Taylor Swift is a big fan of painstakingly hiding Easter eggs in her music, as her most devoted fans can discover. And she is also a big fan of pen names (remember 'Nils Sjöberg' (opens in new tab)). So it's no wonder that Swift fans have already formed a theory about William Bowery, whom Swift credited as a co-writer on her surprise eighth album, folklore. Specifically, they believe that William Bowery is actually Swift's boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. Let me elaborate!

In an Instagram post announcing the then-imminent release of "folklore," Swift named four collaborators on the album, whom she called "musical heroes": The National's Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver William Bowery, and Jack Antonoff of Bleachers. Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver, and William Bowery of The National, and Jack Antonoff of The Bleachers. While Dessner, Bon Iver, and Antonoff have generated quite a few hits on Google searches, Bowery's name was largely unknown prior to the album's release.

So why would fans think that Bowery could be Joe Alwyn? Swift and his friends were quick to point out that one of Swift and Alwyn's first encounters was at the Bowery Hotel in New York City, where they went to see a Kings of Leon concert. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the Bowery was a rather special place for both men, which inspired the name "William Bowery."

In addition, the mysterious musician co-wrote two songs about folklore: "Exile" and "Betty," as reported by the Independent (open in new tab). Also, according to E! (opens in new tab), Joe Alwyn's mother is called Elizabeth, often abbreviated to Betty. Has Swiffey cracked the case? What does "Joe Alwyn is a songwriter on the side" mean, Taylor?