Chart-topper Taylor Swift has made Welsh fans squeal after the launch of her newest album with a subtle nod to Wales. The American songstress, 34, had recently announced she'd be releasing her newest album 'The Tortured Poet's Department' in the early hours of Friday, April 19 - but stunned fans by dropping a "double-album" with a whopping 31 new tracks and a run-time of more than two hours.
In the album's title track, she references internationally-renowned Swansea poet Dylan Thomas and American poet Patti Smith. "I laughed in your face and said: 'You're not Dylan Thomas. I'm not Patti Smith. This ain't the Chelsea Hotel. We're modern idiots," she sings.
As reported by USA Today, the Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith lyric is understood to be a multi-layered, with several potential meanings. As well as perhaps suggesting she and her partner are struggling to find the words to express their feelings, "Swift is not only telling [the guy in the song], you're not that talented, she's saying, let's not be the kind of artists who make our self-destructive, tortured natures central to our art, which invites everyone to look at what a mess we are," says Stephanie Burt, a professor at Harvard University who teaches a module on Taylor Swift and her impact on society. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter
DYLAN THOMAS: Dylan Thomas' worldwide influence on rock stars and musicians like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Manics
Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer from Uplands in Swansea whose well-known works include the play Under Milk Wood and the often-quoted poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, which featured heavily in the Christopher Nolan film, Interstellar, whilst Patti Smith is from Chicago in America and is perhaps best known for her modern poetry and her music, including her 1978 song Because the Night.
In Swansea, the Dylan Thomas Birthplace hosts thousands of visitors every year - including none other than Hollywood star Johnny Depp - keen to learn about the literary legend and see where he once worked and lived.
Over on social media, Welsh and international Taylor Swift fans shared their surprise at the Dylan Thomas lyric. "Dylan Thomas getting a mention on Taylor Swift's new album?? The title track?? My fellow Welshies, we've won," said one fan, with three Welsh flag emojis. "Taylor Swift actually referenced Swansea's Dylan Thomas in a song lyric," a second fan said, with a shocked emoji, whilst another fan shared Welsh flag emojis and a loved-up emoji and wrote: "Dylan Thomas mentioned in one of Taylor Swift's songs on her new album."
"TAYLOR SWIFT JUST REFERENCED DYLAN THOMAS WTF," said another. "My 'Taylor Swift can read my mind' delusion for this album is the Dylan Thomas line when I've been obsessed with him for like 12 years," said another fan. "Happy Swift-mas to all those who celebrate. 'You're not Dylan Thomas and I'm not Patti Smith, we're just two idiots,'" wrote another. "Taylor Swift mentioning Dylan Thomas in her new album was the last thing we expected - but let me tell you, we are absolutely THRILLED," said another fan.
Taylor's nod to Wales comes six years after she took to the stage at Singleton Park in Swansea - and called the local crowd the "level above beautiful" - and just three months before she takes to the capital in the UK-leg of her upcoming Eras tour. The 14 Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter is heading to Cardiff's Principality Stadium on June 18, 2024. You can read all about her different 'eras' in a previous article here.
If you're still after tickets, sites such as Viagogo and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that many event promoters say tickets should not be resold after initial purchase and will not be valid for admittance to gigs. See here for more information on how to still get tickets.
Fans heading to concerts and shows with tickets they've purchased through resale websites are advised to double check the ticket's Ts and Cs before they buy them. Tickets could be voided if they are found to be bought second-hand. With this in mind, fans buy at their own risk, though Viagogo claims: "viagogo is a regulated marketplace where fans have the guarantee."
