{"id":15207,"date":"2026-07-24T01:24:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=15207"},"modified":"2026-07-24T01:24:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:24:22","slug":"the-truth-behind-gracie-abrams-song-has-finally-been-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=15207","title":{"rendered":"The Truth Behind Gracie Abrams&#8217; Song Has Finally Been Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aaron Dessner is setting the record straight about the real story behind <a href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Gracie-Abrams\"><strong>Gracie Abrams<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 \u201cDeath Wish.\u201d After the song\u2019s cutting lyrics prompted speculation that Abrams was inspired by something involving her close friend <a href=\"https:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Taylor-Swift\"><strong>Taylor Swift<\/strong><\/a>, Dessner firmly rejected the theory. The producer explained that the track was actually written about a friend\u2019s ex who was in a bad relationship. Abrams has not publicly revealed the person behind the song, but Dessner\u2019s close relationship with the singer gives his denial considerable weight.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-Departing-Zero-Bond-in-NYC-MEGA1451508_009-788x1156.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"0\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1156\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1156%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-Departing-Zero-Bond-in-NYC-MEGA1451508_009-788x1156.jpg\" alt=\"Taylor Swift Departing Zero Bond in NYC\" class=\"wp-image-823478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1156%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-Departing-Zero-Bond-in-NYC-MEGA1451508_009-788x1156.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=628%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-Departing-Zero-Bond-in-NYC-MEGA1451508_009-428x628.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dessner directly addressed the viral theory during an interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/music-news\/aaron-dessner-gracie-abrams-death-wish-noah-kahan-interview-1236299956\/\">Billboard<\/a>. \u201cDefinitely not. It was written at a time when [Gracie] was writing about a friend\u2019s ex being in a bad relationship,\u201d the 50-year-old producer explained. \u201cIt was kind of about that person, I think. I wouldn\u2019t even actually know who that person was.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dessner co-wrote and co-produced Abrams\u2019 new album, \u201cDaughter From Hell,\u201d which features \u201cDeath Wish.\u201d Although the producer seemingly understands the general circumstances that inspired the song, he admitted that he does not know the identity of the person at the center of it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-gracie-abrams-cutting-lyrics-sparked-the-fan-theory\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gracie Abrams\u2019 Cutting Lyrics Sparked The Fan Theory<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_006-788x1169.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"1\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1169\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1169%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_006-788x1169.jpg\" alt=\"Gracie Abrams at 2025 Grammy Awards - Arrivals\" class=\"wp-image-823486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1169%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_006-788x1169.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=635%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_006-428x635.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ZUMAPRESS.com \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Questions surrounding Swift\u2019s possible connection to \u201cDeath Wish\u201d emerged after listeners began analyzing its pointed lyrics. Throughout the track, Abrams describes a person associated with power trips, diamond rings, emotional detachment, and cruel words. She also questions how long a troubled relationship will last while accusing the unnamed subject of causing pain behind a smile.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abrams has not publicly explained who inspired the lyrics. However, fans on social media began questioning whether her friendship with Swift provided the song\u2019s underlying story. Dessner has now made it clear that Swift was not the inspiration, even if the mystery surrounding the actual subject remains intact.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-gracie-abrams-and-taylor-swift-have-been-close-since-2022\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gracie Abrams And Taylor Swift Have Been Close Since 2022<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-wears-a-striped-dress-as-leaving-The-Jane-Hotel-in-New-York-City-MEGA1446173_001-1-788x1182.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"2\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1182\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1182%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-wears-a-striped-dress-as-leaving-The-Jane-Hotel-in-New-York-City-MEGA1446173_001-1-788x1182.jpg\" alt=\"Taylor Swift wears a striped dress as leaving The Jane Hotel in New York City\" class=\"wp-image-823489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1182%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-wears-a-striped-dress-as-leaving-The-Jane-Hotel-in-New-York-City-MEGA1446173_001-1-788x1182.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=642%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Taylor-Swift-wears-a-striped-dress-as-leaving-The-Jane-Hotel-in-New-York-City-MEGA1446173_001-1-428x642.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fan theory gained traction partly because Abrams and Swift share a highly visible personal and professional relationship. The two singers have been close since 2022. Abrams then joined Swift as an opening act on the \u201cEras Tour\u201d the following year, an experience she compared to receiving an education in live performance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a real master class to watch her do what she does,\u201d Abrams said during an appearance on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbc.com\/nbc-insider\/gracie-abrams-taylor-swift-eras-tour-risk-performance\">\u201cThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon\u201d<\/a> in 2024.  \u201cI felt like I was at college for this job. I watched every single one of her shows that I was lucky enough to open. I watched from every place possible in each stadium, just trying to pick up on how she\u2019s able to do what she does.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their creative relationship later produced \u201cUs.\u201d from Abrams\u2019 album \u201cThe Secret of Us.\u201d The collaboration received a Grammy nomination at the 2025 ceremony. Their connection also extends beyond the recording studio, as Abrams was among the guests at Swift\u2019s star-studded wedding to <a href=\"https:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Travis-Kelce\"><strong>Travis Kelce<\/strong><\/a> earlier this month.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-aaron-dessner-shares-a-close-bond-with-abrams\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aaron Dessner Shares A Close Bond With Abrams<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_015-788x525.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"3\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=525%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_015-788x525.jpg\" alt=\"Gracie Abrams at 2025 Grammy Awards - Arrivals\" class=\"wp-image-823491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=525%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_015-788x525.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=285%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2025-Grammy-Awards-Arrivals-MEGA1264215_015-428x285.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ZUMAPRESS.com \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abrams and Swift also share a professional connection through Dessner, who has worked with both artists. The producer said that collaborating with Abrams for more than six years has allowed their relationship to evolve beyond simply making music together.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGracie and I have worked together for more than six years now, and you kind of grow together, and there\u2019s a lot of experience that has nothing to do with making songs,\u201d Dessner told Billboard. \u201cShe\u2019s very aware of my personal life, and I\u2019m of course aware of hers; she\u2019s close with my kids, for example.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of that closeness, Dessner believes he would generally understand the experiences behind Abrams\u2019 songwriting. That does not mean the pair explicitly discuss the identity of every person referenced in her music.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-the-producer-prefers-to-preserve-some-mystery\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Producer Prefers To Preserve Some Mystery<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iHeartRadio-Q102aposs-Jingle-Ball-2024-Show-MEGA1248359_009-788x525.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"4\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=525%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iHeartRadio-Q102aposs-Jingle-Ball-2024-Show-MEGA1248359_009-788x525.jpg\" alt=\"Gracie Abrams singing\" class=\"wp-image-823500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=525%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iHeartRadio-Q102aposs-Jingle-Ball-2024-Show-MEGA1248359_009-788x525.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=285%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iHeartRadio-Q102aposs-Jingle-Ball-2024-Show-MEGA1248359_009-428x285.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matt Bishop\/imageSPACE \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dessner explained that he avoids directly interrogating his collaborators about the people who inspired their lyrics, even when he offers feedback on their writing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think, naturally, if she writes something, I\u2019ll know. But we don\u2019t really talk about it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s weird. It\u2019s kind of unsaid. I would say the same thing for other people I\u2019ve worked with. [I\u2019m] giving feedback at times, lyrically, but I tend to \u2026 you don\u2019t want to be like, \u2018Well, you\u2019re talking about this, right?\u2019 It\u2019s more mysterious not to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The identity behind \u201cDeath Wish\u201d may therefore remain unknown unless Abrams decides to address it herself. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aaron Dessner is setting the record straight about the real story behind Gracie Abrams\u2019 \u201cDeath Wish.\u201d After the song\u2019s cutting lyrics prompted speculation that Abrams was inspired by something involving her close friend Taylor Swift, Dessner firmly rejected the theory. The producer explained that the track was actually written about a friend\u2019s ex who was&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2024-iHeartRadio-Z100s-Jingle-Ball-MEGA1243294_056-scaled-1200x675.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15207"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15207\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}