Is Taylor Swift's song 'Babylon' named for the Long Island town?

Pop star Taylor Swift dropped a new version of her latest studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," on Friday titled "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore," featuring four new bonus tracks. The last song, "Babylon," is causing a stir on Long Island because some fans think Swift is referencing Suffolk County's South Shore village.

"In the song, she said, ‘[But] You wake up on the train with your headphones gone and then that melody is all you want. You never knew that it was Babylon 'til it was gone,’ ” Babylon merchant Joseph DeBello told Newsday. "I literally took to Google and asked if there is any other Babylon, city, county or town, that’s near a train station. Google said, ‘No,’ therefore I really think it’s about Babylon."

The Long Island Rail Road posted on X Monday a photo of the Babylon train station platform with the caption, "There’s still a train going to this Babylon."

DeBello’s theory was posted on social media by his friend Chantal Waldholz, of West Islip, using her handle @drinkinglongisland, when the two listened to the new release at 12:01 a.m. Friday. DeBello, 39, who also lives in Babylon, owns two shops on East Main Street. The first is Hitch, a market selling handmade goods from 150 local vendors and vintage consignments; next to Hitch is the Bestea cafe and craft bar, where he often holds Swift-themed events.

"We do album release parties and we even held an engagement party when Taylor got engaged to Travis Kelce," DeBello said. "Her music is always playing here, and we have a Taylor Swift coffee table book you can flip through."

At Bestea, there’s a special Swift-themed drink called the Swiftea: lavender lemonade, lavender lover tea, blue glitter and cotton candy ($12 with a friendship bracelet, $6.50 without).

"The four [new] songs on this album are being labeled as not her best work, but I think it’s fantastic," DeBello said. "I believe if people listen to it, they couldn’t help but sing along. She’s just great."

Kelsey Edquist, of Glenwood Landing, disagreed. The owner of Royal Princess Prep Entertainment, which runs a Swift tribute show called Totally Taylor, detailed her opinion. 

"Unfortunately, I don’t think ‘Babylon’ is about the town on Long Island," Edquist, 33, said. "I’m pretty sure Taylor is talking about the ancient city that was built into something big and beautiful, which would eventually be destroyed and become ruins. It’s something idealized that ends in tragedy."

Courtney Sack, 31, of Glen Head, agreed.  "Surprisingly, I do not think it is about Babylon on Long Island," she said, "although that would be very cool if it was. But I love the beat of the song. It is super catchy."

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.