The Kansas City Chiefs recently completed their first-round Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Thursday, giving star tight end Travis Kelce a well-earned Friday off to celebrate with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. The Grammy-winning artist announced on Friday that she has officially regained ownership of her entire music catalogue, having acquired full rights to her first six albums from Shamrock Capital, the private equity firm that previously purchased them from Big Machine Records. This milestone marks a significant moment in Swift’s career and gives fans fresh reason to celebrate, including Kelce, who has openly shared his favorite Taylor Swift songs over the past year.
Taylor Swift’s Reclaimed Music Rights
Swift’s latest announcement highlights her long-held ambition to own her creative work outright. After Shamrock Capital acquired her early albums from Big Machine Records, she negotiated to purchase the rights back completely. In a letter to her fans on her website, Swift expressed her deep gratitude and relief finally achieving full autonomy over her music catalogue.
“To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty reserved about it. To my fans, you know how important this has been to me,”
Swift wrote.
“All I’ve ever wanted was the opportunity to work hard enough to be able to purchase my music outright with no strings attached, no partnership, with full autonomy. I will be forever grateful to everyone at Shamrock Capital for being the first people to ever offer this to me.”
The Songs That Define Travis Kelce’s Playlist
Given the timing of this big announcement, it’s easy to imagine Kelce celebrating by listening to his favorite Taylor Swift tracks. Over several interviews in 2024, the Chiefs’ tight end has revealed specific songs he consistently enjoys, offering a glimpse into the music he admires most.
During a May 2024 interview, Kelce named three tracks that stand out for him: Blank Space, The Alchemy, and So High School. A month later, on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, he shared a slightly different list featuring Blank Space, Cruel Summer, and again, So High School. These interviews highlight four songs that Kelce frequently returns to.
In addition, during a November 2023 episode of the New Heights podcast, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, he was asked to pick one Taylor Swift song he could listen to forever. He quickly chose Blank Space, underscoring its lasting impact on him.
“’Blank Space’ is a song that I’ll always listen to forever,”
Kelce said.
“It’s just unbelievable. Everything about it.”
More Tracks That Resonated with Kelce
Besides Blank Space, Kelce has expressed admiration for several other Swift songs. He mentioned particularly liking Death By a Thousand Cuts, a song he grew fond of after seeing her performance at NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert in 2019.
“’Death By a Thousand Cuts’ is one I’ve learned to absolutely love,”
Kelce noted.
He’s also a big fan of Cowboy Like Me, adding to his list of favorites with enthusiasm.
“I mean, ‘The Alchemy,’ can’t go wrong with that one. That one’s a banger, or ‘So High School,’ I mean, who doesn’t like the feelings that gives you,”
Kelce said.
“And ‘Cowboy Like Me’ is another good one. Really big fan of ‘Cowboy Like Me.’”
The Complete Travis Kelce Playlist of Taylor Swift Favorites
For those wanting to celebrate Swift’s reclaimed music rights as Kelce might, the essential playlist includes these five tracks:
- Blank Space
- Cruel Summer
- So High School
- The Alchemy
- Cowboy Like Me
This selection showcases the songs that the football star has highlighted in interviews, each carrying its own significance for him. Notably, The Alchemy and So High School appear to contain subtle references to Kelce himself, adding a personal dimension to the playlist. Fans curious about those details can find further explanations surrounding these meaningful nods.
The Broader Impact of Swift’s Music Ownership
Taylor Swift’s reacquisition of her music catalogue represents a watershed moment in artists’ rights within the industry. Regaining control over her early work not only secures her creative legacy but also empowers her in directing the future of her music’s licensing and distribution. For Travis Kelce, this victory by his girlfriend likely feels even more special, deepening their connection through her artistry.
As Swift continues to reclaim ownership and expand her influence, fans—and Kelce alike—will undoubtedly continue to celebrate her evolving musical journey. Meanwhile, Kelce’s playlist offers a vibrant soundtrack reflecting both his admiration for Swift’s craft and their shared bond.