Every Musician Taylor Swift Has Name Dropped (Or Hinted At) In Her Songs
Taylor Swift’s illustrious career has been marked not only by her evolution as an artist but also by her collaborations and lyrical nods to fellow musicians. Since her debut, Swift has seamlessly woven references to other artists into her songs, showcasing her admiration for them and her influences. Her first collaboration came in 2008 with Colbie Caillat on the emotional track “Breathe” from her second studio album, *Fearless*. This marked the beginning of a series of collaborations that would see Swift teaming up with a diverse range of artists, including Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana Del Rey, each bringing their unique flair to her music. These collaborations reflect Swift’s versatility and her ability to blend different genres, which has played a significant role in her sustained popularity over the years.
Swift’s lyrical references to musicians date back to her very first single, “Tim McGraw,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2006. The lyric “When you think Tim McGraw, I hope you think my favorite song” not only introduced Swift to the country music scene but also highlighted her personal connection to McGraw’s music during her teenage years. This song set the tone for her career, as she continued to name-drop artists in her lyrics, often using these references to convey deeper emotions and narratives. For instance, her song “Dear John” features an infamous mention that fans speculate is about John Mayer, while “Style” includes a reference to the iconic James Dean, showcasing her knack for embedding cultural references that resonate with her audience. Billboard recently revisited Swift’s musician name drops, emphasizing their chronological order and the impact they have had on her storytelling.
As Swift continues to evolve as an artist, her ability to collaborate and reference other musicians remains a defining characteristic of her work. With each album, she not only pays homage to those who inspired her but also creates a rich tapestry of connections within the music industry. From heartfelt collaborations to clever name drops, Taylor Swift’s lyrical journey reflects her growth as an artist and her deep appreciation for the music that has shaped her life and career. As fans eagerly anticipate her future projects, it’s clear that her love for music and the artists behind it will continue to play a significant role in her songwriting.
Taylor Swift has been collaborating with musicians for almost her entire career — but her lyrical references to musicians date back even further.
“Bubbly” singer Colbie Caillat was the first artist Swift tapped for a feature, joining her on “Breathe” from her second studio album,
Fearless
, in 2008. Since then, artists across genres, including Ed Sheeran, The Chicks, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Bon Iver and Sabrina Carpenter, have joined the pop superstar for a verse or two.
On the other hand, Swift’s first mention of a musician was on her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” which became her first Billboard Hot 100 hit when it debuted on the chart dated Sept. 23, 2006. “When you think Tim McGraw/ I hope you think my favorite song” was the lyric that took the country world by storm, introducing a then-17-year-old Swift to the music scene in Nashville. Swift was massive fan of McGraw at the time, and his music captured the high school relationship she wrote about in her freshman math class.
“Tim McGraw” was just the beginning. Swift has since name-dropped a number of famous faces in lyrics across her 12 studio albums. “Dear John” probably includes her most infamous namedrop (albeit, never confirmed to be about John Mayer, but widely speculated). “Style” includes her most popular name drop (“You’ve got that James Dean, daydream look in your eye”). And
The Tortured Poets Department
album probably contains the most name drops across a handful of different songs.
Below, however, Billboard revisits only Swift’s musician name drops — whether direct or indirect — in chronological order. Check them out:
