‘So High School’ lyrics: Does Taylor Swift reference a 2016 Travis Kelce interview? (2024)

Taylor Swift said “all is fair in love and poetry” when releasing “The Tortured Poets Department,” and the album’s 22nd track, “So High School,” certainly leans into the love part.

While so much of “Tortured Poets” is about heartbreak, “So High School” examines that giggly, adolescent kind of romance, transporting back to feeling like you’re 16 again.

The song has several references to staples of youth, like “I’m watching ‘American Pie’ with you on a Saturday night” and “Truth, dare, spin bottles” and “Touch me while your bros play ‘Grand Theft Auto.’”

Revisit our live coverage of the release of “The Tortured Poets Department.”

She also references a common teenage game, "marry, kiss or kill," a PG-version of the more explicit, "f---, marry, kill."

While the game fits with the overall theme of the song, some Swifties immediately connected the dots between the lyric and her current beau, Travis Kelce.

After their relationship made headlines, a 2016 interview with Kelce, tied to his reality show "Catching Kelce," resurfaced.

In the video posted by AfterBuzz TV, Kelce was asked to play "kill, marry, kiss," with the first three options being Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift or Katy Perry.

After some initial hesitation, the interviewer told him, "It's just a game."

"Just a game?... Ariana is kill, unfortunately... Taylor Swift would be the kiss... Katy Perry would be the marry," he answered.

If the reference is indeed pointed at Kelce, it makes her new lyrics all the more adorable: "It’s just a game but really / I’m bettin’ on all three for us two."

Read all the lyrics to “So High School” here:

I feel so high school

Every time I look at you

I want to find you in a crowd

Just to hide from you

And in the blink of a crinklin' eye

I'm sinkin', our fingers entwined

Cheeks pink in the twinklin' lights

Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me

I'll drink what you think and I'm high

from smokin' your jokes all damn night

The brink of a wrinkle in time

Bittersweet 16 suddenly

I'm watching 'American Pie' with you on a Saturday night

Your friends are around, so be quiet

I'm trying to stifle my sighs

'Cause I feel so high school

Every time I look at you

But look at you

Are you gonna marry, kiss or kill me?

It's just a game but really

I'm bettin' on all three for us two

Get my car door, isn't that sweet

Then pull me to the backseat

No one's ever had me, not like you

Truth, dare, spin bottles

You know how to ball, I know Aristotle

Brand new, full throttle

Touch me while your bros play 'Grand Theft Auto'

It's true, swear, scouts honor

You knew what you wanted, and boy, you got her

Brande new, full throttle

You already know, babe

I feel like laughin'

In the middle of practice

Do that impression you did of your dad again

I'm hearin' voices like a madman

And in the blink of a crinklin' eye

I'm sinkin', our fingers entwined

Cheeks pink in the twinklin' lights

Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me

I'll drink what you think and I'm high

From smokin' your jokes all damn night

The brink of a wrinkle in time

Bittersweet 16 suddenly

I'm watching 'American Pie' with you on a Saturday night

Your friends are around so be quiet

I'm tryin' to stifle my sighs

'Cause I feel so high school

Every time I look at you

But look at you

Truth, dare, spin bottles

You know how to ball, I know Aristotle

Brand new, full throttle

Touch me while your bros play 'Grand Theft Auto'

It's true, swear, scouts honor

You know what you wanted and boy, you got her

Brand new, full throttle

You already know, babe

You already know, babe

More ‘Tortured Poets’ lyrics analysis

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Bryanna Cappadona

Bryanna Cappadona is a managing editor for TODAY based in New York City, writing about books, reality TV and anything Taylor Swift.

‘So High School’ lyrics: Does Taylor Swift reference a 2016 Travis Kelce interview? (2024)

FAQs

How did Taylor Swift meet Kelce? ›

The couple first met after Kelce said on his New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason, at the end of July that when he was at her concert at Arrowhead Stadium in early July he made a friendship bracelet with his number on it and that he wanted to meet her.

How much is Travis Kelce worth? ›

Q: What is Travis Kelce's net worth? A: As of 2024, Travis Kelce's estimated net worth is around $30 million. His wealth primarily comes from his football career and related endorsem*nts.

How long were Taylor and Travis together? ›

Swift and Travis Kelce have been dating since at least September 2023, when the "Anti-Hero" singer first popped up at a Kansas City Chiefs game to cheer on the tight end. The appearance broke the internet and came after months of dating rumors.

Which songs did Joe Alwyn help Taylor Swift write? ›

Alwyn, 33, cowrote six songs during his longtime relationship with Swift, 34, under the pseudonym William Bowery: “Exile” and “Betty” from 2020's Folklore, “Champagne Problems,” “Evermore” and “Coney Island” from its sister album, Evermore, and “Sweet Nothing” from 2022's Midnights.

What did Travis Kelce say to Taylor Swift after the game? ›

After a kiss, Kelce thanks Swift for being there to watch the game after she traveled from her Eras Tour concert in Tokyo just the day before. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. "Thank you for coming, baby," Kelce said, as Swift said, "Oh, I cannot believe that."

Are Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift friends? ›

That means Travis started courting the singer either at the end of August or the very beginning of September 2023. “I love it when Taylor comes and supports me and enjoys the game with the fam and friends,” Kelce told McAFee. “It's been nothing but a wonderful year, man.”

Who is Taylor no longer friends with? ›

The most obvious recent dismissal from the Squad, however, is Olivia Rodrigo. Swift became fast friends with the teen pop star during her rise in 2021, but their relationship apparently cooled during the Grammys last year over songwriting credits on Rodrigo's debut album.

Does Taylor Swift's cat make more than Travis Kelce? ›

On top of that, the site estimated Olivia's net worth as $97 million, which surpasses that of Swift's boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (USA Today reported Kelce has amassed a paltry $40 million).

Is Taylor Swift a billionaire? ›

Taylor Swift has yet another milestone to add to her endless list of accomplishments — she's now officially a billionaire. The superstar was included on Forbes World's Billionaires List published this week, and Swift amassed an estimated $1.1 billion fortune this year, according to the publication.

How rich is Brittany Mahomes? ›

With an estimated net worth of $10 million at the age of 28, Brittany's financial success reflects her individual achievements and prowess.

Who is Travis Kelce's ex? ›

Before Travis Kelce struck up a high profile romance with singer Taylor Swift, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was in a relationship with content creator Kayla Nicole. Nicole and Kelce starting dating in 2017. The tight end then revealing in a 2023 interview with The Pivot that the two had split.

Does Travis Kelce have a bro? ›

Kelce was born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio. His father, Ed Kelce, is a sales representative in the steel industry, and his mother, Donna, is a former bank executive. Kelce's older brother Jason played center for the Philadelphia Eagles for 13 seasons.

Who else does Taylor Swift write songs for? ›

Just look at her Era's setlist for example. In fact, she's so good at writing music, she's even done it for other artists including Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. That's not to mention her co-writing talents with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder, Justin Vernon and many, many more.

Did Taylor Swift write a song about Kanye? ›

Swift was inspired to write "Innocent" by Kanye West's interruption of her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift wrote all tracks on her third studio album Speak Now (2010), by herself.

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