Lyrical Analysis: Fortnight by Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone

A tale of two Sims in the night...

Fortnight is the first track on Taylor Swift’s 11th studio Album, The Tortured Poets Department. Though the track was released on April 19, 2024, an AI version of the song went viral on TikTok prior to the album drop.

What is Taylor Swift’s Fortnight Really About?

Baby Swifties might think that this song is about that British 'fortnight' interval of time or whatever— nice try, Taylor. The truth is, it’s about Joe’s devastating addiction to the game of fortnite and how it ultimately unraveled Taylor so much, that he had her begging for Florida. You’d lie about the song’s meaning too if you had some kind of Floridian yearning.

This post is a work of satire and for entertainment purposes only. I do not personally know Taylor Swift or anyone else mentioned.

Verse 1 | Fortnight Lyrics Meaning

In verse one, Taylor immediately confronts the betrayal of being 'reported' for concerning mental health—most likely due to her constant interruptions of his Fortnite playtime with the boys. Luckily, she’s Taylor Swift—so no, Joe, no one came to 'pick her up' like you probably wanted. She knows it was you, you know? And so does Jack Antonoff, judging by how he threw you under the bus with the raisin incident.

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

All of this to say I hope you're okay, but you're the reason

And no one here's to blame, but what about your quiet treason?

She has the realization that this little London Boy of hers is gonna have to wrap it up and giddy on up out of her townhouse, or maybe it was the Rhode Island estate.

Chorus | Fortnight by Taylor Swift

Next we get into the melancholic chorus, highlighting the monotony of waiting for Joe in the alleys of their home — like when he came out for a little snack after a long game. She flashes back to loitering in their kitchen, just hoping Joe would turn the corner and talk to her about anything—even the weather.

And for a fortnight there, we were forever

Run into you sometimes, ask about the weather

Now you're in my backyard, turned into good neighbors

Your wife waters flowers, I wanna kill her

The “wife” mentioned, is likely code for Joe’s undying commitment to that one specific game. He’s “watering” the game, instead of their relationship, as it sits there dying of thirst — like the flowers she once referenced in “Clean.”

Verse 2 | Fortnight ft. Post Malone

In verse two, Taylor refers to a miracle-move-on drug. Logically, this is clearly about the dark period in their relationship where she tried to mirror his behavior to make it work. You want to be married to Fortnite? K. So she poured herself into building her Barbie dream mansion in the Sims 4. She’d move right along too. Kind of.

Unfortunately, this took a dark turn—fast. Before long, she had replicated their home in The Sims, right down to the cats. She began living with Joe-Sim instead of Joe-SEPH. And honestly, that’s on him. He lost his girl to a fake version of himself in The Sims. Huge miscalculation. No wonder she took all her jewels back, broseph.

All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February

I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary

And I love you, it's ruining my life, I love you, it's ruining my life

I touched you for only a fortnight, I touched you, but I touched you

Chorus v2 | Fortnight Lyrics

The chorus repeats, with a few changes. Though subtle, these changes are meaningful, implying that he’s slipping even further away from her. In the first version of the chorus, her “husband” is in the backyard — a more intimate setting than a street-facing mailbox.

And for a fortnight there, we were forever

Run into you sometimes, ask about the weather

Now you're in my backyard, turned into good neighbors

Your wife waters flowers, I wanna kill her

And for a fortnight there, we were together

Run into you sometimes, comment on my sweater

Now you're at the mailbox, turned into good neighbors

My husband is cheating, I wanna kill him

[Chorus: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift & Post Malone]

Bridge | Fortnight Lyrics Meaning

The bridge is the true unraveling — Taylor actively mourns the wilting of their six year relationship.

I love you, it's ruining my life

I love you, it's ruining my life

I touched you for only a fortnight

I touched you, I touched you

I love you, it's ruining my life

I love you, it's ruining my life

I touched you for only a fortnight

I touched you, I touched you

[Bridge: Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Taylor Swift & Post Malone]

Outro | Fortnight Lyrics Meaning

The outro, in my opinion, is actually about Matty Healy, not Joe. Here’s why — all the Florida references. British people love Florida — it’s a known fact. Look it up. I did a bit of digging, and our secondary London boy only feels comfortable driving in sunnier climates, like Greece or Florida, due to his severe Vitamin D deficiency.

Thought of callin' ya, but you won't pick up

'Nother fortnight lost in America

Move to Florida, buy the car you want

But it won't start up 'til you touch, touch, touch me

Thought of calling ya, but you won't pick up

'Nother fortnight lost in America

Move to Florida, buy the car you want

But it won't start up 'til I touch, touch, touch you

[Outro: Post Malone, Post Malone & Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift]

The next clue that this part is about Matty? Who else would ignore Taylor Swift’s phone call besides her secret ten-year situationship rock star not-boyfriend? Mr. 1975 himself went on-record in an interview years ago, saying it would be emasculating to “be Taylor Swift’s boyfriend.” Just throwing theories around, now. You know us Swifties.

So that is my definitive lyrical analysis of Fortnight by Taylor Swift. By the way, the acoustic version exists—and somehow, it slaps even harder than the original.

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