Why the It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song My Tears Ricochet actually fits the movie perfectly

It finally happened. After years of fans making TikTok edits and manifesting a crossover, we actually got an It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song in the official trailer for the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's massive bestseller. When those first haunting notes of "my tears ricochet" started playing over the footage of Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. It wasn't just a random pop pick. It felt like a deliberate nod to the millions of readers who had already soundtracked the book with Taylor's folklore and evermore albums in their heads.

The choice of "my tears ricochet" is heavy. Honestly, it’s darker than what some casual viewers might have expected for a movie that, on the surface, looks like a standard floral-shop romance. But if you've read the book, you know. You know the "It Ends With Us" story isn't a fairy tale. It’s a grueling, messy, and often painful look at domestic cycles and the impossible choices someone has to make to break them.

The specific Taylor Swift track used in the movie

Let’s be clear: "my tears ricochet" is the definitive It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song from the promotional campaign. It’s the fifth track on folklore, an album Swift released during the 2020 lockdowns. Taylor has famously described the song as being about a "ghostly" figure haunting their own wake, looking at the person who destroyed them and asking why they’re still there mourning.

In the context of Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid, that resonance is terrifyingly accurate.

Blake Lively, who is famously close friends with Taylor Swift, likely had a hand in this. It’s no secret that Blake and Ryan Reynolds are part of Taylor’s inner circle. During the press tour, Blake mentioned how the song perfectly captures the "vibe" of the story. It’s not about a happy breakup. It’s about a betrayal so deep that it feels like a haunting. When Ryle—played by Justin Baldoni—starts showing his true colors in the film, the lyrics about "I didn't have it in myself to go with grace" take on a literal, physical meaning.

Why fans were convinced it would happen

The crossover between "CoHo" (Colleen Hoover) fans and "Swifties" is basically a circle. If you go on Goodreads or TikTok, you’ll see thousands of playlists dedicated to Lily Bloom. Almost every single one of them features Taylor Swift. Before the movie was even cast, fans were using "cardigan," "exile," and "tolerate it" to describe the relationship between Lily, Ryle, and Atlas Corrigan.

When the news broke that a Taylor Swift song would be in the movie, people weren't surprised—they were relieved. It felt like the production team finally understood the assignment. They weren't just making a movie; they were tapping into a specific cultural zeitgeist where music and literature have become inseparable.

Breaking down the lyrics against the plot

If you look closely at the lyrics of the It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song, the parallels are everywhere. Take the line: "And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?"

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In the story, Ryle often fluctuates between outbursts of anger/violence and intense, sobbing remorse. He "mourns" the relationship even as he is the one actively killing it. Lily has to sit there and watch him grieve the very thing he destroyed. It’s a toxic cycle that many survivors of domestic abuse recognize instantly. The song doesn't frame the situation as a simple "bad guy" scenario; it frames it as a tragic, ghostly aftermath of what used to be love.

Then there’s the bridge. Taylor sings about "turning into your worst fears."

For Lily Bloom, her biggest fear was repeating the life of her mother. She grew up watching her father abuse her mother, and she spent her whole life promising herself she’d never let that happen. When it starts happening with Ryle—the man who seemed perfect—she is literally living out her worst nightmare. The "It Ends With Us" title itself refers to the end of that cycle. Using a song about "ricocheting" tears—where the pain you cause someone else eventually comes back to hit you—is a genius move by the music supervisors.

Was there more than one song?

While "my tears ricochet" dominated the trailer and the early marketing, people kept hunting for a second It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song. Rumors swirled about "evermore" or even something from The Tortured Poets Department.

The film's soundtrack is actually quite eclectic. It features artists like Birdy, Post Malone, and Lana Del Rey. But Taylor’s presence is the anchor. Even if only one song made the final cut, it defined the entire tonal identity of the film’s release. It signaled to the audience that this wasn't going to be a "fluff" movie. It was going to be an emotional wrecking ball.

The Blake Lively and Taylor Swift connection

You can't talk about the It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song without talking about the friendship behind the scenes. Blake and Taylor have been "best friend goals" for over a decade. Taylor even used the names of Blake’s children (James, Inez, and Betty) in her song "betty."

When it came time to market It Ends With Us, Blake knew exactly how to reach the core demographic. By securing a folklore track, she didn't just get a song; she got an endorsement. She got the attention of the most powerful fandom in music.

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It's also worth noting that Taylor doesn't just hand out her songs for free or to projects she doesn't believe in. She is notoriously protective of her licensing, especially after the whole masters' controversy. The fact that she allowed "my tears ricochet" to be the face of the film says a lot about her support for the project and for Blake’s performance as Lily.

Misconceptions about the soundtrack

A lot of people think that the It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song was written for the movie. It wasn't.

• Release Date: "my tears ricochet" came out in 2020.
• The Book: It Ends With Us was published in 2016.
• The Movie: Released in 2024.

The song predates the film by years. It's just one of those rare instances where a piece of music and a piece of literature share the exact same DNA despite being created at different times. Another misconception is that the song is about a romantic breakup. While it works for Lily and Ryle, Taylor has actually hinted that the song was inspired by her fallout with her former record label head, Scott Borchetta. It’s about a professional and personal betrayal. However, the beauty of Taylor’s songwriting is its elasticity. It fits the domestic drama of Lily Bloom just as well as it fits a corporate feud.

How music impacts the "It Ends With Us" legacy

Movies like this live or die by their emotional resonance. Without the right music, a scene of a woman leaving her husband can feel clinical. With "my tears ricochet" playing, it feels like an epic tragedy.

The inclusion of the It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song also helped the movie navigate some of the controversies surrounding it. There was a lot of online chatter about the "tonal" issues with the marketing—some people felt the movie was being promoted like a fun romantic comedy (the "wear your florals" trend) while the subject matter was actually quite grim. The Taylor Swift song served as a "reality check" in the trailers. It reminded people that the core of the story is grief and survival.

What about Atlas?

Some fans argue that a different It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song should have been used for Atlas Corrigan, Lily's first love. Atlas represents safety and "the one that got away."

Songs like "invisible string" or "peace" are often cited as "Atlas songs." While they didn't make it into the official movie, the fans have filled that gap themselves. The "Swiftie-Hoover" ecosystem is largely self-sustaining. If the movie doesn't provide the song, the fans will just make a mashup on TikTok that gets 5 million views anyway.

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How to find the official soundtrack

If you're looking for the full list of music beyond just the It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song, the official soundtrack is available on Spotify and Apple Music. It’s a mix of indie-folk and moody pop that mirrors the "dark academia" and "Pacific Northwest" aesthetic of the film’s setting.

1. Open your streaming app of choice.
2. Search for "It Ends With Us Official Motion Picture Soundtrack."
3. Look for the "my tears ricochet" track—it's usually the one with the most plays.

Interestingly, the movie uses the song during a pivotal transition. It’s not just background noise. It’s woven into the sound design to emphasize the weight of Lily’s decisions.

Final takeaways for fans

The presence of Taylor Swift in the It Ends With Us universe isn't a marketing gimmick. It’s the culmination of years of fan culture. For many, Taylor Swift’s music and Colleen Hoover’s books are the two pillars of modern "sad girl" media. They both deal with the complexities of being a woman, the pain of love, and the strength it takes to walk away.

If you're heading into a rewatch or picking up the book for the first time, keep these things in mind:

• Listen to the lyrics of the bridge. It explains the Ryle/Lily dynamic better than any dialogue could.
• Look at the cinematography. Notice how the lighting gets colder when the song starts to swell.
• Pay attention to the credits. The placement of music often tells you which character the director wants you to sympathize with most.

The It Ends With Us Taylor Swift song isn't just a track on a list. It’s the emotional heartbeat of the story. It validates the pain of the characters while giving the audience a familiar voice to hold onto while things get difficult on screen. Whether you're a Swiftie or just a moviegoer, the impact of that song is undeniable. It transformed a standard adaptation into a cultural event.

To get the most out of the experience, try listening to the full folklore album after watching the film. You'll start to see Lily Bloom in almost every track, from the "mad woman" who's had enough to the girl in "seven" who just wanted to be safe. It’s a rabbit hole, but for fans of this story, it’s one worth falling down.

Check your local listings or streaming platforms to see the film and hear the track in its full, cinematic context. Don't forget the tissues. You're definitely going to need them when the chorus hits.