Travis Kelce’s American Pie Memory Brings Taylor Swift’s ‘So High School’ Lyric to Life on The Tortured Poets Department

April 16, 2025 – Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, recently shared a nostalgic childhood memory on his podcast New Heights that has Swifties buzzing—and it’s all thanks to a subtle connection to Taylor Swift’s 2024 album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD). During the Wednesday episode, Kelce recounted sneaking into the 1999 R-rated comedy American Pie at the age of 10, a story that aligns perfectly with a lyric in Swift’s song “So High School,” widely believed to be inspired by their high-profile romance. The revelation has fans swooning over the couple’s shared moments, further cementing their status as one of pop culture’s most beloved pairs.

A Nostalgic Movie Memory Sparks a Connection

Kelce, 35, shared the anecdote while chatting with his brother and co-host Jason Kelce, 37, about their first experiences with R-rated movies. “The one I remember watching that I didn’t even realize was rated R was American Pie, and that was when we were, like, 10,” Travis recalled, laughing as he admitted he likely got into the theater without his parents, Ed and Donna Kelce, knowing. “I forget how I got in,” he added. “I might have been there with someone else’s parents.”

The story might have been a simple trip down memory lane for the NFL star, but for Taylor Swift fans, it was a golden Easter egg. In her song “So High School” from TTPD: The Anthology, released in April 2024, Swift sings, “I’m watching American Pie with you on a Saturday night.” The lyric paints a picture of a cozy, playful date night, and Kelce’s podcast confession seems to confirm that the song is indeed a tribute to their relationship. Fans were quick to spot the connection, with one social media user tweeting the podcast clip alongside Swift’s lyric, sending the internet into a frenzy.

So High School: A Love Letter to Travis Kelce

“So High School” is one of several tracks on TTPD believed to be inspired by Kelce, whom Swift has been dating since the summer of 2023. The song captures the giddy, youthful energy of new love, with lyrics that reference Kelce’s football career—“You know how to ball, I know Aristotle”—and even a nod to a 2016 viral video where Kelce played “Kiss, Marry, Kill,” choosing to kiss Swift, marry Katy Perry, and kill Ariana Grande. Another lyric in the song, “Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me?” directly references that moment, showcasing Swift’s knack for weaving personal details into her music.

Kelce himself has been vocal about his love for the track. In a May 2024 interview with People, he revealed that “So High School” was his favorite song from TTPD, though he admitted to being “a little biased.” The album also features another track, “The Alchemy,” which includes football references like “touch down” and “winning streak,” further hinting at Kelce’s influence on Swift’s songwriting during this chapter of her life.

The Tortured Poets Department: A Cultural Juggernaut

The Tortured Poets Department has been a massive success since its release, solidifying Taylor Swift’s reign as a global superstar. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), TTPD was the best-selling album of 2024, moving 5.6 million copies worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the album racked up 1.6 million album-equivalent units in just four days, per Luminate’s midyear report, and amassed 2.753 billion streams in the first half of the year, outpacing Morgan Wallen’s One Thing At a Time by 500 million streams. The album’s success reflects Swift’s unparalleled ability to connect with fans, especially during a time when her relationship with Kelce has kept her in the spotlight.

Swift’s Eras Tour, which Kelce has attended multiple times—including a memorable stop in Buenos Aires in November 2023—further amplified the album’s cultural impact. The couple’s public appearances, from Coachella (where Swift wore a “New Heights” cap) to the U.S. Open in September 2024, have only added fuel to the fascination with their romance, making TTPD’s personal lyrics all the more captivating for fans.

A Love Story Rooted in Shared Moments

Kelce’s American Pie story isn’t just a fun anecdote—it’s a window into the kind of shared experiences that have defined his relationship with Swift. The couple’s journey began in mid-2023, sparked by a friendship bracelet Kelce tried to give Swift at one of her Eras Tour shows, as detailed in a timeline by TODAY. Since then, they’ve been inseparable, supporting each other’s careers while navigating the glare of public attention. Kelce has cheered Swift on from the crowd at her concerts, and Swift has been a fixture at Chiefs games, including the Super Bowl in 2024, where Kelce and his team secured another victory.

Their relationship has also been a source of inspiration for Swift’s music, with TTPD offering fans a glimpse into the highs and lows of her emotional world. While some tracks, like the title song, are rumored to be about a past relationship with Matty Healy (as noted by Genius Lyrics), songs like “So High School” and “The Alchemy” celebrate the joy and playfulness of her bond with Kelce. The American Pie reference, in particular, captures the lighthearted side of their connection, showing how even a silly movie from Kelce’s childhood can become a meaningful part of their love story.

Fans React: Swifties Can’t Get Enough

The internet has been abuzz with reactions to Kelce’s podcast revelation, with fans flooding social media to share their excitement. “Travis talking about American Pie and Taylor singing about watching it with him—this is peak romance,” one fan wrote on X. Another added, “The way Taylor weaves these little moments into her songs… ‘So High School’ just hits different now.” The clip from New Heights has racked up thousands of views, with Swifties dissecting every detail for more clues about the couple’s dynamic.

For many, the story is a reminder of why Swift and Kelce’s relationship resonates so deeply. Their ability to find joy in the small things—like a shared love for goofy comedies—has endeared them to fans who see their romance as a modern fairy tale. As one fan put it, “Travis sneaking into American Pie at 10 and now inspiring Taylor’s music in 2024… this is the kind of full-circle moment we live for.”

What’s Next for Taylor and Travis?

As of April 2025, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship shows no signs of slowing down. With the Eras Tour continuing to break records and Kelce gearing up for another NFL season, the couple remains a powerhouse in their respective fields. Their ability to balance fame, career, and romance has made them a fan-favorite duo, and moments like the American Pie connection only add to their charm.

For now, Swifties and Kelce fans alike are content to revel in the magic of “So High School” and the real-life love story behind it. Whether they’re watching old movies on a Saturday night or cheering each other on from the sidelines, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce continue to prove that their romance is one for the ages—and for the charts.