As the whole world knows by now, TS12 is coming out, and as Taylor Swift said herself, it’s called The Life of a Showgirl. Not only do we know the title, the iconic photoshoots in it, and of course, the tracklist. And ever since it was released, everyone has been wondering what each means. Which one is about her boyfriend, Travis Kelce? Is there a track about US President Donald Trump in it? Why the heck is one called “Wood?” Well, don’t worry, we’ve had the same questions too.
While we won’t know for certain until the album gets released on October 3, 2025, fans and experts have been speculating up a storm. What we do know for certain is that she conceived the album during the European leg of her Eras tour, that it’s about her life as an entertainer, and that she’s collaborating with Max Martin and Shellback, who worked with her on her 2017 album Reputation.
But the songs? We may just know the titles, but Swifties have already been decoding what they mean. So, we put on our detective caps and started looking around.
We did it for The Tortured Ports Department, and we’re doing it again for The Life of a Showgirl. Below, see what each song from The Life of a Showgirl could be about:
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“The Fate of Ophelia”
“The Fate of Ophelia”
The first track, “The Fate of Ophelia,” has everyone talking. Not only do people think the cover is a coded message that looks exactly like the famous painting, yknow, the Hamlet-inspired painting by John Everett Millais, but they think the song may have something to do with the character as well.
In Hamlet, Ophelia died by drowning after experiencing a mental breakdown, and many interpreted that breakdown as having her life controlled by men. She confirmed the song is referencing Hamlet, and many think it has to do with public perception about her, and big men in music trying to make her story for her.
“Elizabeth Taylor”
“Elizabeth Taylor”
Now, Swift has made references to Elizabeth Taylor in numerous songs like “Jailer,” but having the full name as the track “Elizabeth Taylor” has people speculating what it could be. In a viral Reddit thread, fans are convinced the song is about her love story with Travis Kelce.
“Opalite”
“Opalite”
Another song people think is about Travis Kelce is the third song on the album: “Opalite.” Opalite has been a recurring topic in her romance with Kelce, and we’re going to dive into all of it. Not only is it Kelce’s birthstone, but Swift has been seen with headline-making opal jewelry a couple of times now: she wore Opal earrings when he won the Super Bowl in 2024, and wore an opal ring for her birthday in 2023 that many believed was given to her by Kelce, per Elle.
“Father Figure”
“Father Figure”
“Father Figure” has everyone confused. While some think it’ll be a cover of the 1987 song by George Michael, just as many think it could be about her own father, Scott, or, per the viral Reddit thread, it could be about the industry or Scooter Braun.
“Eldest Daughter”
“Eldest Daughter”
As many Swifties know, the fifth song of her albums is always something super deep, and many think “Eldest Daughter” will be exactly as it sounds: a song about her life as an eldest child.
“Ruin the Friendship”
“Ruin the Friendship”
“Ruin the Friendship” has everyone stumped. In the viral thread, and on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, many speculate that it could be about a friend of hers who passed away, about her romance with Kelce, or even her ex-friendship with Blake Lively.
“Actually Romantic”
“Actually Romantic”
Swift even hinted in the New Heights podcast that the track “Actually Romantic” may be about Kelce, and about how he got her attention to start dating. So our moneys on that!
“Wi$h Li$t”
“Wi$h Li$t”
The dollar signs in “Wi$h Li$t” are standing out to fans, who are speculating like crazy.
One of the most viral takes is on X, where one fan said: “Wi$h Li$t is the things money can’t buy… I.E. Marriage and kids.. 🫣.” However, fans think it’ll have a more literal take, with one saying: “when the entirety of Wi$h Li$t is just her bragging about how rich she is 7 rings style.”
There’s also the theory that it could be an upbeat single about buying back her masters.
“Wood”
“Wood”
“Wood” probably is the track that has the most people stumped, but we’re here to break it all down. So, many think the Pinocchio figurine in the background during the New Heights episode may be a related Easter egg, potentially having the same talk about the wooden doll and the parallels between the two.
And an X user wrote a theory about how the “wood” could be represented by being forced to achieve a goal without distractions.
“CANCELLED!”
“CANCELLED!”
“CANCELLED!” has a few theories behind it: with some thinking it’s a jab at people who try to cancel her for who she hangs out with, potentially a dig at what US President Donald Trump has said about her, or even something more strategic. One X user said, “so when people google ‘taylor swift cancelled’ they get the song omg.”
“Honey”
“Honey”
Many believe “Honey” is definitely going to be a song dedicated to Travis Kelce. Not only is it a term of affection, but many think she hinted at this song weeks prior. Fun fact: In Happy Gilmore 2, Kelce’s character was slathered in honey by Bad Bunny’s character, and to commemorate it, Swift shouted it out on her Instagram Stories with the honey emoji.
“The Life of a Showgirl” (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)
“The Life of a Showgirl” (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)
“The Life of a Showgirl” (featuring Sabrina Carpenter) may be the most straightforward one, especially since both she and Carpenter have very public lives, and have to deal with the realities of being a “showgirl.”
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