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Taylor Swift is sending a message to her ex-boyfriend as her wedding to Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs approaches.
Taylor Swift had a jam-packed year in 2025, as the musician not only released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” with chart-topping success but also got engaged to her boyfriend, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
So, Swift is still making waves with “The Life of a Showgirl” in 2026, even though the album came out in October 2025. On Friday, February 20, Swift’s single off the album, “Opalite,” debuted on both the Official Physical Singles and Official Vinyl Singles charts.
That single, Swift explains, is a celebration of life, both the good and the bad. “When we go through something that doesn’t work out, we oftentimes look at it as this major setback, like we’ve taken a step back,” she said during an interview with Hits Radio. “But I’ve found that so many of those instances in my life can catapult you forward in growth, in wisdom, in perspective.”
She added of the track, “‘Opalite’ is a song about forgiving yourself for having gone through something that didn’t pan out the way you wanted it to. It’s giving yourself permission to not have it all figured out or not marry the first person you ever dated.”
Taylor Swift’s Ex-Boyfriend is Next to Her on the Charts as Travis Kelce Wedding Approaches
As Swift’s wedding to Kelce nears, she’s found herself next to a familiar name on the charts: electronic dance producer Calvin Harris. He’s one of her ex-boyfriends, of course, and has a song out with rock band Kasabian called “Release the Pressure.”
Harris’ song would have been No. 1 on the charts this week, but it’s not. Instead, Swift’s “Opalite” is No. 1. Talk about the sweetest revenge. It’s worth noting that Harris and Kasabian’s song is debuting on the charts and a new song, so it says something that Swift, with a song that’s months old at this point, still beat them.
The timing was specific, too, because “Opalite” is No. 1 thanks to a promotional push that included remixes. So, if she hadn’t decided to release these remises now, Harris would likely be No. 1. That’s quite the message.
Taylor Swift’s Song ‘Opalite’ Has to Do With Travis Kelce
So, what’s the meaning behind “Opalite?” Speaking about “Opalite” in an interview with Capital FM in October 2025, Swift said the song had a symbolic meaning that has to do with Kelce.
“Travis’ birthstone is an opal, so I’ve always fixated on that, I’ve always loved that stone,” she said. “I thought it was kind of cool metaphor. [Opalite is] a man-made opal, and happiness can also be man-made, too. So, that’s kind of what the song is about, kind of the juxtaposition of those two.”
On his podcast “New Heights” with his brother, Jason, Kelce said of the song, “I think ‘Opalite’ might be my favorite, at least right now. Every time it comes on, I always catch myself.”
He added that it’s “just still so poetic in her melodies and her references” and that it’s “just so much fun to listen to, man. I’ve been dancing throughout the house.”
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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