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Prince George & Princess Charlotte Get Their Own Christmas Trees, Kate Middleton's Mom Reveals
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Prince George & Princess Charlotte Get Their Own Christmas Trees, Kate Middleton's Mom Reveals

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A Complete Timeline Of Taylor Swift's Boyfriends, And The Songs She's Written About Them

We've done the research - by Grace Back
  • 16 Dec 2019
A Complete Timeline Of Taylor Swift's Boyfriends, And The Songs She's Written About Them

For years while we've been belting out Taylor Swift's eerily-similar-to-our-own-life breakup anthems to get over the average Joe's we've dated, the country crooner turned pop star has successfully dated a slew of Hollywood heartthrobs. The 'Reputation' singer has been linked to musicians and movie stars alike and has a penchant for memorialising her fallen relationships in lyrical form. From Jake Gyllenhaal to John Mayer, see every lucky guy who has dated Taylor since she came into the spotlight following her debut album Fearless. 

Here's a look, in order, of all the men Taylor has dated, and which of her songs are about the romance. 

RELATED: Taylor Swift's Best Ever Looks

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Joe Jonas (2008)

Taylor dated the former Jonas Brother and now lead frontman of DNCE from July 2008 to October 2008. This was Taylor's first public breakup, and possibly most brutal being that Joe decided to do the heartbreaking over a 27-second phone call. The country crooner's songs 'Last Kiss' and 'Forever and Always' is believed to have been written about her breakup with Jonas, while 'Holy Ground' is a later, more positive perspective on the short-lived romance. 

Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008

Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008

Lucas Till (2009)

Taylor and Hollywood heartthrob Lucas Till dated for only a matter of months in 2009, after Lucas played the next-door neighbour in Taylor's 'You Belong With Me' music video. Lucas later spoke out about the two's brief attempt at dating, stating that at the end of the day, they were better as friends. "We dated for a little bit. But, there was no friction because we were too nice," he told MTV. "We just really both liked each other…[but] most relationships work out cause you get along and then you don't, and then you make up and it's passionate, and with us, I really just liked her as a friend. That’s the only reason that didn't work out."

lucas till

Lucas Till and Taylor Swift on set of the 'Hannah Montana Movie' 2009

Taylor Lautner (2009) 

Who could forget the Taylor/Taylor romance of 2009? The two met when they co-starred as high school sweethearts in the romantic comedy Valentine's Day. Taylor's song 'Back To December' - where she sings "Your tanned skin, your sweet smile", on top of an apology for a rough night in December - is about ex Lautner, and the night she dumped him. 

Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner sighting at the Alice+Olivia Boutique on Robertson Blvd. on October 28, 2009

Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner sighting at the Alice+Olivia Boutique on Robertson Blvd. on October 28, 2009

John Mayer (2009) 

Possibly Taylor's most remembered boyfriend due to her very sad, but very poetic, breakup song 'Dear John.' The lyrics "I see it all now that you're gone" suggest that Mayer initiated the breakup, possibly due to the couple's 15 year age gap."There are things that were little nuances of the relationship, little hints," Taylor later revealed. "Everyone will know, so I don't really have to send out emails on this one."

"It made me feel terrible because I didn't deserve it," Mayer told Rolling Stone in a 2012 interview. "I'm pretty good at taking accountability now, and I never did anything to deserve that. It was a really lousy thing for her to do." Later, Mayer responded musically with his song 'Paper Dolls' on his 2013 album Paradise Valley. "Don't you think I was too young to be messed with? The girl in the dress, cried the whole way home, I should've known," he sings. 

John Mayer (L) and Taylor Swift attend the launch of VEVO, December 2009

John Mayer (L) and Taylor Swift attend the launch of VEVO, December 2009

Cory Monteith (2010)

Though Taylor and the Glee star never officially confirmed they were dating, the two were photographed together on many occasions. Taylor also clearly blushed when asked if the two had dated on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. On the day of Cory's tragic death in July 2013, Taylor tweeted: "Speechless. And for the worst reason."

RELATED: Cory Monteith Documentary Will Answer One Of The Biggest Questions Around His Death

Cory Monteith and singer Taylor Swift attend the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards

Cory Monteith and singer Taylor Swift attend the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, January 2010

Jake Gyllenhaal (2010-2011) 

One of Taylor's most public relationships, the couple were regularly seen out in New York City and Los Angeles. Rumour has it the couple's 10-year age gap just wasn't working so Jake called it quits. 'The Last Time' with lyrics "Put my name at the top of your list" is said to be about this romance.

'All Too Well' which documents the infamous scarf situation, is also about Gyllenhaal. This song references a number of details specific to their relationship, including a car trip to upstate New York and a Thanksgiving dinner at Maggie Gyllenhaal’s house. In the first verse, Swift makes this fascinating claim: "Left my scarf there at your sister's house. And you've still got it in your drawer even now" to the dramatic end "Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone, But you keep my old scarf from that very first week ‘Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me." Gyllenhaal has been photographed in years since wearing Taylor's scarf, much to the amusement and confusion of Swift fans. 

RELATED: Jake Gyllenhaal Has Finally Answered A Question About Taylor Swift

Jake Gyllenhaal attends Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of 'Velvet Buzzsaw' at American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre on January 28, 2019

Jake Gyllenhaal attends Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of 'Velvet Buzzsaw' at American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre on January 28, 2019

Adam Young (2011)

Owl City's Adam Young never officially dated Taylor, with things never escalating past some emails and one face-to-face meeting. Taylor was so excited to meet Young that she later wrote the song 'Enchanted' about him. She sings: "All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you". Young later released a cover version of Taylor's song 'Enchanted' on Valentine's Day when he realised the song was about him. 

dam Young of Owl City attends Power 96.1's Jingle Ball 2012 at the Philips Arena on December 12, 2012

Adam Young of Owl City attends Power 96.1's Jingle Ball 2012 at the Philips Arena on December 12, 2012

Chord Overstreet (2011)

Taylor and Chord reportedly only went on one date, but there are pictures from the event so naturally, he makes the list. 

Chord Overstreet and Taylor Swift watch as the Minnesota Wild face the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on February 24, 2011

Eddie Redmayne (2011-2012)

It is rumoured that Taylor and Eddie started dating when she auditioned for the part of Eponine in Les Miserables. They were seen together a lot in New York while the auditions were taking place. Unfortunately, Eddie's captivating green eyes and freckles didn't make enough of an impact to earn a tribute track. 

Eddie Redmayne attends the UK Film Premiere of 'The Danish Girl' on December 8, 2015

Eddie Redmayne attends the UK Film Premiere of 'The Danish Girl' on December 8, 2015

Zac Efron (2012) 

Once Disney's High School Musical teenage stud, Zac has been making our hearts skip for years prior to his run-in with Tay. The two reportedly started dating for a few months while promoting their movie The Lorax. However, the two have both denied the relationship. The pair even went as far as to write a song together rejecting the dating rumours through a parody of Foster the People's 'Pumped Up Kicks' on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. We can still dream though. 

Taylor Swift and actor Zac Efron attend the 2012 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on July 22, 2012

Taylor Swift and actor Zac Efron attend the 2012 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on July 22, 2012

Conor Kennedy (2012)

Taylor dated Robert F. Kennedy's grandson Conor Kennedy during the summer of 2012. She did receive some criticism for the age difference in the relationship, being that she was 22 and Conor was 18. Taylor even purchased a home near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, during the romance. It started to look like things between Taylor and Conor weren't going so well when his family accused the singer of crashing the wedding of Conor's cousin Kyle in August. Her reps denied it, but it appeared the damage had been done.

'Begin Again' has been linked to Conor, especially the lyric "I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did." 

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Taylor Swift and Conor Kennedy walking in Massachusetts in December, 2012

Harry Styles (2012-2013)

One of Taylor's most divisive relationships to date. The couple, despite only dating for a month, shared paper aeroplane necklaces, strolled through Central Park, kissed in Times Square on New Year's Eve and even got in a snowmobile accident. 'I Knew You Were Trouble' is about the One Direction heartthrob. Taylor's album 1989 is also filled with subtle references to Harry, especially 'Out Of The Woods' with its lyrical references to their December romance and the accident, and 'Style' which is fairly self-explanatory. 

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles are seen walking around Central Park on December 02, 2012 in New York City

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles are seen walking around Central Park on December 02, 2012 in New York City

Calvin Harris (2015-2016)

Taylor and Harris shared a fairly long romance and was her most well-documented. The couple would regularly appear on red carpets together and post images to their social media pages. Multiple reports claim that it was Calvin who wanted to break up. While neither have ever commented on it, Taylor's hit 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together' was presumed to be about Calvin. However, many Swift fans remain confident this is about Gyllenhaal. 

Taylor Swift (L) and Calvin Harris attend the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015

Taylor Swift (L) and Calvin Harris attend the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015

Tom Hiddleston (2016)

Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift, better known as Hiddleswift, was the love story that shocked the globe. The couple met in New York and then took their romance on the road (Rhode Island, Italy, Australia, and England to name a few stops). But sadly, all good things must come to an end. Just two months after Hiddleston was photographed in an 'I Heart T.S.' t-shirt, the couple would call it quits. 

Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are seen at LAX on July 06, 2016 in Los Angeles, California

Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are seen at LAX on July 06, 2016 in Los Angeles, California

Joe Alwyn (2017-Now) 

Fast forward to 2019, and Taylor and current beau Alwyn have been happily dating for over two years. The couple has done a very good job of keeping their relationship shrouded in mystery. Taylor and Joe were first photographed in 2017, enjoying a coffee on a balcony in Nashville. One song '...Ready for It?' has fans divided over whether it's about Joe or her former love interest Harry Styles. But, according to Buzzfeed, Taylor reportedly liked a Tumblr post breaking down the lyrics, with all signs pointing to them being about Joe. Taylor's song 'Gorgeous' is definitely about Joe, with lyrics "You make me so happy, it turns back to sad." 

RELATED: Joe Alwyn Opens Up About His Private Relationship Taylor Swift For The First Time

taylor

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn seen attending the Vogue BAFTA party at Annabel's club in Mayfair on February 10, 2019 in London

WATCH: Taylor Swifts Reputation Tour Hits Netflix. 

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Grace Back
Grace Back
Grace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.

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