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Taylor Swift<\/strong><\/a> fans are still debating the meaning behind her new song \u201cRuin the Friendship\u201d from her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl.<\/p>\n \u201cRuin the Friendship\u201d is track 6 on the record, which was released Friday, October 3. When Swift announced the song titles for Showgirl, some fans were immediately convinced the track would be about Swift, 35, taking distance from longtime pal<\/a> Blake Lively<\/strong>. (Swift was brought into the conversation regarding Lively\u2019s sexual assault lawsuit against her It Ends With Us costar and director, Justin Baldoni<\/strong>, after her song \u201cMy Tears Ricochet\u201d was featured in the 2024 film.)<\/p>\n Instead, fans were given an emotional and heartfelt ballad seemingly about Swift\u2019s high school friend Jeff Lang<\/strong>, who overdosed in 2010 after suffering from mental health struggles.<\/p>\n The first half of the sweet, summery song is a series of memories, seemingly from high school, when the pair would spend time together but hide their feelings for one another. Swift appears to express regret about not taking their friendship to the next level, singing, \u201cIt was not an invitation \/ But should have kissed you anyway \/ And it was not convenient \/ But your girlfriend was away \/ Should have kissed you anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n A Guide to Taylor Swift Songs Inspired by Her Friends: \u2018Fifteen,\u2019 \u201922\u2019 and More<\/a><\/p>\n The flowery recollections take a turn in the bridge, when Swift reveals she \u201clost track\u201d of the song\u2019s subject after graduation before her best friend Abigail Anderson Berard<\/strong> called \u201cwith the bad news.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodbye, and we\u2019ll never know why,\u201d she sings. \u201cBut I flew home anyway \/ With so much left to say \/ It was not convenient \/ But I whispered at the grave \/ Should have kissed you anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Swift traveled home to perform at Lang\u2019s funeral in 2010 shortly after his death. She addressed the tragedy at the BMI Country Awards weeks later via a video message while accepting her win as Country Songwriter of the Year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a really emotional week for me,\u201d she said before dedicating the award to Lang. \u201cYesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends. He was 21, and I used to play my songs for him first. So, I would like to thank Jeff Lang.\u201d<\/p>\n When Swift released Red (Taylor\u2019s Version) in 2023, fans connected her Vault Track \u201cForever Winter\u201d to Lang, which described a friend battling depression and substance abuse. \u201cToo young to know it gets better \/ I\u2019ll be summer sun for you forever,\u201d Swift promises on the song, which mirrors \u201cRuin the Friendship\u201d melodically.<\/p>\n Taylor Swift Through the Years: From Nashville Upstart to Pop Superstar and Beyond<\/a><\/p>\n Swift previously announced the tracklist for the album on the \u201cNew Heights\u201d podcast in August. The title \u201cRuin the Friendship\u201d quickly sparked fan speculation<\/a> about the inspiration for the song, with one person claiming, \u201cI am CER-TAIN that \u2018Ruin the Friendship\u2019 on Taylor Swift\u2019s new album is about Blake Lively.\u201d<\/p>\n Swift and Lively, 38, were friends for a decade before the singer was dragged into the actress\u2019 legal battle<\/a> against her It Ends With Us director and costar, Justin Baldoni<\/strong>. After Lively accused Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment and a smear campaign in December 2024, he subsequently claimed Lively used Swift to pressure him into accepting her ideas for their film. (Both parties have denied the opposing side\u2019s allegations.)<\/p>\n \u201cTaylor is very uncomfortable about being pulled into the lawsuit,\u201d a source exclusively told Us Weekly in May. \u201cIt\u2019s a huge thing now. Her friendship with Blake is strained<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n While Swift and Lively\u2019s dynamic is not what it once was, the insider noted that not all hope was lost for their relationship moving forward.<\/p>\n \u201cTaylor and Blake have spoken, and Blake [said she\u2019s sorry],\u201d the source said, adding that Swift was not holding a grudge. \u201cTaylor is very forgiving, and in her eyes, she still considers Blake a friend. But the lawsuit is still ongoing, and until it\u2019s resolved, [things are] difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n