Curious why Taylor Swift mentioned Lucy Dacus on her latest album and how Dacus responded? A striking lyric in The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD) drew fans’ attention and sparked questions about Swift’s connection to Dacus and the reason behind the name-drop.
Here’s what Lucy Dacus said about the lyric, her response to Swift’s request, and the context surrounding their interaction.
Taylor Swift asked Lucy Dacus for permisson before name-dropping her
In a March 2025 interview with People, Lucy Dacus confirmed that the name-drop of “Lucy” in Taylor Swift’s song “The Tortured Poets Department” refers to her.
Dacus stated, “I think it’s fair game to say ‘yes’. She actually texted me and asked for my approval.” The lyric in question appears on the title track of Swift’s 2024 album: “But you told Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave.” Dacus noted that she listened to her first Swift album since meeting her, and described the experience as surreal.
Dacus recalled her reaction to hearing her name in the song, saying, “Well, I pushed play on the album just like, ‘Oh, this is so crazy.’” She explained, “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 added, “It was definitely an experience. I sat down and I was like, ‘Huh. Wow.’” Dacus also said, “This voice that I’ve heard basically what feels like my whole waking life saying my name.”
Many believe the lyric references Taylor Swift’s past relationship with Matty Healy of The 1975, who briefly dated her in 2023. Healy and Lucy Dacus previously shared a close friendship but had a public falling out on X in 2023. Healy posted about starting a band inspired by boygenius and tagged Dacus. She replied, “You don’t hear from me at all,” prompting Healy to delete his account shortly after. (via Page Six)
Dacus also shared how fellow musician Chappell Roan supported her during a difficult time. “I had kind of a bad week…and she was just like, ‘No, what you make is important and makes a lot of people feel less lonely,’” Dacus said.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.net.
