Picture: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott/TAS Rights Administration
A showgirl by no means takes a break, and after an virtually yearlong encore, Taylor Swift is returning to the stage with a deluxe version of The Lifetime of a Showgirl: The Encore. When she first introduced Showgirl on her husband Travis Kelce’s podcast in August 2025, she stated there can be solely 12 songs, however that was earlier than it grew to become her best-selling album of all time. Now, the period continues. “I took a visit to Sweden to have fun with Max and Shellback, my two collaborators on this album,” Swift wrote in an Instagram publish when she surprise-announced the lead single, “Affected person Zero,” and three further new songs. “Actually we simply needed to mirror and soak up how grateful we had been for the second we had been in, however there was a studio there and we did what we do after we really feel something in any respect: We wrote extra songs. I hope you like them, as a result of they had been born out of pure gratitude on your exuberance for and celebration of the album we made.”
“Affected person Zero,” “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding,” and “Babylon” are out now, and the discharge actually seems like an encore to Showgirl. All 4 tracks allude to totally different emotions that come after the excessive of a efficiency, whether or not it’s bonding over a nasty relationship, being the one that harm another person, blocking out the haters, or craving for the previous. However the place do they fall within the Swiftie lore? And are they as vibey as their Showgirl glitter-gel-pen siblings, or are they written with a quill pen or fountain pen? A music video for “Affected person Zero” with Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell premieres on the VMAs this Sunday, the place Swift will settle for the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors award. An ideal method to show you’ll be able to direct A-list actors in a tune about two gals kikiing over an ex who sucked.
Under are all of our guesses on what’s nonetheless on the showgirl’s thoughts in between the primary act and the encore.
“I do know he charmed your loved ones and associates
And also you thought it’s ’trigger he loves you
Nevertheless it’s ’trigger he loves how everyone else loves him
I do know it looks like he shines so vibrant
However he’s bathing in your mirrored gentle
On a free-solo social climb”
What we predict it’s about: Swift is speaking to her ex’s ex after their breakup, bonding over the same scars left after the connection.
Who we predict it’s about: In 2023, Swift was hanging out with Sophie Turner; each dated Joe Jonas at totally different instances of their lives, Swift when she was 19 and Turner when she was 20 (totally different eras). Turner ultimately married Jonas in 2019 and had two children with him. In 2023, Swift let Turner keep at her place in New York throughout her divorce from Jonas, and the 2 appeared to bond over dinners out within the metropolis. “I’ve by no means been extra grateful to anybody than I’m for her as a result of she took my youngsters and me, and supplied us with a house and a secure house,” Turner informed British Vogue in 2024. “She actually has a coronary heart of gold.”
Are there any sister tracks? “Invisible String,” “Mr. Completely Superb”
Was it written with a quill pen, fountain pen, or glitter gel pen? The beat is extra glitter pen, however the confessional lyrics of two ex-in-laws complaining about their former lover lean extra towards quill pen.
“She’s not as scorching as she was, however she was solely a 4
She was by no means a women’ lady, she was only a—
And with all of that cash, why’s she dressed like trash?
When she smiles, it’s annoying and have you ever seen her—
Stumbling clumsily
Would you even name that dancing?”
What we predict it’s about: Folks making enjoyable of Kelce for falling in love with Swift, as a result of her haters assume she’s cringe. However he loves her unapologetically.
Who we predict it’s about: Swift’s telling her haters to maintain telling little jokes and digs as a result of she’s marrying a person who loves her for her. She additionally wrote this proper after she obtained engaged, so it’s a really “I’m in love, I don’t care what anybody else thinks” sort of observe.
Are there any sister tracks? “Honey,” “Peter” (just for Household Man causes).
Was it written with a quill pen, fountain pen, or glitter gel pen? Glitter gel pen, child!
“You met me at a cursed time
I informed you I used to be effective”
“You realized my sort of bother wasn’t price it
And the way in which I handled you, you by no means deserved it
And I swear to God, to today
I get up scared that I left scars on a very good individual”
What we predict it’s about: Swift apologizing to an ex for treating them badly after they had been supportive of her throughout a troublesome interval in her life.
Who we predict it’s about: If there have been an ex who stood by Swift throughout essentially the most troublesome time of her life, it might be Joe Alwyn. He started courting her after the Kanye West drama in 2016, when she withdrew from public life after Kim Kardashian leaked an edited name between them on Snapchat. It may be about Tom Hiddleston; the 2 dated solely briefly, and it carries the same theme to “Midnight Rain,” a tune presumably about him. However her relationship with Alwyn “haunts” her greater than her relationship with Hiddleston, so it is perhaps her letter to Joe.
Are there any sister tracks? “Lavender Haze,” “Again to December,” “Midnight Rain”
Was it written with a quill pen, fountain pen, or glitter gel pen? Quill pen for the confessional apology.
“It’s bedtime, however you’re sitting in your automobile
You’re lacking all the very best components
And so they’re all at residence
She’s hanging Christmas lights along with your son
Sneak into the lavatory to name her mother
And say, ‘It’s not working, it’s simply not price it if we’re not what he desires’”
What we predict it’s about: Somebody combating nostalgia for his or her easy life whereas hurting these they love within the current.
Who we predict it’s about: This can be essentially the most complicated Taylor Swift tune ever. It actually sounds extra like Swift watched a extremely good film like Cinema Paradiso and felt impressed to write down a non-autobiographical story.
Are there any sister tracks? “Greatest Day” (but when they’re like sisters who’re polar opposites), “Champagne Issues”
Was it written with a quill pen, fountain pen, or glitter gel pen? Fountain pen with slightly glitter thrown in there.
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