Taylor Swift‘s Elizabeth Taylor is an ode to the Hollywood icon. It wasn’t just about the glamorous professional life of the actress, but also touched upon the chaos due to fame in her life and the endless love stories that became a talking point in Tinseltown. It appears that Swift draws parallels to the icon and herself, especially in terms of their very public romances.
Swift earlier brought up Elizabeth Taylor in the opening track, Ready For It?, of her album, Reputation. She called a former partner of hers “Burton to my Taylor.” However, this time she dedicated a whole song to the legendary actress in her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Yes, she brings the controversial love life of the actress, who married eight times to seven men. Of her relationships, the most prominent one was with Richard Burton, which caused quite a scandal back in the day. She had significant media attention, who continued to brutally scrutinize and analyze her personal life.
Swift certainly could relate to this, as she was often pulled into the spotlight for the number of failed relationships she had. Swift is currently engaged to NFL player Travis Kelce and seems to be in a happy position in her personal life.
What Are the References Taylor Swift Brought Up in Her Song Elizabeth Taylor?
Taylor Swift’s new song Elizabeth Taylor has impressed fans with the vibrant tone and beat of the song. The song begins with the line, “Do you think it’s forever?” Right off the bat, the singer alludes to the relationships of the actress. The lyric is probably suggesting that Taylor’s fame had her wondering whether any of her relationships would last “forever.”
The further lines read, “That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée / Ooh, oftentimes it doesn’t feel so glamorous to be me.” The references here are clearly directed at Taylor’s relationship with Burton. Portofino is the Italian village where Burton proposed to Taylor in 1964. The actress had mentioned her love for that village multiple times.
Plaza Athénée happens to be the hotel in Paris, where Taylor often stayed with Burton. The next few lines highlighted how Taylor thought the relationship with Burton was special and different from others. The Anti-Hero singer sings:
All the right guys promised they’d stay
Under bright lights, they withered away, but you bloom
Portofino was on my mind and I think you know why
And if your letters ever said, “Goodbye”
It could also be hinting at how things are different for Swift with Travis Kelce. Swift then sings, “I’d cry my eyes violet,” a reference to the popular violet colored eyes of the legendary actress.
Swift also references her favorite chart position in a line, while claiming that she never cheated on her partner. She sings, “I been number one but I never had two.” Some fans felt that this was her making it clear that she never cheated.
It almost felt like a dig at Taylor, who was famously accused of having an affair with Debbie Reynolds’ then-husband, Eddie Fisher. She later ended the relationship with Fisher when she fell in love with Burton on the set of Cleopatra.
In another part of the song, Swift sings, “Babe, I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust.” It was a reference to Taylor’s jewelry collection, which famously included many Cartier jewels. Then, there was a reference to Taylor’s favorite LA restaurant: “We hit the best booth at Musso & Frank’s.”
She also referenced Taylor’s fragrance line, White Diamonds, singing, “All my white diamonds and lovers are forever.” And there is more to uncover.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s Relationship Explained
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton first crossed paths at a 1953 party in Hollywood before they acted together in Cleopatra. She shared in her memoir, “I’ve always admitted that I’m ruled by my passions, and I can’t pretend I didn’t know what I was doing when I became involved with Richard” (via Vanity Fair).
They ended their respective marriages soon after Cleopatra and got married in 1964. Their relationship caught unwanted media attention, even prompting the coining of the term ‘paparazzi.’ From their lavish lifestyle to their fighting, all became news headlines. After a decade, their constant arguments led to them ending their relationship. They divorced in June 1974.
However, they gave their marriage another shot when they remarried in 1975. Taylor shared in her biography, “Even though there were rough times, I wouldn’t give up one minute of my time with Richard Burton.” However, this time, the relationship lasted less than a year.
However, they both had hopes that they would find each other again. Taylor shared in the book Furious Love, “In my heart, I will always believe we would have been married a third and final time” (via PEOPLE). Burton’s final letter before death revealed that he was happiest when he was with Taylor and wanted another chance with her (via Vanity Fair).
What do you think of Taylor Swift’s new song Elizabeth Taylor? Let us know in the comments below!
