NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Entertainment

Taylor Swift: The ex-files (+playlist)

By Rachel Bache
Herald online·
28 Nov, 2013 10:00 PM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Taylor Swift may not be lucky in love, but at least she's written some great breakup songs. Photo / AP

Taylor Swift may not be lucky in love, but at least she's written some great breakup songs. Photo / AP

There's no denying Taylor Swift is a busy and talented lady. This week she added four American Music Awards to her swag of accolades and now she's New Zealand bound - set to play three sold-out shows at Auckland's Vector Arena this weekend.

Yet, somehow the star still finds time to be swept off her feet by famous faces (Jake Gyllenhaal, John Mayer, Harry Styles among them) and then, of course, write songs about their breakups. It's gotten to the point where it's hard to know exactly who she's singing about, so we've taken a look into Swifty's romantic past to see what we can match up.

Joe Jonas (center) of the Jonas Brothers recorded a reply track to Taylor Swift's 'Forever and Always'. Photo / AP
Joe Jonas (center) of the Jonas Brothers recorded a reply track to Taylor Swift's 'Forever and Always'. Photo / AP

Joe Jonas

I wonder if Swift ever regrets her love-life over-share on Ellen back in 2008, where she revealed her song Forever and Always, from the album Fearless, was a sarcastic jab at teen star Joe Jonas. This is what sparked the world's obsession with sussing out who Taylor is singing about.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

However that hasn't stopped the songstress from spilling her heart out over boys and breakups. In fact, Swift went on to write a few more songs about her Jo-Bro Ex: Last Kiss & Holy Ground. Joe Jonas didn't take Swift's slams lying down either, he hit back with 2009's Much Better, singing "Now I'm done with super stars/And all the tears on her guitar/I'm not bitter".

Taylor Lautner

Taylor + Taylor = Heartbreak. It wasn't long until the Twilight star was spotted at Swift's shows and being papped on dates together after meeting on the set of Valentine's Day. Unfortunately things didn't end well and after their split Swift wrote Back To December as a kind of apology song. Lyrics like "I miss your tan skin/your sweet smile" hint the song was for Lautner.

Taylor Swift apologised to actor ex, Taylor Lautner in 'Back to December'.
Taylor Swift apologised to actor ex, Taylor Lautner in 'Back to December'.

Adam Young (Owl City)

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It's rumoured the song Enchanted was inspired by Swift's brief romance with Adam Young (Owl City). In response, Young recorded his own version of the song for Valentine's Day in 2011, singing "Oh Taylor I was so Enchanted to meet you too". Along with this, he penned the pop princess a love letter on his website:

Adam Young aka Owl City recorded his own version of Taylor Swift's 'Enchanted'.
Adam Young aka Owl City recorded his own version of Taylor Swift's 'Enchanted'.

Dearest Taylor,

I'll be the first to admit I'm a rather shy boy and since music is the most eloquent form of communication I can muster, I decided to record something for you - as sort of a "reply" to the breathtaking song on your current record. This is what I wanted so badly to tell you in person but could never quite put into words:

Everything about you is beautiful. You're an immensely charming girl with a wonderful heart and more grace and elegance than I know how to describe. You are a true princess from a dreamy fairy tale; a modern Cinderella. I'm terribly sorry it's taken me such a long time to reply but I figured Valentine's Day was the perfect time to write this note to you and simply say... I was enchanted to meet you too.

Discover more

Entertainment

Eminem, Swift top weird YouTube Music Awards

04 Nov 05:55 PM
Entertainment

Taylor Swift: Princess of pop

09 Nov 09:00 PM
Lifestyle

Angels work their magic

14 Nov 01:35 AM
Entertainment

Is Swift moving in on Styles again?

19 Nov 01:00 AM

Love,
Adam

Too cute!

John Mayer slammed Taylor Swift in his song 'Paper Doll'.
John Mayer slammed Taylor Swift in his song 'Paper Doll'.

John Mayer

Dear John wasn't quite as lovely as the rest of Swift's ex-files. Swift hit hard against the singer "Dear John /I see it all now it was wrong/Don't you think nineteen's too young to be played with?/Your dark twisted games when I loved you so". The couple were linked together when Swift was featured in Mayer's song Half of My Heart. Mayer also made a cameo on stage during several of Swift's shows. Since the split, Mayer, who's now dating Katy Perry, has written is own song, Paper Doll, which is thought to be bashing Swift. With lyrics like "You're like twenty-two girls in one/ And none of them know what they're running from". Ouch!

Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift dated briefly in 2011. Photo / AP
Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift dated briefly in 2011. Photo / AP

Jake Gyllenhaal

Though the two only held hands for what seemed like second, a lot tracks from Swift's latest album Red are thought to be about the Hollywood hunk. But it was the first single We Are Never Getting Back Together that got the rumour mill churning, with the track's music video featuring a Gyllenhaal lookalike.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Conor Kennedy

There's talk that love song Begin Again is about Swift's relationship with handsome Conor Kennedy (great nephew of President John F. Kennedy). The song was written while the two were still together. While their love didn't last the distance, they are said to have parted ways on good terms.

Taylor Swift took at dig at 1D ex, Harry Styles, at the 2013 VMAs. Photo / AP
Taylor Swift took at dig at 1D ex, Harry Styles, at the 2013 VMAs. Photo / AP

Harry Styles

I Knew You Were Trouble was originally thought to be another track about John Mayer. However, many people now speculate it's actually about Harry Styles, especially after Swift took a dig at the One Direction heartthrob at the MTV VMAs in September. During her acceptance speech for Best Female Video, Swift said: "I also want to thank the person that inspired this song, and he knows exactly who he is, because I got one of these!" directed at a boy band member.

Ed Sheeran insists that he never dated Taylor Swift.
Ed Sheeran insists that he never dated Taylor Swift.

Ed Sheeran

Okay, so Everything Has Changed isn't about Ed Sheeran (in fact, the song could be another tied to Mr Kennedy), however this duet sparked rumours that the two musos were getting cosy. Earlier this week Swift posted a pic to Instagram of Sheeran and herself enjoying a quiet cuppa, with the words: "Ed told me to caption this 'SWEERAN'".

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

However, Sheeran has always made it clear that the two are just very good friends... which is probably true. Nevertheless the BFF song birds are adorable together.

Have a listen to all of Taylor's Ex-Boy tracks here:

Taylor Swift will be performing her first of three shows tonight at the Vector Arena in Auckland.

This T-Swift playlist was curated by entertainment reviewer Rachel Bache. Follow nzherald_ent on Spotify for more weekly playlists.

Follow @nzherald_ent on Twitter for all the latest entertainment news.

- nzherald.co.nz

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Entertainment

Entertainment

‘I’ve been put up on the shelf’: Temuera Morrison laments Star Wars limbo

17 Jun 03:16 AM
Entertainment

Justin Bieber reveals 'broken' state, admits to anger issues

17 Jun 01:08 AM
Entertainment

Doctor to plead guilty in Matthew Perry drug case, faces 40 years

16 Jun 11:30 PM

Sponsored: Embrace the senses

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Entertainment

‘I’ve been put up on the shelf’: Temuera Morrison laments Star Wars limbo

‘I’ve been put up on the shelf’: Temuera Morrison laments Star Wars limbo

17 Jun 03:16 AM

The Kiwi actor has been part of the Star Wars universe for more than 20 years.

Justin Bieber reveals 'broken' state, admits to anger issues

Justin Bieber reveals 'broken' state, admits to anger issues

17 Jun 01:08 AM
Doctor to plead guilty in Matthew Perry drug case, faces 40 years

Doctor to plead guilty in Matthew Perry drug case, faces 40 years

16 Jun 11:30 PM
Why 'Prime Minister' is a must-watch for political enthusiasts

Why 'Prime Minister' is a must-watch for political enthusiasts

16 Jun 06:00 PM
Help for those helping hardest-hit
sponsored

Help for those helping hardest-hit

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP