In 2020, Taylor Swift collaborated with her former boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, on the ballad “Exile,” which appears on her album Folklore as a duet with Bon Iver. At the time of the album’s release, Joe was credited under the pseudonym William Bowery, but Taylor later confirmed that William and Joe were one and the same during her Disney+ concert film, Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. Taylor revealed that Joe had written the entire piano part for the song, along with singing the lyrics, which include lines like “I can see you standin’ honey/With his arms around your body/Laughin’ but the joke’s not funny at all.” She described Joe as always being creative and playing around with ideas, and the couple may have never worked together if it weren’t for the COVID-19 shutdown.
Taylor shared that she proposed the idea of writing a song together to Joe during quarantine, acknowledging that it could be a strange experience given their relationship. However, they decided to give it a try, and the result was the creation of “Exile,” which went on to win Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammys. Taylor expressed her pride in the song, stating that all she had to do was come up with lyrics and a story to write with Joe in order to create a heartfelt and emotional track. The collaboration helped them connect professionally and led to a successful outcome at the prestigious awards show.
The process of writing and producing “Exile” with Joe during quarantine allowed Taylor to explore a different side of their relationship and collaborate in a new way. Despite the potential challenges of working together in such circumstances, Taylor and Joe were able to create a powerful and moving song that resonated with listeners. Taylor noted that their collaboration on the track showcased their ability to work together creatively and achieve success in the industry, culminating in their Grammy win for Album of the Year.
For Taylor, working with Joe on “Exile” was a rewarding and fulfilling experience, as it allowed her to express her emotions and tell a meaningful story through music. The song’s lyrics and melodies captured the depth of their collaboration and highlighted their ability to create powerful and evocative music together. Taylor credited Joe for his contributions to the song, emphasizing his role in writing the piano part and singing on the track, which added a unique and personal touch to the final result.
Overall, the collaboration between Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn on “Exile” was a significant and impactful moment in both of their careers, showcasing their talent and creativity as artists. Their work together on the song demonstrated their ability to connect on a professional level and create meaningful music that resonated with audiences. The success of “Exile,” including its Grammy win, solidified their partnership and highlighted the potential for future collaborations between the two talented individuals. As they continue to grow and evolve as artists, Taylor and Joe’s work on “Exile” stands as a testament to their unique and innovative approach to songwriting and music production.
