Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, has been widely criticized for what people believe to be odd lyricism. But there’s one song titled, Ruin the Friendship, in her 12th studio album that struck a deeply personal chord with Jeffrey Lang’s mother, who believes it captures Swift’s teenage nostalgia about her late son (via The Tennessean).
Lang tragically passed away at the age of 21 in 2010. He and Swift were childhood friends, and they grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee. So, let’s look at what Lang’s mother has to say about Swift’s song, and how Ruin the Friendship honors his memory.
Jeffrey Lang’s Mother Reacts to Taylor Swift’s Ruin the Friendship
For Susan, Jeffrey Lang’s mother, Ruin the Friendship is more than just another song on Taylor Swift’s album. It’s an emotional reconnection with her late son, who was friends with Swift. Lang revealed how the singer would always want her son to first hear her songs in the early years.
After listening to Ruin the Friendship, Lang said that “it brought back happy memories and a flood of emotions.” Though the song doesn’t name Jeffrey directly, there are references to “Gallatin Road” and other things that Mrs. Lang believes to be an homage to him (via The Tennessean).
Interestingly, she also noted that while Swift was close with her late son, it was unclear if he ever shared the same romantic feelings. She described them as “really good friends,” who’d spend time together and laugh a lot, which is beautiful, and it must’ve hurt Swift to lose someone so close to her.
How Taylor Swift’s Ruin the Friendship Honors Jeffrey Lang
In Ruin the Friendship Taylor Swift sings about a missed chance, but ultimately, it is a tribute to a friend whose life ended too soon. The lyrics talk about their high school memories, and she turns her personal experience into universal storytelling that most can relate to.
The song title, Ruin the Friendship, which comes at the end, refers to the notion that people often talk about, where our romantic approach to someone who’s seemingly a friend could make things complicated. But after suffering the loss of a close friend, Swift is asking us to go ahead and take the chance and ruin the friendship.
There is a hint of regret and an ache in the song that is undeniable. Plus, with the imagery of the prom night, Gallatin road drives, and more, Swift paints a vivid picture of what their relationship was like through her lyrics.
“It was not convenient, no, but I whispered at the grave, should’ve kissed you anyway,” turns her high school regret into a lifelong homage. Susan Lang must’ve felt moved by how Swift is carrying her son’s presence forward through her heart.
So, what do you think about this heartbreaking song? Is it your favorite from The Life of a Showgirl?
You can listen to The Life of a Showgirl on Apple Music (USA).
