Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has become a massive fan of girlfriend Taylor Swift’s discography, but there is one song in particular that stands out for him. Kelce, who has been spotted attending multiple shows of Swift’s Eras Tour during their high-profile romance, recently shared which of her songs has captured his heart—and it’s not one of the typical hits featured regularly on the set list.
During an episode of the “New Heights” podcast on Wednesday, which Travis co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl winner revealed that the song he has “learned to love” is from Swift’s 2019 album, Lover. The track? “Death By a Thousand Cuts.”
“‘Death By a Thousand Cuts’ is one that I’ve learned to absolutely love,” Kelce admitted, surprising many fans given that the song is not one of the pop star’s mainstream hits. Instead, it’s a deep cut from an album that’s filled with love ballads and introspective lyrics, reflecting Swift’s emotional journey during that time.
Although the 14-time Grammy Award-winning artist has only performed “Death By a Thousand Cuts” a handful of times—including just three surprise appearances on the Eras Tour—it was a special rendition at NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ concert in 2019 that resonated most with Kelce.
“I’ve watched Tay’s NPR, her Tiny Desk, and she played it on that one, and that’s where I fell in love with it,” Kelce explained. He even humorously fumbled the acronym, calling it “NRP” before quickly correcting himself. Regardless, the sentiment behind his statement was clear—he is captivated by the intimacy and emotion of the performance.
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The conversation on the podcast began when a fan submitted a question asking Travis which Taylor Swift song he would choose if he could only listen to one for the rest of his life. Travis, a longtime Swift enthusiast, didn’t hesitate to mention one of her biggest hits, saying, “I mean, ‘Blank Space’ is a song that I’ll always listen to forever. It’s just unbelievable, everything about it.”
However, Kelce also took the opportunity to share his newfound appreciation for “Death By a Thousand Cuts,” expressing his admiration for the song’s storytelling and heartfelt lyrics.
He then went on to mention a few other tracks that have grown on him, including “The Alchemy,” a rumored track about their relationship from Swift’s latest album The Tortured Poets Department, and “Cowboy Like Me” from her 2020 album Evermore.
Jason Kelce, who was also part of the discussion, weighed in with his own favorite. The retired Philadelphia Eagles center playfully expressed his love for the song “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart,” another track from The Tortured Poets Department.
Jason’s affection for the song was no surprise to fans, as he has been seen enjoying it during Swift’s concerts, even revealing that his middle daughter, Elliotte, has also become fond of the track.
“I’m not even gonna go through all of her incredible hits,” Jason added, acknowledging the breadth of Swift’s catalog. “I think it just stops right there for me.” His statement reflects the challenge of narrowing down favorites from an artist as prolific as Taylor Swift.
This isn’t the first time Travis has publicly shared his admiration for Swift’s music. Back in May, the tight end revealed to PEOPLE his favorite track from The Tortured Poets Department. “I might be a little biased to ‘So High School,'” he confessed, referring to another track believed to be inspired by their relationship.
Swift’s songs often serve as glimpses into her personal life, and fans have speculated that several tracks from her latest album could be about her relationship with Kelce.
Travis Kelce’s evolving appreciation of Taylor Swift’s music is yet another testament to the couple’s growing bond.
As their relationship continues to blossom, it seems that Swift’s discography will remain a soundtrack to their love story, with even deeper cuts gaining special meaning along the way.
