No, Taylor Swift’s Fortnight has nothing to do with Fortnite

Today, April 19, 2024, might be one of the best days ever. It's a Friday to start, and who doesn't love that? We just got the news that Amazon Prime's Fallout series has been renewed for a second season, and most importantly, Taylor Swift's new album just dropped.

The Tortured Poerts Department: The Anthology, alongside being an absolute mouthful of an album title, is also a bit of a banger. It takes the world's biggest pop star back into her more comfortable, conversational style while taking aim at former flames. But, you're not here to listen to me try and critique Swift, you're here because at least some people out there seem to think that title track 'Fortnight,' featuring Post Malone, has something to do with Epic Games' battle royale game, Fortnite. I am here to tell you that, no, it has nothing to do with it at all.

Where does my evidence to suggest that this is the case come from? Google Trends of course. It turns out that people are specifically searching 'Fortnite Taylor Swift.' Is this just a mere misspelling of the title track? Do people want to know T Swift herself enjoys nothing more than grinding out a couple Victory Royales in an evening? The jury is out. But fear not, as I have put the work in to dissect a whole two sections of Fortnight's lyrics to see if there's any merit to these claims.

"I was supposed to be sent away, but they forgot to come and get me, I was a functioning alcoholic, 'til nobody noticed my new aesthetic."

Ok, so, maybe, maybe Taylor's a secret Avatar fan and she's just gutted nobody noticed her sick new Aang skin. Alas, the preceding lyrics seem to suggest a slightly deeper meaning. Nevermind then.

Perhaps the biggest hint you could point to are those first two lines of the chorus.

"And for a fortnight (Fortnite, obviously), there we were, forever running, 'til you sometimes ask about the weather."

Is this a hint that Taylor and boyfriend Travis Kelce enjoy nothing more than playing a bit of Duos on a lazy weekend? The biggest power couple in the world sprinting their way across the map, Travis nervously asking Taylor if they're about to find themselves in the damaging purple hue of the storm? It makes for a great visual image — they're just like us — alas, I do not think that is the case.

As much as you may want it to be a thing, it is not a thing. Taylor's lyrics are not referencing back to some treasured memory she has of getting 10 elims in a lobby. They're just her usual heartfelt lyrics on real-life problems.

Perhaps this has all been one big misunderstanding. It may just be that people don't know how to spell fortnight. Is this what Epic Games' ever-popular battle royale title has done to the minds of the children of today? I fear that may indeed be the case.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's been a fun little journey... right?

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