Taylor Swift’s ‘imgonnagetyouback’ Mirrors Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘get him back!’ With a Matty Healy Twist

As multiple Swifties are putting it, “Olivia [Rodrigo] has the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever.” In September 2023, pop-punk princess Rodrigo released her Guts track “get him back!,” a banger steeped in wordplay about the twin desires of love and revenge that follow a breakup. (Particularly after Rodrigo’s own separation from ex Adam Faze.) Now, in April 2024, Taylor Swift has dropped the Tortured Poets Department track “imgonnagetyouback,” using identical wordplay and styling to target one of her own exes, most likely The 1975 frontman Matty Healy.

It’s important to note the two songs bear little sonic resemblance: “get him back!” is a high-tempo percussive earworm, while “imgonnagetyouback” is quieter, ethereal synth-pop. And Rodrigo’s “get him back!” itself mirrored Fiona Apple’s 2005 song “Get Him Back,” which uses the identical paradox: I love you, yes, but also “it’s ruining my life.”

Swift’s version of the “get you back” expression, in particular, seems aimed at Healy. The two were first connected in 2014, when tabloids reported the singers had a brief, secret fling. If those rumors were true, then Swift would have indeed “gotten [Healy] back” nearly a decade later, when the two officially dated in May 2023 after Swift’s breakup with actor Joe Alwyn. Lines like “I can tell when somebody still wants me,” “Push the reset button, we’re becoming something new,” “Even if it’s handcuffed, I’m leaving here with you,” and “Told my friends I hate you, but I love you just the same” seem targeted at the conflicted attitudes around Swift and Healy’s relationship, given Healy’s numerous controversies.

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Still, others fans are convinced “imgonnagetyouback” is actually winking at unfounded rumors that Swift dated Spanish racing driver Fernando Alonso before she was linked to Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. In “imgonnagetyouback,” she sings, “I’m an Aston Martin that you steered straight into the ditch.” Alonso currently drives an Aston Martin Aramco F1, per The Drive.

Whether the song is ultimately about Healy or Alwyn or Alsonso, or if it even intended to mirror Rodrigo, no one can say without official word from Swift. But the parallels are nonetheless a pleasure to unpack. Read the full lyrics to “imgonnagetyouback” below:

Lilac short skirt, the one that fits me like skin
Did your research, you knew the price goin’ in
And I’ll tell you one thing, honey
I can tell when somebody still wants me, come clean
Standin’ at the bar like something’s funny, bubbly
Once you fix your face, I’m goin’ in (Yeah)

Whether I’m gonna be your wife or
Gonna smash up your bike, I haven’t decided yet
But I’m gonna get you back
Whether I’m gonna curse you out or
Take you back to my house, I haven’t decidеd yet
But I’m gonna get you back

I, I hear thе whispers in your e-eyes
Oh, make you wanna think twice
You’ll find that you were never not mine
(You’re mine)

Small talk, big walk, act like I don’t care what you did
I’m an Aston Martin that you steered straight into the ditch
Then ran and hid
And I’ll tell you one thing, honey
I can take the upper hand and touch your body
Flip the script and leave you like a dumb house party
Or I might just love you ’til the end (Ah-ah-ah)

Whether I’m gonna be your wife, or
Gonna smash up your bike, I haven’t decided yet
But I’m gonna get you back
Whether I’m gonna flip you off, or
Pull you into the closet, I haven’t decided yet
But I’m gonna get you back

I-I hear the whispers in your e-eyes
Oh, make you wanna think twice
You’ll find that you were never not mine
(You’re mine)

I can feel it coming, honey, in the way you move
Push the reset button, we’re becoming something new
Say you got somebody else, say, “I got someone too”
Even if it’s handcuffed, I’m leaving here with you
Bygones will be bygone, eras fading into grey (Fading into grey)
Rebuild all the pieces, but still wanna play the game (Oh)
Told my friends I hate you, but I love you just the same
Pick your poison, babe, I’m poison either way (Ha)

Whether I’m gonna be your wife, or
Gonna smash up your bike, I haven’t decided yet
But I’m gonna get you back
Whether I’m gonna curse you out, or
Take you back to my house, I haven’t decided yet
But I’m gonna get you back

I-I hear the whispers in your e-eyes
Oh make you wanna think twice
You’ll find that you were never not mine

I’m gonna get you back