UK fans wonder if Taylor Swift will say 'So long, London' after Eras Tour

LONDON (AP) - Taylor Swift's fans love analyzing the singer's lyrics to uncover hints about her love life and gain a deeper understanding of her emotions.

However, fans of the famous singer in the United Kingdom didn't need to pay close attention to her newest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," to understand that Swift was no longer fond of the country's capital city after spending a lot of time there and considering it her second home. The fifth song on the album is called "Goodbye, London."

When Swift takes her massive Eras Tour to Wembley Stadium in London, many of her dedicated fans are wondering if this could be the start of a long farewell. She will be taking the stage for three nights starting on Friday, and will be back at Wembley for five more nights in August to wrap up the European part of her tour.

The neighborhood near Wembley Stadium was changed for the concerts, as fans took photos in front of a large painting of the artist and walked up the specially named "Swiftie Steps." Swift revealed that 88,446 fans were at Friday's show in what she described as "the most exciting city in the world."

Fans of Taylor Swift stand in front of the "Swiftie Steps" with their bracelets, which were created by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. This happened before the first London concert of the Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024. A photo of this moment was taken by Scott A Garfitt and shared by Invision/AP.

Swift delighted her fans by including a nod to her life in London in one of her two surprise solo acoustic performances. She started with a piano medley featuring the London-inspired "The Black Dog," followed by "Come Back, Be Here," and ending with "Maroon."

London is the sole city on the tour where Swift will be making two stops. Some fans are concerned that this may signal the end of something, while others believe it signifies a new phase in Swift’s relationship with the city. Whether “So Long, London” ends up being the last chapter or a finishing touch to her love letter to the city in the song “London Boy,” Eras is approaching as a significant emotional moment.

Maggie Fekete, a 22-year-old Canadian graduate student, mentioned that Taylor Swift's music helped her get used to living in London when she first moved there three years ago. She believes that Swift's relationship with London may change now and that there may be fewer references to the city in her music. This change makes Fekete feel a bit disappointed, as she has enjoyed those London references in Swift's songs.

Taylor Swift takes the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in the city of London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Stella Elgood, a 25-year-old Londoner, mentioned that she was expecting Taylor Swift to perform "So Long, London" during one of her eight shows in the city. She also added that Swift is always welcome in London.

"Ever since she started going out with Harry Styles, she's become a prominent figure in the popular culture," Elgood commented.

If you haven't been following closely, Swift had a number of relationships with well-known British individuals (including Styles in 2012) that came to an end last year, when she began dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The rumors surrounding "So Long, London" and a sad song that references a London pub, "The Black Dog," come from the 2023 split between Swift and English actor Joe Alwyn, who had been together for more than six years.

It is believed that Alwyn served as the inspiration for the song "London Boy" on Taylor Swift's 2019 album "Lover." In a special edition of the CD, a diary entry from January 2017 was included where Swift mentioned being mostly in London but trying to keep a low profile. Reports from British tabloids later stated that Swift spent a large portion of the COVID-19 pandemic staying with Alwyn in north London.

Fans of Taylor Swift gather outside Wembley Stadium to take a photo before the first London concert of the Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift's supporters gather in front of a mural, requested by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, prior to the opening show of the Eras Tour in London on June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

The Sun newspaper shared in December that the famous singer, who has won multiple Grammy awards, purchased a big property in the region and was renovating it to use as her main home in Europe. Following the release of Swift's latest album "The Tortured Poets Department" last month, a writer for the British version of ELLE magazine noted that the people of London were ready for a top American celebrity to become a new part of their culture.

"We used to have Swift until she went on her successful Eras Tour, but now it seems that Zendaya has taken her place," writer Naomi May jokingly suggested, noting the different places where the American actor has been seen with her boyfriend, British actor Tom Holland.

Taylor Swift takes the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo credit: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

In any case, the city is making a strong effort to ensure that Swift and her fans are well taken care of. Tour guides are providing tours on foot, bus, and taxi that follow the path she has taken, including a kebab shop where the owner claims to be providing sandwiches for the singer and her team on Friday.

Until August is over, fans of Taylor Swift can enjoy a variety of events inspired by the singer. There will be Swift-themed brunches, dance parties, and special rides on the London Eye Ferris wheel featuring a string quartet playing her songs. Souvenir shops in Camden Market, which is mentioned in Swift's song "London Boy," are selling hats, shirts, bags, and stickers all dedicated to the pop star.

Amy Unsworth, a 34-year-old woman from a small town close to Manchester, England, who was born a month before Swift, mentioned on Friday that the singer's connection to the U.K. goes beyond just London.

"I feel connected to her as a fellow Northerner," Unsworth mentioned. She pointed out that Swift composed several songs for her "Evermore" album in England's Lake District with Alwyn.

"It's difficult to gauge her current emotions since returning, considering her past experiences."

A person who likes Taylor Swift is wearing sunglasses, standing outside Wembley Stadium before her first concert in London. It is part of her Eras Tour, happening on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo by Lucy North/PA via AP)

A supporter stops to take a picture next to the Taylor Swift mural on a stairway outside Wembley Stadium before her debut London show on the Eras Tour. This event occurred on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo by Lucy North/PA via AP)

Taylor Swift takes the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Image by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Fans of Taylor Swift gather together to take pictures outside Wembley Stadium before the kick-off of the Eras Tour's first London show on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift supporters are pictured posing with their wristbands outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the inaugural London show of the Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift puts on a show at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift supporters gather to take a picture next to a mural, funded by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, prior to the start of the first Eras Tour show in London on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

A supporter stops to take a picture outside Wembley Stadium before Taylor Swift's debut show in London as part of her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Lucy North/PA via AP)

Taylor Swift takes the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift put on a show at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift puts on a show at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

A person wearing dark glasses stands outside Wembley Stadium before Taylor Swift's debut concert in London for her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Lucy North/PA via AP)

A person wearing shades is standing outside Wembley Stadium before Taylor Swift's inaugural London show on her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Lucy North/PA via AP)

A supporter takes a picture near a set of stairs featuring a picture of Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium before her inaugural London show on the Eras Tour. The event took place on June 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Lucy North/PA via AP)

A supporter stops to take a picture next to a stairway featuring Taylor Swift's picture, outside Wembley Stadium before her debut London show on the Eras Tour. This event took place in London on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo by Lucy North/PA via AP)

Taylor Swift is putting on a show at Wembley Stadium as part of her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift put on a show at Wembley Stadium as part of her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Fans of Taylor Swift are seen taking photos outside Wembley Stadium before the start of her Eras Tour concert in London on June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Fans of Taylor Swift gather to take pictures outside Wembley Stadium before the kickoff of the Eras Tour in London on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift enthusiasts proudly display their wristbands outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the inaugural London show of the Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in the UK capital. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift's supporters took pictures with their wristbands in front of Wembley Stadium ahead of the kick-off of the Eras Tour in London on June 21, 2024. (Image by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift gave a show at Wembley Stadium for her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo taken by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift had a concert at Wembley Stadium for her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. A photo was taken by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP.

Fans of Taylor Swift gather for a photo in front of a mural created by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, just before the first stop of the Eras Tour in London on June 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Fans of Taylor Swift gather to take a picture next to a mural created by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, ahead of the first concert of the Eras Tour in London on June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

A fan takes a picture outside Wembley Stadium before Taylor Swift's debut London show on her Eras Tour. The concert took place on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Lucy North/PA via AP)

A supporter stops to take a picture outside Wembley Stadium before Taylor Swift's debut London show on her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Lucy North/PA via AP)

Taylor Swift takes the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in the city of London. (Image captured by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift takes the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift took the stage at Wembley Stadium for her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. A photo was taken by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP.

Taylor Swift took the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift gave a performance at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. The photo was taken by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP.

Taylor Swift took the stage at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Unsworth believes that Swift will not abandon the UK. Swift expressed her gratitude to her British fans, acknowledging their unwavering support since the beginning of her music career. Swift made her debut performance in London at the age of 17, appearing at the student union of Kings College London.

"I believe she will return," Unsworth stated following Eras. "She has a large following of loyal fans, so it's unlikely she won't come back. She has gained a strong presence here, so abandoning us doesn't seem plausible."

Zachary Hourihane, who hosts a podcast about Taylor Swift called "Evolution of a Snake" and shares videos on YouTube and TikTok as Swiftologist, mentioned on Thursday that it's still unclear if Taylor will keep her honorary citizenship in London or decide to leave. Her loyal fans understand that only time will reveal Taylor's decision.

"Tayor often goes back over things she's already done. She doesn't like to let go of the past. Even when it seems like it's all over, she likes to revisit it," he explained. "Let's face it. Even if her relationship has ended, she has a solid reason to stay in London and opportunities to earn well there."