A disclaimer: I, as a queer person, like to interpret songs through a queer lense. I am merely commenting on song lyrics that to me, sound very gay. Taylor has never explicitly stated her sexuality, and just because she has only publicly dated men doesn’t mean she is inherently straight, that’s a bit of a heteronormative assumption to make. She very well could be straight, I am not speculating about her sexuality, just commenting my own thoughts and opinions on her music. I find the Gaylor theory to be quite entertaining. 

Now that the hetlors won’t come after me, let’s get on with the analysis. 

1. I Know Places

As I looked up the lyrics to include notable ones in this post, I came to the conclusion that I would have to use every single lyric from this song. A heterosexual explanation for this track? There isn’t one. 

With that being said, here’s arguably, the most queer lyrics from her gayest song.

“You stand with your hand on my waistline/It’s a scene, and we’re out here in plain sight/I can hear them whisper as we pass by” 

Why would people be whispering about a heterosexuual relationship? Why would it be a scene? Why would it be scandalous to be out in plain sight? Why do we have to go to the trouble of mentioning these specific whispers, when I’m sure people have had plenty to say in the past. 

“Baby, I know places we won’t be found and”

Most importantly, why would you need to find places to have this relationship in secret?

2. It’s Nice to Have A Friend 

This song holds a special place in my heart as it has very strong QPR vibes. Not to mention this is one of the most criminally underrated Taylor Swift songs of all time. 

“Something gave you the nerve/To touch my hand”

Most people grow up with school friends of the same gender as them. The pair of friends in this song walk home together, play twenty questions, and hang out after school. Sure, this could be about a boy and a girl. I think it would take a lot more nerve for a girl to touch her girl-friend’s hand. Just saying… 

3. Ivy

“Taking mine, but it’s been promised to another”

A classic case of  “I’m married to a man but am actually in love with a woman.” 

“He’s in the room/Your opal eyes are all I wish to see/He wants what’s only yours”

Personally, I would never, and have never, described a man’s eyes as opal…

“So tell me to run/Or dare to sit and watch what we’ll become/And drink my husband’s wine”

The speaker clearly cannot destroy this relationship with her husband. That would require leaving him, and outing herself to be with this other woman. The courage that would be required would be astronomical. It would be a completely terrifying thing to do to uproot your life. However, if the person you truly love suggested it, gave you an encouraging push to make that change, one might just be able to do it. But, if she says nothing, she’ll have to watch from afar and observe a relationship that will never end. 

4. Wonderland 

“Haven’t you heard what becomes of curious minds?”

Curiosity killed the cat. Or in this case, curiosity made you realize you were gay. 

“We found Wonderland/You and I got lost in it/And life was never worse but never better”

This line is the epitome of a queer relationship. You come out and find someone you love dearly, making you the happiest you’ve ever been, yet you’re stuck dealing with more homophobia than ever before. 

“Too in love to think straight”

You know who can’t think straight? Gay people. 

5. New Romantics

“And every day is like a battle/But every night with us is like a dream”

In the daylight we’re battling homophobia, hiding our true selves. At night we’re partying it up at secret gay bars. 

“Heartbreak is the national anthem/We sing it proudly.”

There is an unnecessary amount of heartbreak that queer people face, whether that be from a romantic partner, friends, family members, politicans…the list goes on. Based on the tone of this song, the speaker is reclaiming the heartbreak of homophobia and turning it into something to be proud about, and celebrate the battles they have won. 

“The best people in life are free” 

Translation: The best people in life are free (from the closet). 

I also think it is important to mention that earlier in the song it says, “We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom,” One can only assume that that would mean there are two people in the same bathroom, a clear suggestion that the two people are of the same gender. 

6. Out of The Woods

Another song where I refuse to accept  a straight explanation. 

“The rest of the world was black and white/But we were in screaming color”

For reference, the straight flag: 

The pride flag: 

“Are we out of the woods yet?” 

This line sounds familiar. Reminds me of…oh yeah! The closet! Are we out of the closet yet?

“Ooh, your necklace hanging from my neck” 

I personally just don’t know a lot of men who wear necklaces. Which leads me to the conclusion that the speaker is in fact wearing her girlfriend’s necklace. 

“Remember when we couldn’t take the heat?/I walked out, I said “I’m setting you free”/But the monsters turned out to be just trees/When the sun came up you were looking at me”

Do you remember that time we were hiding our relationship from the public and being closeted was just too much to handle so I left? But I didn’t actually leave, I stayed with you, because the monsters (aka the homophobes) turned out to be just trees (something that can’t hurt you). 

7. How You Get The Girl

I don’t even need to quote a single lyric from this song considering the title of the song is literally “How You Get The Girl.” Ms. Swift wrote an entire song discussing a step by step process of how to get a girl back. Gay. 

8. Seven

A darling, yet melancholy song about childhood friendship, one of my favorite lines being; “And I think you should come live with/Me and we can be pirates/Then you won’t have to cry/Or hide in the closet.” 

Every gay I know has a dream to run away from society to live with their lover and be free. This line is no exception. 

9. Betty

This song, written from James’ point of view in a love triangle, is supposedly written from a man’s perspective. It is interesting that Taylor had to say this. I think it was slightly blown out of proportion; that is the seriousness of her saying that. However, Taylor is an artist, and should be able to write about whatever she wants. I don’t think it was necessary for her to go out of her way to say it, but then again maybe she didn’t, and the fans heard that tidbit of information and ran with it. 

“Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard/When I passed your house/It’s like I couldn’t breathe”

I’m just gonna put it out there, that if I had a crush on a girl and walked by her house, this is exactly how I would feel. Maybe I’m a bit too gay to say this, but there is no way I would walk by a man’s house and feel all that. 

10. Tolerate it

It is known in the Swiftie world that Track 5’s are the saddest track, and this is arguably the saddest one of them all. 

I will admit, this one could have a heterosexual explanation, one that is still extremely valid and heartbreaking. That explanation being about a person in a relationship where their partner doesn’t reciprocate their love. However, going on the gay route, as I usually do, makes this song ten times sadder. The alternative analysis being that the speaker in the song came out, only to be met with tolerance of their love, and not support from loved ones.

The speaker in this song watches a parental figure, observing them reading a book, while they put their best foot forward, only to be met with disdain. The speaker says, “If it’s all in my head, tell me now/Tell me I’ve got it wrong somehow/I know my love should be celebrated/But you tolerate it…” 

The speaker wants to know if what they’re feeling is truly homophobia, or if they’re being sensitive to other emotions that have nothing to do with their queerness. 

They know their love should be celebrated, but this person in their life treats them with such tolerance and cannot accept them for who they are. Queer love is beautiful, yet is is often times only tolerated. 

11. The Very First Night

A classic gaylor song, mostly due to the fact that the word “you” in the following lines messes up a rhyme scheme going on, one where the word “her” would fit much better. 

“Didn’t read the note on the Polaroid picture/They don’t know how much I miss you”

Pic-ture…her? Listen, I know I haven’t gotten my English degree yet, but those words seem to rhyme pretty well. 

“No one knows about the words that we whispered/No one knows how much I miss you”

Whispered. Miss her. I hear the rhyme. Do you? 

12. Dress

“Our secret moments in your crowded room/They’ve got no idea about me and you” 

Sounds like a good old fashioned case of hiding your queer relationship to me. 

“All of this silence and patience, pining in anticipation”

Ask any gay person you want, they’ve 100% pined over a love intertest. 

“I don’t want you like a best friend”

I don’ t make the rules, I just follow them. Falling in love with your best friend is gay culture. I did it. You’ve probably done it. 

13. Enchanted 

I had a lot of options to choose from to be song number thirteen, and ended up with Enchanted, due to the following line; “Your eyes whispered, “Have we met?”/’Cross the room your silhouette/Starts to make its way to me…” 

As an artist, sometimes you choose words that fit the vibe, fit the tone of the piece. In this case, it is possible that ‘silhouette’ could have been used in that way. However, I’ve never described a man as having a silhouette…

This song is also just incredibly sweet and gentle in the way the speaker wishes to be in love. Reminds me of how I feel about my own relationship…which is gay…

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