The record-breaking Eras Tour has been an emotional experience for Taylor Swift, but after one particular performance on June 10th, it seems that her outside life may be playing a part in those feelings, too: the singer appeared to wipe away a tear after performing her 2008 song “Breathe,” which includes lyrics like “I can’t breathe without you, but I have to.”
Some think the intense performance has to do with Taylor’s alleged breakup with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, following quickly on the heels of the dissolution of her engagement to actor Joe Alwyn.
surprise song #2: Breathe #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/ybFROcZmc4
— mads (@mad_queeen) June 11, 2023
Taylor Sings Song With Lyric, ‘It’s The Kinda Ending You Don’t Really Wanna See’ During Eras Tour
Taylor appeared in Detroit, Michigan for a two-night stand, with the performance of “Breathe” landing on the second evening. The song, which was a surprise to fans, appeared on the singer’s second album, Fearless, and was written when she was just 18 years old.
In videos and photos captured of the performance from the audience, it appears that Taylor wipes away a tear after finishing the song and smiling out at the audience, still seated at the piano. Though there's no confirmation she was indeed crying, it looks that way in video footage:
SHE WAS FULL ON CRYING PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIP IS SO STRONG RIGHT NOW I MIGHT K WORD A MAN pic.twitter.com/5ubv48sOOu
— le (@cowboylikehale) June 11, 2023
The Eras Tour launched in March, with the Grammy-winning singer regularly breaking ticket and attendance records during the string of engagements. News of her split from fiancé and boyfriend of 6 years Joe Alwyn leaked soon after, and this spring the "Shake it Off" songstress was linked to Matty Healy, a longtime friend who was spotted at all 3 of her Nashville shows and also exiting her apartment. Matty also attended Taylor's Philadelphia performance, and the two were seen holding hands just last month at members-only club Casa Cipriani in New York City.
However, it seems the Taylor-Matty romance is now done, with sources close to the pair confirming the split. Neither singer has confirmed any relationship, nor any breakup—and fans seem conflicted over whether Taylor's possible tears may be over the recent Matty heartbreak, or the possibly deeper one from Joe.
Fans Comment: Taylor Playing 'Breathe' At Concert 'Shattered My World'
Many of those in attendance at the Detroit show noted how Taylor appeared emotional at the end of "Breathe", commenting that it did indeed look like she was crying once the song was finished:
ya know, it’s funny cause there are people waking up today going to work, getting their groceries, cutting their lawns etc etc even though taylor swift played breathe yesterday and shattered my world
— C O U R T N E Y (@thespaceymama) June 11, 2023
god taylor sounded like was holding back tears the whole time she sang breathe :(
— liz (@AstoundingSwift) June 11, 2023
taylor swift crying during breathe made me want to launch myself off a roof
— tristan (@tristanfh_) June 11, 2023
Some Twitter Swifties also speculated who in Taylor's life the intense emotions may be about:
Taylor Swift singing AYHTDWS and Breathe for her surprise songs just confirmed my dislike for Joe Alywn
— mollyhammond (@mollymayhamm) June 11, 2023
Interestingly, the other song Taylor surprised Detroit fans with was "All You Had To Do Was Stay", which features lyrics like "Hey, all you had to do was stay, had me in the palm of your hand, then why'd you have to go and lock me out when I let you in?" Another intriguing song included in the set list that same night was "I Almost Do", which has evocative lines like "Asking me if I wanna try again with you—and I almost do."
