Lucy Dacus Confirms Taylor Swift Lyric Reference: ‘She Actually Texted Me’
The Boygenius singer opens up about her surprise at hearing her name in The Tortured Poets Department and reflects on Swift’s deeply personal songwriting.
A Moment of Musical Recognition as Boygenius Star Reflects on Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department”
Musician Lucy Dacus has confirmed that the “Lucy” mentioned in the title track of Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, is indeed her. In an interview with PEOPLE, Dacus revealed that Swift personally reached out for her approval before including the name in the song’s lyrics.
For fans analyzing every detail of Swift’s music, this revelation solves a lingering mystery. In the song, Swift sings:
“Sometimes, I wonder if you’re gonna screw this up with me / But you told Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave / And I had said that to Jack about you, so I felt seen / Everyone we know understands why it’s meant to be / ‘Cause we’re crazy.”
Dacus, known for her work as a solo artist and as part of the indie rock supergroup Boygenius alongside Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, recalled her reaction to hearing The Tortured Poets Department for the first time. “Well, I pushed play on the album just like, ‘Oh, this is so crazy,'” she told PEOPLE. “This is the first Taylor record to come out since meeting her, and listening to a friend’s record feels so much different than a stranger’s record.”
She continued, reflecting on the surreal moment: “This voice that I’ve heard basically what feels like my whole waking life saying my name… It was definitely an experience. I sat down and I was like, ‘Huh. Wow.'”
A Nod from Taylor Swift
Swift, known for her lyrical storytelling and deeply personal songwriting, has traditionally remained elusive about the inspirations behind her songs. However, in The Tortured Poets Department, multiple references appear to frequent collaborators and figures in her life, including producer Jack Antonoff and rumored ex-boyfriend Matty Healy. The album also name-drops musicians Charlie Puth, Patti Smith, and Dylan Thomas, further fueling speculation among fans.
Dacus praised Swift’s openness in her songwriting: “I think that that record of hers is super open-hearted, and I don’t know how many people at her level, if anyone is at her level, are writing from the heart that openly.”
Lucy Dacus’ Own Musical Journey
Dacus, who recently released her fourth solo album, Forever Is a Feeling, is embracing a significant moment in her own career. The album, released via Geffen Records, features the single “Bullseye,” with an accompanying performance video starring Hozier. Dacus previously debuted “Ankles,” another track from the album, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January.
To support Forever Is a Feeling, Dacus is set to embark on her largest tour to date, beginning in Philadelphia on April 16. The tour includes performances at prestigious venues such as Radio City Music Hall in New York, The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, and the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver before heading to Europe in June.
A Full-Circle Moment
For Dacus, this moment is not just about a name-drop in a song—it’s a testament to her growing presence in the industry and the interconnected world of musicians who inspire one another. While Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Dacus is making waves in her own right, carving out a space where indie meets mainstream recognition.
As for Swift? With her signature lyrical precision, she once again proves that every name, every word, and every reference in her songs has a story waiting to be told.
