These days, it seems like everyone is so chronically online that there’s no predicting what the next internet meme will be. Swift would surely be surprised to see what everyone is using her song for. However, as the biggest artist in the world, she can’t always control how her songs will inspire the world.
The Tortured Poets Department Is At The Center Of A Social Media Meme
Swift’s Title Track Has Ended Up In An Unusual Place
In recent weeks, the internet has been flooded with “brain rot” language based on recent trends, like Labubus, Benson Boone, Crumbl Cookies, and Dubai Chocolate. Now, Taylor Swift has gotten dragged into the trend, as social media users are replacing lyrics from the title track of The Tortured Poets Department.
Swift’s famous opening line, “You left your typewriter at my apartment / Straight from the tortured poets department,” has been switched out to “you left your labubu at my apartment straight from the dubai chocolate department.” User @idkwahatimdoing then adds their own spin on other lyrics, like switching out Charlie Puth for Benson Boone.
One of the most popular posts on X (formerly Twitter) has over 4,000 reposts, but it’s hard to pinpoint the trend’s origin. The trend also made its way to Instagram, with one account even sharing an acoustic cover of their own version of the song. It’s strange that of all Swift’s definitive songs, “The Tortured Poets Department” would become a trend.
The song was never one of the singles off TTPD, and didn’t even make it onto the TTPD set at the revamped Eras Tour. However, it did debut at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 during Swift’s TTPD Top 10 takeover. Swift is also such a massively famous artist that even her non-singles and deep cuts are pretty well known.
The song also had a quick viral moment when TTPD leaked right before its release, and some non-Swifties were making fun of the lyrics. Luckily, when the full song was released, their opinions changed. The song also just so happens to fit really well with all the social media brainrot language.
Why This Is Actually Good News For Swift
TTPD May Gain Popularit
It will likely increase the popularity of the track and potentially even get her another #1 song.
Sometimes songs from decades ago, like Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby,” go viral and find a new generation of fans. This has been the case with songs like Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder On The Dancefloor” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Silver Springs.”
While there have been rumors that Swift is getting ready to release her 12th studio album, she might find herself caught in the TTPD era a little longer. If the trend continues, it will likely increase the popularity of the track and potentially even get her another #1 song.
In 2023, Swift’s track “Cruel Summer” went #1 after four years of being out in the world. It’s not unusual, especially with an artist of Taylor Swift‘s caliber.
