Who is illicit affairs about

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: “Illicit Affairs” by Taylor Swift is widely believed to be about a secret romantic relationship, inspired by her 2016 fling with actor Tom Hiddleston. The song, released on August 23, 2020, as part of her album *Folklore*, uses metaphorical lyrics to explore betrayal and secrecy.

Key Facts

“Illicit Affairs” was released on August 23, 2020, as part of Taylor Swift’s album *Folklore*.
The song peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in its debut week.
Lyrically, it describes a secret relationship involving coded messages and hotel room rendezvous.
Swift co-wrote and co-produced the song with Aaron Dessner of The National.
The track spent 12 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Overview

“Illicit Affairs” is a narrative-driven track from Taylor Swift’s critically acclaimed 2020 album *Folklore*. The song delves into the emotional complexity of a clandestine romantic relationship, using poetic imagery and confessional lyrics to convey guilt, deception, and longing.

While not explicitly confirmed by Swift, fans and critics widely interpret the song as drawing from her 2016 relationship with actor Tom Hiddleston. The lyrics suggest a timeline and behavior consistent with tabloid reports from that period, including secretive meetings and coded communication.

Release date: The song was officially released on August 23, 2020, as the 11th track on *Folklore*, a surprise album that dropped without prior promotion.
Chart performance: “Illicit Affairs” debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, contributing to *Folklore* earning Swift her sixth No. 1 album.
Lyric theme: The song uses metaphors like “mark the days” and “you’re having your baby” to suggest a relationship hidden behind public facades and personal obligations.
Inspiration: Swift’s brief, high-profile romance with Tom Hiddleston in 2016 included yacht dates and paparazzi sightings, which fans believe inspired the secrecy in the song.
Storytelling style: Unlike her earlier autobiographical pop songs, “Illicit Affairs” uses fictionalized characters, a hallmark of the *Folklore* era’s indie-folk storytelling approach.

How It Works

The song blends lyrical nuance with minimalist production to evoke emotional tension. Each verse builds a narrative of a relationship sustained in shadows, relying on subtle cues and private rituals to maintain secrecy.

Verse structure: The first verse introduces the setting with “He tells his friends, ‘She’s like a magnetic field,’ suggesting charm and danger, while hiding her identity.
Chorus: The repeated line “And it’s bad, bad, bad, bad, bad” emphasizes moral conflict, using repetition to underscore emotional turmoil and guilt.
Bridge: The bridge lists geographic locations like “Chicago” and “Ann Arbor” to map the clandestine travels of the lovers, adding realism to the narrative.
Production: Co-produced by Aaron Dessner, the track features a sparse piano line and layered vocals, creating an intimate, confessional atmosphere.
Vocals: Swift’s vocal delivery is restrained and melancholic, contrasting with the emotional weight of lyrics about betrayal and secrecy.
Metaphor use: The line “You show me a filmic romance” critiques idealized love stories, contrasting them with the messy reality of an illicit affair.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of “Illicit Affairs” with other tracks from *Folklore* that explore similar themes of love and secrecy.

Song Title	Theme	Chart Position	Co-writer	Duration
“Illicit Affairs”	Secret relationship, betrayal	No. 10 (Billboard Hot 100)	Aaron Dessner	3:10
“Cardigan”	Lost love, nostalgia	No. 1 (Billboard Hot 100)	Jack Antonoff	3:58
“Exile” (feat. Bon Iver)	Breakdown of communication	No. 6 (Billboard Hot 100)	Justin Vernon	4:45
“The Last Great American Dynasty”	Legacy and scandal	No. 50 (Billboard Hot 100)	Jack Antonoff	3:47
“Seven”	Childhood memory, secrecy	Did not chart	Jack Antonoff	3:27

The table illustrates how “Illicit Affairs” stands out for its narrative precision and emotional restraint. While other *Folklore* tracks explore memory or loss, this song uniquely focuses on the mechanics of deception in romantic relationships, supported by geographic and temporal details.

Why It Matters

“Illicit Affairs” exemplifies Taylor Swift’s evolution from pop storyteller to nuanced lyricist crafting fictionalized yet emotionally authentic narratives. Its success underscores the cultural resonance of themes like secrecy, morality, and emotional conflict.

Cultural impact: The song became a fan favorite for its raw portrayal of emotional complexity, sparking widespread analysis on social media.
Artistic growth: It marks a shift from autobiographical writing to character-driven storytelling, a hallmark of her *Folklore* and *Evermore* albums.
Streaming success: As of 2023, the track has over 350 million streams on Spotify, reflecting its lasting popularity.
Critical acclaim: *Rolling Stone* ranked “Illicit Affairs” among the 100 best songs of the 2020s (as of 2022), praising its lyrical precision.
Influence: The song inspired numerous cover versions and TikTok analyses, demonstrating its reach beyond traditional music audiences.
Genre blending: Its indie-folk sound helped popularize the genre among mainstream listeners, influencing a wave of acoustic storytelling in pop music.

Ultimately, “Illicit Affairs” captures a moment of artistic maturity for Swift, blending personal insight with fictional narrative to explore universal truths about love and deception.