If you're a Taylor Swift fan, you probably know about the history between Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian. What began when Kanye West interrupted Taylor's acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs was a moment that changed the course of pop culture history, spiraling into a very public feud and a private feud. It has given us such a reputation that it always seems to reappear in new forms. And after the release of 'The Tortured Poets Division', Swifties believe they have another piece of the puzzle with Taylor's new song 'thanK you aIMee'.
In true Taylor fashion, the pop star actually hinted at the song when she wore a $24 clip called Anthropologie's “Aimee” clip in October 2023! She loves adding all kinds of clues and references inside her costumes, and I love that this is so affordable. Here's everything you need to know. Don't forget to check out all the pop culture references in Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets department.
Does “thanK you aIMee” actually refer to Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian?
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There's plenty of evidence to suggest that “thanK you aIMee” is about Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift. First and most obvious is that the only capital letters in the song title are his three letters: “KIM.” The song is about a bully character named “Amy” (which Taylor admits has a different name in real life) who beats Taylor's spirit “black and blue.”
In the summer of 2016, Kanye West (Kim's husband at the time) released his song “Famous,” in which he takes credit for Taylor's fame after the 2009 VMAs incident. Although Taylor claimed she never gave him permission to call her a bitch in the song, a leaked video from Kim seemed to show the opposite (it turns out the video was edited). At the time, Kim told GQ, “[Taylor]completely knew it was going to come out. She suddenly wanted to act as if nothing had happened.”
#TaylorSwiftIsOverParty started trending on Twitter, and Taylor Swift deleted all social media and didn't give any interviews for three years, but in 2017 she appeared in the music video for “Look What You Made Me Do.” He returned with revenge. The video begins with the zombie burying Taylor. A “nicer” version of myself.
Taylor Swift's “Thank You, Amy” sings, “It wasn't a fair fight, it wasn't a clean kill // Every time Amy stepped on my grave // And she wrote the headline // In the local paper, If you ask me, that definitely sounds like a reference to the music video, and maybe Kim's interview.
Why is “thanK you aIMee” in random capital letters?
Image courtesy of Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Taylor Swift loves hiding hints within titles, lyrics, and messages. And historically, she used random capital letters to hide her words. In other words, “thanK you aIMee” should draw attention to “KIM.”
“Thank you aIMee” lyrics
Image courtesy of Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS
Verse 1: When I think of home // There's a spray-tanned statue of you // And there's a plaque underneath // That threatens to push me down the school stairs
Before chorus: And it was always the same searing pain // But I dreamed that someday I'd be able to say,
Chorus: All the while you were throwing punches, I was building something // And I can't forgive the way you made me feel // Bloody into the night sky, 'Fuck you, “Amy,” I cried./But I'll never forget how you healed me.
Verse 2: And it wasn't a fair fight or a clean kill // Every time Amy stepped on my grave // And she wrote the headlines // In the local paper, laughing at my every step While
Before chorus: And it was always the same searing pain // But I prayed that someday I'd be able to say,
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Chorus: All the while you were throwing punches, I was building something // And I couldn't wait to show you it was real // Bloody night sky “Fuck you, Amy” // But I'll never forget how you healed me // We all know my mother was a saint // But , my mother used to say I wish you were dead // I pushed each rock up the hill // Your words still ringing in my head, in my head It's ringing
Verse 3: I've written a thousand songs that you think are uncool // I've built a legacy that you can't undo // But when you count the scars, the moment of truth comes // This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't you
Bridge: And maybe you reframed it // And in your mind, you never beat my spirit black and blue // I don't think you're too I don't think it's changed // So I changed your name and the actual crucial clue // And one day your child comes home singing // Only we both know Because this song is about you
Image courtesy of Dimitrios Cambris/Getty Images
Chorus: All the time you were throwing punches, it was in vain // And our town looks so small from up here // I yelled “Thank you, Amy” to the night sky, and the stars were beautiful ' // 'Cause I can't forget how you healed me // Everyone knows my mother is a saintly woman // But she always said that when you die, You said it was good // So I pushed each rock up that hill // Your words were still ringing in my head, still ringing in my head.
Outro: Thank you, Amy // Thank you, Amy
Do you think “Thank you, aIMee” is referring to the feud between Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian? Once you've listened to it again, check out our ranking of all Taylor Swift albums.
Lead image (via Dimitrios Kambouris/Monica Schipper/Getty Images)