Why Do Fans Think Phoebe Bridgers Shaded Gracie Abrams On Her New Album?

Phoebe Bridgers appears to have taken a swipe at Gracie Abrams in a song from her upcoming album, Lost Weekend.

The two musicians were previously friends, with Gracie even serving as the opening act on Phoebe’s Reunion Tour in 2021, and later citing the Kyoto singer as one of her musical inspirations.

However, it seems their relationship has soured since Gracie started dating Phoebe’s ex, Paul Mescal, if lyrics from her upcoming third studio album are anything to go by.

Ahead of Lost Weekend’s release on Friday 14 August, a review from The Guardian teased lyrics from one song, titled The Governor’s Waltz, that both the newspaper’s critic and fans think are about Gracie.

On the new track, Phoebe is heard singing: “She can pretend to be me. Since she took my place in my bed, on that stage.”

In its review, The Guardian suggested this lyric “could be interpreted as a swipe at Mescal’s current partner, Gracie Abrams”.

This led to a frenzy on social media with people theorising about what the lyrics really mean, and what might have gone on between the two singers.

Phoebe and Paul dated for around two years before their break-up in 2022, with Gracie starting to date the Normal People actor two years later.

Since then, the new couple have made numerous red carpet appearances together, with the Aftersun actor even contributing a song to Gracie’s new record.

Phoebe’s bed-related lyric on The Governor’s Waltz may also relate to a certain set of space-themed sheets.

Users of the gossip-centric Fauxmoi subreddit have noted that Gracie used a bedroom set prop in a recent live performance, featuring a bedframe and sheets that closely resemble those of Phoebe’s childhood bedroom.

Elsewhere on her new album, Phoebe also appears to reveal that she and Paul were set to marry before their relationship ended, with The Guardian writing that “the title track confirms that they were, as rumoured, engaged (‘I’m supposed to be married but I called it off’)”.

Phoebe’s supposed dig could also be a retaliation to songs on Gracie’s 2024 album The Secret Of Us, which some fans interpreted to have been inspired by her new boyfriend’s previous relationship.

Since the speculation began with the publication of The Guardian’s review on Wednesday, none of the parties involved have commented publicly.