The fact that she collaborated with actors on her album is not surprising, as she has a long history of working with actors in her music videos.
Taylor Swift, renowned for her ability to craft Grammy-winning songs single-handedly, often seeks the input of a select few collaborators in her musical endeavors. Although her ex-partner of six years, Joe Alwyn, appeared in a few songs on her album “Midnights,” he wasn’t the only actor to lend a hand in Swift’s most recent musical effort.
Swift and Alwyn have been in a relationship since 2016, but they initially kept their romance low-key, making their first public appearance as a couple in 2018. However, they called it quits this year, 2023. Still, as their bond thrives then, it becomes evident that they share a common interest: songwriting.
Alwyn, well known for his parts in “The Favourite,” “Conversations with Friends,” and “Catherine Called Birdy,” is not just a skilled actor but also a gifted musician. Meanwhile, observant fans of Swift’s 2020 albums, “folklore” and “evermore,” noticed a mysterious figure named William Bowery, credited as a co-writer on several tracks, including “exile,” “betty,” “champagne problems,” “coney island,” and “evermore.”
Swift’s devoted following quickly realized that William Bowery was actually Alwyn’s alias. The name “Bowery” bears homage to the Bowery Hotel, where Swift and Alwyn had one of their first dates, while “William” honors the actor’s composer grandfather.
Swift also acknowledged that Joe Alwyn, her then-lover, was, in fact, William Bowery during the Disney+ special “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.” She clarified the debate about Bowery’s identity by saying, “William Bowery is Joe, as we know.”
Swift sought Alwyn’s help once more when it came time to work together on her album “Midnights,” which was published on October 21, 2022. This time, their efforts produced the tender love ballad “Sweet Nothing,” which seems to express the spirit of their then-relationship. However, Alwyn wasn’t the only actor that helped Swift out on the songs of “Midnights.”
Fans were surprised to see Zo Kravitz’s name featured on the album’s tracklist. The accomplished performer, well known for her part in “The Batman,” is also a great musician and the lead singer of the band LOLAWOLF. The album’s first tune, “Lavender Haze,” which has Kravitz listed as a songwriter, expresses Swift’s annoyance with public speculation about her private life while highlighting her love for Alwyn’s lack of concern for such accusations.
In addition to authoring the songs, Kravitz contributed backing vocals to the additional tracks “Lavender Haze” and “Glitch,” which were included on the album’s 3 am version. Having been longtime friends, Swift and Kravitz found a way to intertwine their creative talents.
Another actor who answered Swift’s request for participation is Dylan O’Brien, who became acquainted with the pop phenomenon when she hired him for last year’s “All Too Well: The Short Film.” An avid Swift fan, O’Brien jumped at the chance to be a part of the “Midnights” album.
O’Brien is listed as the drummer on the song “Snow on the Beach (feat. Lana Del Rey).” He had originally wanted to play drums in the band Slow Kids At Play, but he had to leave when his acting career took off. He also played a part in a group of people who could be heard applauding and cheering in the background of the song “Question…?” which added to the track’s energetic atmosphere. Along with O’Brien, the trio also consists of Swift’s brother Austin and Rachel Antonoff, sister of author and producer Jack Antonoff.
Swift discussed her love of teaming up with her friends on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” noting the importance of the experience as well as the caliber of the result. With performers like Alwyn, Kravitz, and O’Brien contributing their unique skills to the mix, “Midnights” is a monument to the strength of creative friendship and camaraderie in the music industry.
