Taylor Swift, The Black Dog | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 33rd edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we highlight “The Black Dog” performed by Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 33^rd edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we break down “The Black Dog” performed by Taylor Swift.

“And I hope it’s shitty in The Black Dog / When someone plays ‘The Starting Line’ / And you jump up, but she’s too young to know this song.” Oh, snap, Taylor Swift! “The Black Dog” is the 17^th track on THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY. As always, the songwriting is on point – the expectation for a Swift-penned song. Swift produced the record alongside one of her go-to producers, Jack Antonoff.  The black dog referenced in this song is not a pet; it is a bar (“And so I watch as you walk / Into some bar called The Black Dog / And pierce new holes in my heart”).  Also, knowing the depth of Swift’s songwriting, there is a connection with the black dog of folklore which is NOT a good sign.

Taylor Swift experiences heartbreak made worse by her ex-boyfriend moving on when she can’t seem to. A sad Swift asserts, “And I may never open up the way I did for you.” Bummer.  Regretful, she adds in the second verse, “You said I needed a brave man / Then proceeded to play him / Until I believed it too / And it kills me.” Haunted by this black dog, by the bridge, Swift wishes to “hire a priest to come and exorcise my demons / Even if I die screaming / And I hope you hear it.” Simply put, in “The Black Dog”, Taylor Swift is “Down Bad” and that ain’t good.  “‘Cause old habits die screaming.” Indeed.  What isn’t bad is this song where Swift’s heartbreak is our listening pleasure.  A bit of schadenfreude?

Taylor Swift // THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY // Taylor Swift // 2024

Taylor Swift, The Black Dog: Bangerz N Bopz No. 33 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Taylor Swift; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]