London — "And so, I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog and pierce new holes in my heart."
As Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" album continues breaking records, that ambiguous reference in the song "The Black Dog" has elevated a small London pub of the same name to new heights.
The moody lyrics from the 34-year-old superstar allude to watching an ex-partner who had forgotten to turn off his location setting on his phone going to the bar.
As soon as the album — which by Thursday had broken Spotify's streaming record with more than 1 billion streams — dropped last week, devoted fans of the American songstress nailed down the whereabouts of the unassuming British watering hole, and they descended upon it.
It didn't take self-proclaimed Swifties long to establish that her British ex-boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn, lives near Vauxhall, not far from the local pub.
"We have had to turn customers away every single day since the release of the album. It's been a fantastic experience for the pub and our team to be a part of," Amy Crowley, a marketing manager for The Black Dog, told CBS News on Wednesday.
The pub has capitalized on its recent fame by incorporating Taylor Swift-themed drinks and food into its menu. Additionally, the business has started selling merchandise, Crowley mentioned.
CBS News encountered some of Swift's biggest fans who made the journey to The Black Dog and were delighted to try an "Aperol Spritz (Taylor's Version)" cocktail.
Gracie and Ethan, siblings from Texas, spending their only day on vacation in the U.K., felt compelled to visit the location due to its association with their cultural icon.
"We went to the Crown Jewels, [we have] Les Mis tonight, and then The Black Dog — which is all on the same level of importance," they said jokingly.
London-based artist and Swift enthusiast Chris Lloyd was sketching the pub's facade as we approached.
"I think it's amazing that she has intertwined a bit of London into her music and her story," he remarked. "It's special because you can see the local Swifties here in London feeling a bit closer to her, a bit more connected."
New York-native sisters Jaquelyn and Daniella even got permanent tattoos to showcase their love for Swift while holidaying in London.
During a recent interview, Daniella shared the story behind the matching tattoos she and her sister got, inspired by Taylor Swift. "We actually got matching tattoos inspired by Taylor here - I love you to moon and to Saturn, which is from the song 'Seven,'" Daniella explained. "So my sister got the moon, and I got Saturn, for Taylor."
