Swifties seem to be speculating that Charli XCX’s new song “Sympathy Is a Knife” is about the short-lived romance between Taylor Swift and Matty Healy. The singer released her brand-new album, Brat, on June 7, 2024, and it has garnered positive reviews from critics.
Here’s why fans think Charli might be referencing Taylor Swift and Matty Healy in “Sympathy Is a Knife.”
Did Charli XCX make a song about Taylor Swift and Matty Healy?
Charli XCX referring to Taylor Swift and Matty Healy is still a speculation as there is no official confession from the singer.
“Sympathy Is a Knife” immediately became the crux of gossip on social media after the release of Brat. According to a Reddit post, the lyrics of this track suggest that Charli XCX is making references to The 1975 band’s frontman Matty Healy and Taylor Swift.
The said song’s lyrics are as follows:
[Verse 1]
I don’t wanna share the space
I don’t wanna force a smile
This one girl taps my insecurities
Don’t know if it’s real or if I’m spiraling
One voice tells me that they laugh
George says I’m just paranoid
Says he just don’t see it, he’s so naive
I’m embarrassed to have it but need the sympathy
[Chorus]
‘Cause I couldn’t even be her if I tried
I’m opposite, I’m on the other side
I feel all these feelings I can’t control
Oh no, don’t know why
All this sympathy is just a knife
Why I can’t evеn grit my teeth and lie?
I feel all these feelings I can’t control
Oh no, don’t know
[Verse 2]
Why I wanna buy a gun?
Why I wanna shoot mysеlf?
Volatile at war with my dialogue
I’d say that there was a God if they could stop this
Wild voice tearing me apart
I’m so apprehensive now
Don’t wanna see her backstage
At my boyfriend’s show
Fingers crossed behind my back
I hope they break up quick
As per Vulture, the lines, “Don’t wanna see her backstage / At my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up quick,” could be a reference to the time when Swift performed her hit single “Anti-Hero” at The 1975’s concert in January 2023. It was also mentioned in People‘s report about their relationship timeline.
A Reddit user stated that Swift was also pictured backstage. The user wrote, “Here is a picture of them backstage at The 1975 show in January 2023 both with Matty’s mom when Taylor came out and debuted Anti-Hero and Taylor is wearing Matty’s suit jacket in the pic. I think it is definitely referencing Taylor but not as shade more about Charli’s insecurity around Taylor.”
As per People, Healy and Swift first ignited dating rumors in May 2023, and the news of their break up surfaced the following month. Charli performed at Swift’s Reputation tour as an opening act.
However, a year later in 2019, she told Pitchfork in an interview, “It kind of felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to 5-year-olds.” However, she did express her gratitude to the pop icon for asking her to perform on her tour. But the statement reportedly gathered a hefty amount of trolling from Taylor Swift’s fans. Nevertheless, fans’ theory that Charli XCX’s new song is about Swift and Healy is all hearsay as of writing and is yet to be confirmed.
