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The Tortured Poets Department Lyrics

Lyricist: Taylor Swift

41 views • Published on Jul 31, 2026

The Tortured Poets Department Lyrics

[Verse 1] You left your typewriter at my apartment Straight from the tortured poets department I think some things I never say Like, "Who uses typewriters anyway?" But you're in self-sabotage mode Throwing spikes down on the road But I've seen this episode and still loved the show Who else decodes you? [Chorus] And who's gonna hold you like me? And who's gonna know you, if not me? I laughed in your face and said "You're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith This ain't the Chelsea Hotel, we'rе modern idiots" And who's gonna hold you like me? [Post-Chorus] Nobody No-fucking-body Nobody [Verse 2] You smokеd, then ate seven bars of chocolate We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist I scratch your head, you fall asleep Like a tattooed golden retriever But you awaken with dread Pounding nails in your head But I've read this one where you come undone I chose this cyclone with you You might also like Father Figure Taylor Swift Eldest Daughter Taylor Swift Wood Taylor Swift [Chorus] And who's gonna hold you like me? (Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you?) And who's gonna know you like me? (Who's gonna know you?) I laughed in your face and said "You're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith This ain't the Chelsea Hotel, we're modern idiots" And who's gonna hold you like me? (Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you?) [Post-Chorus] No-fucking-body (Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you?) Nobody (Who's gonna hold you? Gonna know you? Gonna troll you?) Nobody [Bridge] Sometimes, I wonder if you're gonna screw this up with me But you told Lucy you'd kill yourself if I ever leave And I had said that to Jack about you, so I felt seen Everyone we know understands why it's meant to be 'Cause we're crazy So tell me, who else is gonna know me? At dinner, you take my ring off my middle finger And put it on the one people put wedding rings on And that's the closest I've come to my heart exploding [Chorus] Who's gonna hold you? (Who?) Me Who's gonna know you? (Who?) Me And you're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith This ain't the Chelsea Hotel, we're two idiots Who's gonna hold you? [Post-Chorus] Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you? Gonna know you? Gonna troll you? [Outro] You left your typewriter at my apartment Straight from the tortured poets department Who else decodes you?

Meaning of The Tortured Poets Department

The song explores a complex and potentially destructive romantic relationship characterized by intense emotional vulnerability, self-sabotage, and a desperate need for connection. Taylor Swift reflects on the dynamic with an unreliable partner, highlighting their cyclical patterns of pain and affection, referencing literary figures (Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith) as metaphors for the difficulty in understanding them. The recurring question ‘Who’s gonna hold you?’ suggests a yearning for stability and someone to truly know and care for this troubled person, even if the relationship is ultimately fraught with problems.

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taylor swiftthe tortured poets departmentpop musiclyric analysisrelationship songheartbreakalternative musicsongwriting

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