Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated new album has finally dropped, sending her fans—often called Swifties—into a frenzy of excitement. The release has been a major topic of discussion, with fans eagerly dissecting the meaning behind every song, as they always do with her music. Among the tracks, one song, in particular, has stood out and sparked intense debate: “Maroon.” Considered by many as a more mature and melancholic version of her earlier hit “Red,” “Maroon” has fans questioning which of Taylor’s past relationships the song might be referencing.

As Swift’s followers know well, her lyrics often contain cryptic details about her personal life, leading to speculation about who inspired each new release. With “Maroon,” three names have surfaced as the leading candidates: Jake Gyllenhaal, Harry Styles, and Tom Hiddleston. Let’s take a closer look at why fans are linking these particular former flames to the track.

Jake Gyllenhaal

The most obvious suspect for many is Jake Gyllenhaal, Taylor’s ex-boyfriend from around 2010. Their brief but highly publicized relationship was believed to be the inspiration for many of the songs on her fourth studio album, Red, which was released in 2012. Interestingly, this year marks the 10th anniversary of that album, and “Maroon” could be viewed as a reflective look back at that period of her life. After all, maroon is simply a darker, more intense shade of red, which could symbolise a deeper and more mature understanding of the emotions explored in her previous work.

In “Maroon,” Taylor sings, “And I chose you,” only to end the song with the poignant line, “And I lost you.” These lyrics echo the narrative of her romance with Jake, particularly the themes of choice and loss. Fans also point out the similarities in imagery between “Maroon” and the songs from Red, noting that Taylor often revisits certain metaphors and themes in her work. This connection is further strengthened by the infamous “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” video, which many believe contains direct references to Jake.

It’s not far-fetched to think that Taylor, now in her early 30s—the same age Jake was when they dated—could be reflecting on their relationship from a new perspective. Could “Maroon” be a deeper, more nuanced take on the heartbreak she first expressed in “Red”? Many fans certainly think so.

Harry Styles

Another possible muse for “Maroon” is Harry Styles, another high-profile relationship from Taylor’s past. Although details about the end of their romance remain somewhat mysterious, their time together is known to have inspired some of Taylor’s best-known tracks, including “Style” and “Out of the Woods.” Given the history between them, some fans are convinced that Harry could be the subject of yet another song in Taylor’s discography.

One particularly attentive fan noticed a potential lyrical link between “Maroon” and One Direction’s song “Olivia,” which Harry performed with the band. In “Maroon,” Taylor sings, “The burgundy on my T-shirt / When you splashed your wine into me,” a line that some believe mirrors Harry’s lyrics in “Olivia”: “Just thinking how I went about it wrong / This isn’t the stain of a red wine, I’m bleeding love.”

While the connection between these songs may seem tenuous, it’s no secret that Taylor often embeds clever references and nods to her past relationships in her music. Given her history with Harry, it’s possible that “Maroon” could be another subtle commentary on their time together.

Tom Hiddleston

And then there’s Tom Hiddleston, the so-called “wild card” in this speculative guessing game. While their whirlwind romance was relatively brief compared to some of Taylor’s other relationships, it certainly left an impression on the public. The pairing was highly publicized, with photos of the couple making headlines during their short-lived relationship in 2016.

Some fans believe that “Maroon” could be about Tom, pointing to certain lyrics that hint at a passionate but ultimately fleeting relationship. Though there are fewer obvious connections between Tom and the themes in “Maroon” than with Jake or Harry, the intensity of their relationship—marked by highly visible displays of affection—has led some to wonder if Taylor might be reflecting on that experience in this song.

The Mystery Remains

As with many of Taylor Swift’s songs, the exact inspiration behind “Maroon” may never be fully confirmed. Taylor herself tends to remain tight-lipped about the personal details behind her lyrics, preferring to let her fans speculate. What we do know, however, is that “Maroon” carries an emotional depth that resonates with listeners, regardless of who it’s about.

In the end, whether “Maroon” is a reflection on her romance with Jake, Harry, Tom, or someone else entirely, it’s clear that Taylor has once again succeeded in captivating her audience with her storytelling prowess. For Swifties, the thrill of dissecting each song and uncovering potential hidden meanings is all part of the fun. And with an artist like Taylor, there’s always more beneath the surface than meets the eye