Did Joe Alwyn Cheat? A 'Hoax' Deep Dive

In her video, Hannah delves into the intricate layers of Taylor Swift's song "hoax" from the album "folklore," exploring its potential connections to Swift's relationship with Joe Alwyn. She emphasizes that while the song's interpretation is speculative, the lyrics suggest themes of betrayal, heartache, and the complexities of love. Hannah highlights Swift's departure from her usual optimistic album closings, noting "hoax" ends "folklore" on a somber note, raising more questions than it answers. The discussion touches on Swift's use of nature imagery to convey emotional devastation and the recurring motifs of infidelity across the album. Hannah also contrasts "hoax" with other tracks like "peace" and "the lakes," which also reference Swift's relationship with Alwyn, suggesting a narrative of tumultuous love and personal turmoil. Throughout the analysis, Hannah invites viewers to engage with the art of lyrical interpretation, sharing their insights and connecting with the music on a deeper level.

• Hannah introduces the topic of the deep dive into Taylor Swift's song "Hoax".
• The analysis seeks to explore potential connections to Taylor Swift's breakup with Joe Alwyn.
• Hannah emphasizes that the discussion is speculative and acknowledges Taylor Swift's right to privacy.
• It is noted that Taylor Swift's albums typically end on a positive note, contrasting with "Hoax".

"hello and welcome to my channel my name is Hannah thank you so much for being here if you are today we're going to be looking at the song hoax by Taylor Swift and doing a deep dive into the lyrics after the Joe Allen breakup to see if there were any connections there or if it changes the perspective at all..."

The quote introduces the purpose of the video, which is to analyze "Hoax" and its potential connections to Taylor Swift's personal life, specifically her relationship with Joe Alwyn.

• The video content is based purely on speculation.
• Taylor Swift's privacy is acknowledged despite public interest in her personal life.
• Theories are considered fun to discuss but the truth may remain unknown.

"it's important to note that everything shared in this video is pure speculation and it's important to remember that Taylor Swift is a real human being with a right to privacy whether she puts out songs about her life or not..."

This quote sets the context of the analysis, clarifying that the discussion is speculative and respects Taylor Swift's privacy.

• Taylor Swift's albums often end on a positive note, which is not the case with "Hoax".
• Previous albums like "Lover", "Reputation", and "1989" concluded with songs that provided closure or optimism.
• "Hoax" ends the "Folklore" album with ambiguity and raises questions.

"...her albums usually tend to end on a happier note... but this is very different because hoax raises a lot of questions it raises more questions than it answers..."

The quote highlights the unusual nature of "Hoax" as a closing track, given Taylor Swift's pattern of ending albums with songs that resolve or uplift.

• "Hoax" is speculated to be related to Taylor Swift's relationship with Joe Alwyn.
• The song's tone differs from other songs about Joe Alwyn, leading to fan speculation about a potential breakup.
• Taylor Swift's albums contain a mix of fiction and personal experience.

"so I think that's why it caused so much speculation in fact it people went so far as to start discussing whether they thought that maybe this was her way of telling us that her and Joe had broken up..."

This quote explains how the song's tone led to speculation about the status of Taylor Swift's relationship, although it was later confirmed that they were still together.

• Taylor Swift has spoken about "Hoax" in the Long Pond Studio Sessions.
• She explains that the song reflects multiple painful experiences, not just one.
• The song explores the theme of vulnerability and being hurt by someone who knows how to inflict pain.

"I think like to you it meant different things and that was a moment of like doubt or something... but it everybody has that situation in their life where it's like you let someone in and they get to know you..."

Taylor Swift's quote reveals that "Hoax" is about various painful experiences and not solely about her relationship with Joe Alwyn.

• Even if "Hoax" isn't about Joe Alwyn, the lyrics can still be insightful when examined closely.
• Taylor Swift appreciates when listeners apply their own experiences to her songs.
• The song resonates with the universal experience of being hurt by someone close.

"however I still think it's interesting to look at the lyrics again and revisit them after the general one break up and consider what might be going on here..."

Hannah concludes by suggesting that regardless of the song's specific inspiration, there is value in analyzing the lyrics and relating them to broader experiences of hurt and vulnerability.

• Trauma and past experiences can be used against a person by those they trust.
• Trusting someone and then being hurt by them can be extremely painful.
• The song "Hoax" by Taylor Swift is considered to be a song that delves into deep-rooted pain.

"Trauma your past experiences to hurt you just because you have given them that inside knowledge and you've shown yourself seeing them when people do that it can be the most hurtful thing especially if it's somebody that you trust."

This quote highlights the vulnerability that comes with sharing personal trauma and the profound hurt that can occur when that trust is betrayed.

• Lyrics use profound imagery to convey feelings of despair.
• The song's lyrics suggest a build-up of events leading to a breaking point.
• The image of standing on a cliffside is used to symbolize a desperate plea for a reason to either stay or leave.

"I'm standing on the cliff side saying give me a reason."

The quote conveys a metaphorical crossroads where an individual is seeking a compelling reason to make a critical life decision.

• Art and music interpretation is subjective and can be enriched through discussion.
• Different perspectives on a song's meaning can lead to a deeper understanding.
• Engaging with others about interpretations can reveal a variety of responses and resonances.

"I think you get so much more out of any kind of art or music by talking about it with other people debating about the meaning behind it."

This quote emphasizes the value of discussing and debating the interpretations of art to gain a more comprehensive understanding of its meaning.

• The song "Hoax" is speculated to be about Joe Alwyn.
• Lyrics are analyzed for potential references to a romantic relationship.
• The discussion is framed as speculative and theoretical.

"So we will be focusing on parts of the lyrics that could refer to him."

The quote indicates that the analysis will concentrate on parts of the song that might relate to Taylor Swift's romantic partner, Joe Alwyn.

• The use of metaphors like "my only one" and "my smoking gun" suggests a unique and significant relationship.
• Phrases like "my twisted knife" and "my sleepless night" imply betrayal and pain.
• "My winless fight" conveys a sense of futility and struggle within a relationship.

"My only one my Smoking Gun my Twisted knife my sleepless night."

This quote uses metaphorical language to describe a deep emotional connection and the pain of betrayal within that relationship.

• The chorus of "Hoax" is described as visceral and evocative.
• The song captures the desperation of needing a reason to continue amidst suffering.
• Lyrics express a powerful emotional state that resonates with listeners.

"Stood on the Cliffside screaming give me a reason."

This quote from the chorus illustrates a moment of intense emotional vulnerability and the need for hope or justification to persist.

• Lyrics suggest a narrative of betrayal, potentially involving cheating.
• The song explores the concept of a "faithless love."
• Despite the perceived unfaithfulness, there is still a choice to believe in the love.

"Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in."

The quote reflects the paradox of recognizing a love that may not be genuine but choosing to believe in it regardless, highlighting the complexity of the emotions involved.

• Unconditional love is defined as loving someone even if they do not reciprocate that love.
• The concept is tied to the idea of remaining committed to a relationship despite a lack of faith or fidelity from the other person.
• The emotional weight of unconditional love is highlighted, suggesting a deep and complex emotional experience.

"Unconditional love is do you love somebody even if they don't love you anymore if they don't love you back because that's unconditional love."

This quote explains the essence of unconditional love, which is loving someone without expecting anything in return, including their love.

• There is speculation regarding Taylor Swift's song being about Joe Alwyn, but no confirmation.
• The song potentially references a "Great War" and a betrayal, which could be related to Alwyn if the speculation holds true.
• The lyrics suggest a connection to faithless love and emotional betrayal.

"There has been speculation about Joe Alwyn. but we don't know anything about why their relationship ended we do not know anything."

The quote acknowledges the rumors about Joe Alwyn's connection to the song but emphasizes the lack of concrete information regarding the end of their relationship.

• Taylor Swift's lyrics are interpreted as expressing a willingness to endure sadness and gray skies with a loved one.
• The alternative interpretation suggests a preference to be sad with someone rather than face the pain of their absence.
• The song resonates emotionally, reflecting the complexity of love and sadness in relationships.

"I'd rather be sad with you than have to deal with the pain of not having you at all."

This quote captures the sentiment of preferring to be with someone, even in sadness, rather than experiencing the greater pain of separation.

• Relationships that repeatedly cause pain can lead to a dilemma between staying and enduring hurt or leaving and facing loss.
• There is a belief that the pain of leaving might be greater than the pain caused by staying.
• The realization often comes that leaving does not necessarily result in crumbling but can lead to peace and healing.

"You stay you still stay because you don't want to have to go through the pain of losing that person."

The quote reflects the internal conflict faced in painful relationships, where the fear of loss can keep someone from leaving a harmful situation.

• Taylor Swift uses the metaphor of a "sleight of hand" to describe betrayal and deceit.
• The lyrics suggest that such betrayal has ruined her well-thought-out plans.
• Nature imagery is used to describe the emotional devastation after a relationship, with references to barren land and being ash from someone's fire.
• Past references to emotional states in other songs are noted, such as feelings of being destroyed or betrayed.

"My best laid plan and your sleight of hand."

This quote suggests that a planned future or expectation was destroyed by someone else's deceitful actions.

• The bridge of the song prompts speculation about Joe Alwyn's actions.
• References to New York connect to Taylor Swift's relationship with Alwyn and are prevalent in her previous albums.
• The lyrics touch on themes of loss, acting, and media treatment, with possible allusions to past hardships Swift faced in the public eye.

"You know I left a part of me back in New York."

This quote signifies a personal connection to New York, which is a recurring theme in Taylor Swift's work and is linked to significant events or relationships in her life.

• Taylor Swift's scars from media backlash are referenced, relating to the infamous feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
• The song conveys the pain of being publicly vilified and the long-lasting impact of such experiences.
• The lyrics question the purpose of enduring further public scrutiny when one has already been metaphorically "destroyed."

"You knew it still hurts underneath my scars from when they pulled me apart."

The quote poignantly expresses the enduring pain beneath the visible scars of past public controversies and personal attacks.

• Taylor Swift's relationship with Joe was in its early stages during the intense public scrutiny she faced due to the Kim Kardashian and Kanye West feud.
• Joe would have witnessed firsthand the effect this had on Taylor, potentially influencing their relationship dynamics.
• The lyrics suggest a breach of trust, where someone close to Taylor used her vulnerability against her.

"You saw that happen, you know that it still hurts, so why are you using it in this way then?"

The quote indicates that the person Taylor is addressing was aware of her past pain and yet chose to act in a way that exacerbated it, showing insensitivity or betrayal.

• Taylor expresses trust by letting someone in, only to have that person misuse her openness.
• The lyrics convey a sense of betrayal comparable to the public character assassination she experienced.

"So I let you in the door... and then they then use that against her."

Taylor felt safe enough to be vulnerable with someone, but that trust was taken advantage of, leading to a sense of betrayal.

• The song discusses the futility of "keeping score" in a relationship, possibly referring to jealousy or arguments about past relationships.
• It suggests that the person she is singing to has already "won" her love, making any comparison or competition unnecessary.

"You knew he won so what's the point of keeping score?"

This line implies that despite having secured Taylor's affection, the person in question still engages in unnecessary comparisons or conflicts.

• Taylor compares a personal betrayal to the trauma she experienced during her public fallout.
• The betrayal felt by Taylor is equated to the worst time in her life, indicating the severity of the emotional impact.

"What you did was just as a DOT... this is bad."

The quote suggests that the personal betrayal Taylor experienced was as damaging to her as the intense public backlash she faced previously.

• Taylor uses the metaphor of a "kingdom" to describe her relationship, which has now "come undone."
• The idea of a kingdom is associated with her happier times with Joe, but now there's a sense of loss and disintegration.

"My only one, my kingdom come undone."

The phrase plays on the religious petition "thy kingdom come" and indicates the collapse of what was once a secure and happy relationship.

• The song explores the concept of a heart not broken but "beaten," suggesting ongoing pain within the relationship.
• Taylor implies that she is choosing to stay in a relationship that continues to cause her emotional distress.

"My broken drum, you have beaten my heart."

This metaphor indicates that Taylor feels her heart is enduring repeated harm, rather than a single, clean break.

• The final lines of the song reveal Taylor's decision to stay with the person despite the sadness they cause.
• Taylor's commitment is underscored by her willingness to endure a unique kind of sadness for the sake of the relationship.

"Don't want no other shade of blue but you; no other sadness in the world would do."

Taylor is expressing a deep emotional connection to the person she's with, suggesting that despite the pain, she finds the relationship uniquely significant.

• Taylor's album "Folklore" has a recurring theme of infidelity, explored from various perspectives.
• The exploration of cheating is more pronounced in "Folklore" than in her previous albums.

"The theme of cheating is huge on this album more so than any other album she's written."

The quote points out the thematic significance of infidelity in Taylor's work, suggesting a deeper exploration of the topic in her songwriting.

• Taylor Swift is known for the deliberate ordering of her songs, which can reveal additional layers of meaning.
• The song "Hoax" follows "Peace," which is about Taylor's insecurities and fears in her relationship with Joe.

"I also think it's important to mention that 'Hoax' comes directly after 'Peace' on the album."

The placement of "Hoax" after "Peace" suggests a narrative progression in the album, moving from expressing fear and insecurity to confronting betrayal and heartache.

• Taylor refers to Joe as a "calamitous love" and discusses "insurmountable grief," indicating a tumultuous aspect of their relationship.
• The careful choice of words and their placement in the album's narrative structure are intentional and meaningful.

"She refers to Joe as a calamitous love."

This choice of words suggests a love that is marked by chaos and disruption, providing insight into the nature of their relationship as perceived by Taylor.