Culture

The Story Behind Taylor Swift’s Murder Mystery Song ‘no body no crime’ Is Actually Friendship

missing women, murder, revenge- a classic girls night!

by Merryana Salem  13 December 2020

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On this, the day of Taylor Swift’s 31st birthday, let us discuss the story behind evermore‘s murder mystery track, ‘no body, no crime.’

‘no body, no crime’ is the 6th track on evermore; Swift’s 2nd studio album of 2020, and ninth album overall. The track features Haim and tells the story of ‘Este,’ Este’s murder, and her friend’s efforts to avenge her.

The track is made in Swift’s signature country/pop fusion, along with a little bit of rock, thanks to the Haim sisters. There’s also a guilty husband with Haim’s haunting vocals and the creation of solid alibi for the impending revenge. Swift sings, ‘I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it.’

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Swift explained the song’s origins and collaborating with Haim, saying, “Working with the Haim sisters on ‘no body, no crime’ was pretty hilarious because it came about after I wrote a pretty dark murder mystery song and had named the character Este, because she’s the friend I have who would be stoked to be in a song like that.” By the way, Este just so happens to be the name of the oldest of the three Haim sisters.

Swift continued, “I had finished the song and was nailing down some lyric details and texted her, ‘You’re not going to understand this text for a few days but… which chain restaurant do you like best?’ and I named a few…”She chose Olive Garden and a few days later I sent her the song and asked if they would sing on it. It was an immediate ‘YES.”

Well, that explains the ‘Este wasn’t there/ Tuesday night at Olive Garden’ lyric, then.

Beyond her explanation for Entertainment Weekly, Swift also said in a live QnA for her music video ‘willow’ that, ” I wrote ‘No body, no crime’ by myself. It was inspired by my obsession with true crime podcasts/documentaries and I used one of my best friends’ names as the main character.”

Collaborating with your good friends on a song you wrote about a woman going missing and being avenged? A woman you named after one of said good friends? Just a typical girls night for Miss Swift, it seems.

evermore is streaming now.