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Taylor Swift's Emotional Tribute to Late High School Friend
16 Oct
Summary
- Taylor Swift's new song "Ruin the Friendship" references her late high school friend Jeff Lang
- Lang's mother says Swift is "keeping his name alive" and they were "really good friends"
- Swift honored Lang in her 2010 BMI Awards acceptance speech after his passing
In October 2025, Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, which includes the song "Ruin the Friendship." This track references Swift's late high school friend, Jeff Lang, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 21 while a junior at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.
Lang's mother, Susan, has spoken out about the song, saying she is "amazed" that Swift "hasn't forgotten about him" and that the singer is "keeping his name alive." Susan keeps a framed photo of her son and Swift in her home, and she describes them as "really good friends" who "hung out at her house a lot" and "were always joking around with each other."
The lyrics of "Ruin the Friendship" indicate that Swift had lingering feelings for Lang, even though she went to prom with a different date. The song concludes with the lines "But I whispered at the grave, Should've kissed you anyway," advising listeners to take chances in life.
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This is not the first time Swift has paid tribute to her late friend. In 2010, when she was honored as country songwriter of the year at the BMI Awards, Swift thanked Lang in her acceptance speech, saying, "Yesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends, and he was 21. I used to play my songs for him first."
