Taylor Swift explains romantic double meaning behind ‘Honey' lyrics

3 October 2025, 15:05

Taylor Swift has revealed the double meaning behind her 'Honey' lyrics and their meaning - and it's so romantic!

Has someone ever called you 'babe' and it felt passive aggressive? But then did someone you love called you 'babe' and it gave you butterflies? Well that's the exact feeling that Taylor Swift is expressing in The Life of a Showgirl Track 11, 'Honey'.

And yes, it seems that the lyrics of Taylor's 'Honey' are penned about her now fiancé Travis Kelce. Taylor has said that this album reflects "exactly where" she is in life right now, and that is loved-up with Travis.

Along with tracks like 'The Fate of Ophelia', 'Opalite' and 'Wood', Taylor is using 'Honey' to show how her relationship with Travis has helped her to view life in through a romantic lens.

• Read more: EXCLUSIVE: Taylor Swift gushes over the UK and how it inspired 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Here's everything Taylor's said about the meaning of the 'Honey' lyrics.

What is Taylor Swift's song 'Honey' about?

In her Amazon music breakdown, Taylor has said the song is about 'repurposing' words that have hurt you in the past, because when they're used by someone special they mean something completely different.

She explained: "'Honey' is a song about how words that have been meant to hurt you in the past can be repurposed by someone who loves you in a way that feels totally different.

"You know, if the only time you were called honey was when someone was like, 'That look is not working for you, honey'. Like, that is very different than when somebody calls you honey in a sweet way, in a sincere way, in a lovely way."

Taylor sings about how 'honey' has been used as a way to deliver an insult before: If anyone called me "Honey" (Ooh) / It was standin' in the bathroom (Yeah), white teeth / They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me

But when the 'you' in the song (likely Travis) calls her 'honey' it feels romantic because it's meant sincerely. She sings: You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want / ... / Gave it a different meaning 'cause you mean it when you talk

Taylor continued: "And it's kind of about sort of the idea of healing these old wounds that were caused by certain words that now feel totally lovely and sweet. So I also just love this song. It's such a bop. I just jump around to this song."

Watch Taylor Swift's interview on Capital Breakfast in full on Global Player now.

Taylor Swift - 'Honey' lyrics

REFRAIN

You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want
Mm-mm

CHORUS

When anyone called me "Sweetheart"
It was passive-aggressive at the bar
And the b---- was tellin' me to back off
'Cause her man had looked at me wrong
If anyone called me "Honey"
It was standin' in the bathroom, white teeth
They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me
And I cried the whole way home

POST-CHORUS

But you touched my face
Redefined all of those blues
When you say "Honey"

VERSE

Summertime spritz, pink skies
You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want
Wintergreen kiss, on my
Gave it a different meaning 'cause you mean it when you talk
Honey, I'm home, we could play house
We can bed down, pick me up
Who's the baddest in the land? What's the plan? (What's the plan?)
You could be my forever night stand
Honey

CHORUS

When anyone called me "Sweetheart"
It was passive-aggressive at the bar
And the b---- was tellin' me to back off (Back off)
'Cause her man had looked at me wrong
If anyone called me "Honey"
It was standin' in the bathroom, white teeth
They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me
And I cried the whole way home

POST-CHORUS

But you touched my face
Redefined all of those blue
When you say

VERSE 2

You can call me "Honey" if you want because I'm the one you want
I'm the one you wan
You give it different meaning, 'cause you mean it when you talk
Sweetie, it's yours, kicking in doors
Take it to the floor, give me more
Buy the paint in the color of your eyes (Of your eyes)
And graffiti my whole damn life
Honey

BRIDGE

When anyone called me late night
He was screwin' around with my mind
Askin', "What are you wearin'?"
Too hard to remember in the morning
And when anyone called me "Lovely"
They were findin' ways not to praise me
But you say it like you're in awe of me
And you stay until the morning
Honey

CHORUS

When anyone called me "Sweetheart"
It was passive-aggressive at the bar
And the b---- was tellin' me to back off (Back off)
'Cause her man had looked at me wrong (He looked at me wrong)
If anyone called me "Honey" (Ooh)
It was standin' in the bathroom (Yeah), white teeth
They were sayin' that skirt don't fit me
And I cried the whole way home (Cried the whole way home)

OUTRO

But you can call me "Honey" if you want

Read all the latest Taylor Swift news here:

• Taylor Swift explains dark meaning behind 'The Life of A Showgirl' lyrics with Sabrina Carpenter
• Taylor Swift's romantic 'Opalite' lyrics meaning and sweet Travis Kelce reference explained
• Who are Taylor Swift's 'Actually Romantic' lyrics about? The meaning explained
• Taylor Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia' lyrics meaning and Travis Kelce references explained
• Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl is one of her shortest albums ever
• Taylor Swift 'The Life of a Showgirl' tracklist song titles and meanings explained
• Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce dating timeline: Their relationship so far
• All of Taylor Swift's cardigans released so far including new Life of a Showgirl version