” — interpretation/speculation
Some listeners interpret this Lover track as reflecting the early uncertainty of Swift and Alwyn’s relationship. The reading draws on the song’s emotional tension and the period in which the album was written; the sources cited for this list do not establish that Swift confirmed this subject.
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5. “London Boy” — strongly associated by published reporting
This Lover song is often connected to Alwyn, who is British, and to the relationship’s reported London setting. The geographical and biographical fit is suggestive, but it does not independently verify the song’s subject or make every detail autobiographical.
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Alwyn contributed to “exile” under the pseudonym William Bowery. Swift described him writing the piano part, an account reported by iHeart; that documents creative collaboration, not a claim that the song is about his relationship with her. iHeart covered Swift’s account of his contributions.
7. “betty” — documented co-writing, not a confirmed relationship song
Swift said she heard Alwyn singing the formed chorus of “betty,” which helped bring the song into being. He was credited as William Bowery. The credit establishes his involvement in the writing process; it does not make the song a narrative about the couple. Swift and Alwyn’s collaboration on folklore and evermore is also discussed by Elle.
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8. “willow” — interpretation/speculation
Some coverage has connected this evermore song to Alwyn, but published discussion has also described its relationship to him as unclear. Swift has said that many songs on folklore and evermore are not autobiographical; a romantic lyric or relationship-era release is not enough to settle the question. Treat the Alwyn connection as speculation, not confirmation. Cosmopolitan Middle East discusses the uncertainty.
9. “Invisible String” — interpretation/speculation
Listeners often interpret this folklore track as a reflection on fate and a lasting romantic bond, and some connect that theme to Alwyn. The interpretation is not established as Swift’s stated intent. The album’s storytelling approach also makes it especially important not to assume that a first-person song is a literal relationship record.
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10. “Daylight” — interpretation/speculation
This Lover album closer is sometimes read as a statement about finding a more peaceful, lasting kind of love, and consequently associated with Alwyn. The association rests on interpretation and timing rather than a direct explanation from Swift confirming him as the subject.
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What the songwriting credits do—and don’t—tell you
Alwyn’s pseudonym, William Bowery, appears in connection with songs on folklore and evermore. Swift’s accounts of “exile” and “betty” describe his creative contributions, while Elle reports that the pair co-authored songs and that Swift discussed writing sad songs with him. Those facts support calling them collaborators. They do not establish that every co-written song is autobiographical, romantic, or about their relationship.
Which songs are confirmed?
Of these ten, “Lavender Haze” has the strongest direct evidence of relationship inspiration because Swift publicly explained its connection to protecting a relationship from outside scrutiny. “exile” and “betty” have documented Alwyn co-writing contributions, but those credits are evidence of collaboration rather than subject matter. The remaining associations are reported readings or interpretations, not confirmed accounts of the couple.
That distinction matters especially for songs from folklore and evermore, where fictional and non-autobiographical storytelling is part of the context. The relationship timeline can suggest why listeners make a connection, but it cannot prove that a particular lyric describes Alwyn.
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