Current:Home > reviews'The Black Dog' in Taylor Swift song is a real bar in London -Secure Horizon Growth
'The Black Dog' in Taylor Swift song is a real bar in London
View
Date:2025-04-17 12:53:21
At 2 a.m. Friday, Taylor Swift dropped 15 extra songs in what she called a "surprise double album."
"The Black Dog" stands out from the pack on "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology."
A "black dog" is a term referring to feelings of depression, great sadness and lack of energy, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. In English literature and folklore, a black dog was a demonic hellhound that served as an omen of death.
In this instance, Swift refers to a bar, the "Black Dog" that she notices her ex going to one night. He has forgotten to stop sharing his location. Something so trivial invokes incredible sadness and thoughts of comparison, maybe jealousy. Swift writes an invented narrative that the ex is meeting a new girl who won't understand the starting line of a song because she's too young. Part of the lyrics are, "I move through the world with a heart broken. My longings stay unspoken, and I may never open up the way I did for you."
The Black Dog is a London pub located at: 112 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5ER, United Kingdom.
The tender whimper on the last note captures perfectly the pangs of saying goodbye to a relationship.
'Tortured Poets' release live updatesWhat to know as Taylor Swift's new album debuts
'The Tortured Poets Department'
If you didn't get the memo from the department's Chairman, "Tortured Poets" is Swift's 11th era album with 16 tracks and four bonus songs (four versions of the album each have a different bonus track).
Swift announced the project at the Grammys, when she won her 13th career Grammy for pop album of the year. Post Malone and Florence and The Machine are two contributors on the pop album.
Its track titles are brutal. Fans speculated the album was about Swift’s six-year relationship with English actor Joe Alwyn and their breakup. Both stars kept the relationship out of the public eye. The back of the first version of the album reads, “I love you, it’s ruining me,” serving as a dagger-to-the-chest harbinger.
The album was released during Swift's two-month break from her massively popular and economically fruitful Eras Tour. "Tortured Poets" serves as an exclamation point to the behemoth success the billionaire has seen over the past year since the three-plus-hour show launched in Glendale, Arizona. Swift will return to the stage in Paris, France, on May 9. Fans anticipate that her newest era will be added to the show.
Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter "This Swift Beat."
Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
veryGood! (51)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- 'Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro returns to TV with two new shows, update on injured hand
- Yellen says her talks with Chinese finance chief laid groundwork for Biden’s meeting with Xi
- ‘Nope’ star Keke Palmer alleges physical abuse by ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson, court documents say
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Growing concerns from allies over Israel’s approach to fighting Hamas as civilian casualties mount
- Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt.
- Keke Palmer Details Alleged Domestic and Emotional Abuse by Ex Darius Jackson
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- NFL MVP surprise? Tyreek Hill could pull unique feat – but don't count on him outracing QBs
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Shania Twain Speaks Out After Very Scary Tour Bus Crash
- Why Hunger Games Prequel Star Hunter Schafer Wants to Have a Drink With Jennifer Lawrence
- State Department rushes to respond to internal outcry over Israel-Hamas war
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Forever Chemicals’ Toxic Legacy at Chicago’s Airports
- NFL MVP surprise? Tyreek Hill could pull unique feat – but don't count on him outracing QBs
- Is it OK to say 'Happy Veterans Day'? Veterans share best way to honor them
Recommendation
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Myanmar military court sentences general ousted from ruling council to 5 years for corruption
Durham District Attorney Deberry’s entry shakes up Democratic primary race for attorney general
Watch livestream of 2024 Grammy nominations: Artists up to win in 'Music's Biggest Night'
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
The man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband was caught up in conspiracies, defense says
Worried Chinese shoppers scrimp, dimming the appeal of a Singles’ Day shopping extravaganza
'Special talent': Kyler Murray's Cardinals teammates excited to have him back vs. Falcons