Taylor Swift, one of the most influential pop artists of the 21st century, has released her new track “Actually Romantic” from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.
Fans and critics alike are dissecting the lyrics, suggesting that the song may be a playful jab at fellow pop star Charli XCX.
While the track maintains Swift’s signature blend of wit and personal storytelling, the lyrical nuances have sparked widespread online discussions.
Actually Romantic Song Lyrics
In Actually Romantic, Swift sings lines that appear to reference Charli XCX’s 2024 song Sympathy Is a Knife. Phrases such as “You just give me so much attention” and mentions of being called “Boring Barbie” suggest Swift is responding to perceived criticisms or playful digs from her peer.
Fans note that the tone of the lyrics is sarcastic yet clever, a style Swift has employed in past songs like Bad Blood and Look What You Made Me Do.
The song also references public scrutiny and obsessive attention, framing negative remarks as a form of twisted admiration. Lines like “No man has ever loved me like you do” indicate that the attention, even when critical, is acknowledged as significant.
This approach exemplifies Swift’s ability to turn personal narratives and real-life interactions into compelling pop music storytelling.
Taylor Swift and Charli XCX
Taylor Swift and Charli XCX have a shared history in the music industry. Charli XCX opened for Swift’s 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour, and the two have collaborated on previous projects.