Swifties, have you fully recovered? On Nov. 29, fans of Taylor Swift were rewarded when Swift was named Spotify’s Most-Streamed Global Artist for 2023 Spotify Wrapped. As a thank you, fans finally got “You’re Losing Me (From The Vault)” on streaming platforms. Many have been begging for this song after snippets of the Midnights hit went viral on TikTok, but no one was prepared for the heartbreaking lyrics that have Swifties side eyeing one person: Joe Alwyn, Swift’s ex-boyfriend.
Jack Antonoff, Swift’s bestie and producer, added fuel to the fire when he dropped the date of when the song was written. In an Instagram story posted on Nov. 29, Antonoff wrote, “You’re losing me is out today. A very special track from the midnights session that’s finally streaming! Written and recorded at home on 12/5/2021 right after Taylor ate these raisins.”
If you’re in the Swifitieverse, then you know why that date is so important. The heartbreaking song came to fruition almost two years before Alwyn and Swift split, which has fans taking a deep dive into the lyrics and wondering what went wrong in their relationship. And let’s just say, fans are unwell.
What is “You’re Losing Me” about?
“You’re Losing Me” has connotations of a breakup song, or rather a song about a relationship nearing a breakup. The first verse of “You’re Losing Me” hits this right off the bat. Swift references getting a first glimpse at a relationship coming to its end, with the two partners not understanding each other. Swift sings, “You say, ‘I don’t understand,’ and I say, ‘I know you don’t./ We thought a cure would come through in time, now, I fear it won’t.” The couple has different views of their relationship, but will they ever overcome this?
Similarly, Swift sings, “I’m getting tired even for a phoenix/ Always risin’ from the ashes/ Mendin’ all her gashes/ You might just have dealt the final blow.” In mythology, a Phoenix is a unique bird that lived for centuries and was reborn anew when it survived a fire. Swift is referring to someone preserving through every squabble in the relationship, but now, it’s too much to survive. After fighting for their relationship time and time again, the protagonist can no longer fight.
Essentially, the relationship has reached its end and the love is lost. This is directly referenced when Swift sings in the chorus, “Stop, you’re losin’ me/ I can’t find a pulse/ My heart won’t start anymore for you/ ‘Cause you’re losin’ me.” Love wasn’t enough to overcome the relationship’s hardships. Swift continues, “How long could we be a sad song/ ‘Til we were too far gone to bring back to life?”
“You’re Losing Me” is a heartbreaking depiction of when a relationship has run its course. It’s about two partners still in love, but they are drifting apart.
Is “You’re Losing Me” inspired by Alwyn?
Though the song’s two characters and their inspiration have not been explicitly revealed, fans think the song is about the end of Alwyn and Swift’s relationship, especially after Antonoff dropped the date the song was written. Lyrics in the song might point to specific moments in the former couple’s relationship.
ICYMI, Alwyn and Swift dated for six years, with the relationship ultimately coming to an end in April 2023 over differences in personalities, according to People. There has been speculation that these differences were the constant spotlight Swift had on her and Alwyn not wanting to be a part of that. In “You’re Losing Me,” Swift sings, “I’m the best thing at this party,” referring the spotlight always on her. She then goes on to sing, “A pathological people pleaser who only wanted you to see her.” This might mean despite the constant eyes on her, Swift only wanted Alwyn to understand her — no one else mattered. Though she’s a people pleaser, the only person she wants to please is her S.O.
In 2022, there were speculations that Alwyn and Swift had gotten engaged, but Alwyn shut that down in an interview with WSJ. He said, “If I had a pound for every time I think I’ve been told I’ve been engaged, then I’d have a lot of pound coins. I mean, the truth is, if the answer was yes, I wouldn’t say, and if the answer was no, I wouldn’t say.” In “You’re Losing Me,” Swift sings, “And I wouldn’t marry me either.” Bye. I’m unwell. Is it possible that Swift wanted to get engaged, but Alwyn didn’t?
The heartbreaking connotations of this song have fans wondering if the beloved star’s relationship ended earlier than many initially thought. Though nothing has been confirmed, the poetic lyrics were enough to send fans into a spiral. Thank you, Swift. This will be my hyperfixation for the next month.