Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, is finally out. And true to the pop icon’s style, each song reflects a piece of her life—including the track “Ruin the Friendship,” which many believe is about Blake Lively.
Swift and Lively were once the best of friends, but their relationship was reportedly strained after the name of Travis Kelce’s fiancée surfaced in Lively’s legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.
So, what does Swift’s controversial new song really mean, and is it truly about Lively?
What Does Taylor Swift’s “Ruin the Friendship” Mean?
Based on the title “Ruin the Friendship,” many quickly assumed that track No. 6 on The Life of a Showgirl is about Swift’s alleged troubled bond with Lively.
However, if you listen closely to the lyrics, it’s clear that isn’t the case. “Ruin the Friendship” tells the story of Swift’s high school self having a crush on a boy who already had a girlfriend—similar to the theme of “You Belong with Me” from her 2008 album Fearless.
In the song, Swift reveals that her feelings were unrequited, singing: “Your smile, miles wide / And it was not an invitation / Should’ve kissed you anyway.”
Though the boy seems to have a crush on her too, Swift suggests there are too many obstacles between them:
“And it was not convenient, no / But your girlfriend was away / Should’ve kissed you anyway.”
She paints a vivid picture of youthful longing, describing a fleeting moment at a dance: “Wilted corsage dangles from my wrist / Over his shoulder I catch a glimpse / And see … you looking at me / And it was not an invitation.”
So, where does the idea of “ruin the friendship” come in? It’s when she admits she would never want to hurt the boy’s ex because “lately we’ve been good.”
As she continues: “Staying friends is safe / Doesn’t mean you should …”
Here, Swift seems to be convincing herself not to cross a line, even though the temptation lingers.
Where Does Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s Relationship Stand Today?
Swift and Lively’s relationship began when Ryan Reynolds’ wife shared a photo from a L’Oréal campaign that referenced Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video in the caption.
They later met in Australia for a day out, and there, a beautiful friendship blossomed. Since then, they were often seen together—sharing photos on social media, supporting each other at major events, and attending each other’s parties.
However, things reportedly changed when news emerged that their friendship had ended amid Lively’s high-profile legal battle with Baldoni.
A source told People that the two are no longer on “speaking terms” after Swift’s name appeared multiple times in Lively’s legal dispute with Baldoni—first when the actor’s legal team alleged that Swift pressured him to accept Lively’s rewrites on the movie, and later when a subpoena was reportedly issued to her.
But while many think that “Ruin the Friendship” is about Lively, it’s clearly not.
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