Now That We Don't Talk

Album: 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023)
Charted: 2 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Now That We Don't Talk" is one of five From the Vault songs Taylor Swift laid down for her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version). At 2:26, it's the shortest song she's ever released.
  • Within that brisk run time, Swift serves up a feast of delectable breakup anecdotes. From the post-split wounds to sassy style makeovers and the silver linings of moving on. "Now That We Don't Talk" chronicles the transformation in Swift and her ex's lives now that they've gone mute.

    The song wraps up with a bow of acceptance and a fresh self-discovery as Swift reminds herself that not talking to her former flame is the new normal.
  • Swift publicly dated Harry Styles from December 2012 to January 2013. Several 1989 songs, including "Out Of The Woods," "Style" and "All You Had To Do Was Stay" are believed to be about the aftermath of their romance, and many Swifties think this track is about Styles too. There are several lyrical breadcrumbs:

    1. "Did you get anxious though. On the way home? I guess I'll never ever know. Now that we don't talk": Swift and Styles supposedly called it quits on a New Year's vacation in the Virgin Islands, and she jetted home solo. Here, she might be pondering how Styles felt flying back later.

    2. "You part the crowd like the Red Sea": When Swift and Styles were an item, the media circus followed them everywhere and crowds swarmed them.

    3. "You grew your hair long": After the split, Styles let his locks flow until 2015. Swift even mentioned his long hair in "Style," singing: "You got that long hair slicked back white T-shirt."

    4. "I don't have to pretend I like acid rock": Styles is a rock music buff, and Swift has thrown shade at a partner's musical taste before. On 2012's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," she sings:

    And you would hide away and find your peace of mind
    With some indie record that's much cooler than mine


    And on 2021's "I Bet You Think About Me," Swift croons:

    I bet you think about me when you're out
    At your cool indie music concerts every week


    Swifties believe both those tracks are about her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal.
  • Swift teamed up with Jack Antonoff to write and produce "Now That We Don't Talk." Antonoff was her creative partner for three of the original 1989 tracks and all five of the 1989 (Taylor's Version) From the Vault songs.
  • Taylor Swift played "Now That We Don't Talk" live for the first time during her show at the Allianz Parque stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 24, 2023.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.