taylor swift
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She laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork, the dominoes cascaded in a line. Taylor Swift took to social media on Monday (Oct. 31) to react to her record-setting domination of this week’s top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“10 out of 10 of the Hot 100??? On my 10th album??? I AM IN SHAMBLES,” the superstar tweeted along with the Billboard story breaking the historic news of her being the first artist to ever occupy every single spot in the top 10.
While Midnights‘ first single “Anti-Hero” rocketed to the top of the chart as Tay’s ninth career No. 1, the rest of the top 10 also contains, in order, “Lavender Haze,” “Maroon,” the Lana Del Rey-assisted “Snow on the Beach,” “Midnight Rain,” “Bejeweled,” “Question…?,” “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” “Karma” and “Vigilante Shit.”
But that’s not all: A bit further down the all-genre tally, Swift, in fact, charted all 20 tracks on Midnights (3am Edition) on the Hot 100, including standard album closer “Mastermind,” “Labyrinth” and “Sweet Nothing” at Nos. 13, 14 and 15.
Of the seven bonus tracks, fan-favorite highlight “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” landed highest at No. 20. The other six placements included “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” at No. 21, “The Great War” at No. 26, “Paris” at No. 32, “High Infidelity” at No. 33, “Glitch” at No. 41 and closing ballad “Dear Reader” rounding out the set at No. 45.
Midnights set plenty of other high-water marks for the icon’s already illustrious career, including being the first album to cross the million mark in its first week since her own reputation in 2017 and delivering the biggest first-week sales of any album in the seven years since Adele’s 25 was released in 2015.
Check out Taylor’s emotional reaction to making Billboard history below.
Taylor Swift stopped by The Graham Norton Show in the U.K. on Friday (Oct. 28) to talk about her new album Midnights and dished on the process of re-recording her first six albums.
“I just figured if I made them the first time, I can make them again,” she said after briefly explaining how her back catalog from 2006’s Taylor Swift to 2017’s reputation was controversially sold to Scooter Braun after she changed record labels from longtime home Big Machine to Republic.
When Norton asked if the strategy behind re-recording was working at radio, the superstar said, “Yes … one of the things I was most thankful for was there’s a company of many stations in America called iHeart, and they have sworn to only play my new versions. And they’ve said that they’ll switch it out for the old versions every time I put out a new version of a song.
“Which is just, like, it’s so heartwarming to me,” Tay continued. “Because this is something that I care about, but I don’t expect other people to care about it. It’s something that’s very personal to me and it’s a lot of work, but it’s really fun and rewarding for me and I can’t believe people have actually gotten behind it the way they have.”
During the talk show, Swift was joined on the couches by Bono, actor Eddie Redmayne and former professional U.K. soccer star Alex Scott, all of whom seemed visibly supportive along with Norton about the superstar’s re-recording plan. Redmayne and the singer also got to reminisce in the joint interview about the ill-fated screen test they did together as Marius and Eponine for the 2012 movie musical Les Misérables — though the latter role ultimately went to West end actress Samantha Barks.
Watch Swift open up about her re-recording process below.
Taylor Swift has always been explicit in her songs — delivering crystal-clear messages with uber-specific details. And in the last five years, she’s also been explicit in the “parental advisory” definition of the word — meaning she’s now comfortable dropping an F-bomb here and there.
When Swift released her sixth studio album, reputation, in 2017, her return to music after three years was a triumphant one, as she took control of her own narrative and cemented her transformation from America’s sweetheart to proudly feminist idol. And her declaration in the album cut “I Did Something Bad” that “If a man talks sh– then I owe him nothing” formally marked her dive into the world of curse words.
Sure, there are a few instances of a pre-reputation Taylor letting out some of the less offensive expletives. If you listen closely, you’ll even find one in her debut album: “You never did give a damn thing, honey,” she sings in the bridge of the emotional ballad “Cold as You.” But the death of “OId Taylor” is when the swear words really began to soar.
With Lover in 2019 came the line “I’d be a bi—, not a baller” from “The Man.” But Swift’s first explicitly explicit tracks did not arrive until her pandemic-era 2020 sister albums folklore and evermore. Opening the former with the line “I’m doing good, I’m on some new sh–” was just the start; iconic lyrics like “’What a shame she’s f—ed in the head,’ they said” followed shortly after.
On her 10th studio set Midnights, the lyrics have become more colorful than ever. The 13-track project includes six explicit songs, with the curse words ranging from “hell” to “f—in’” to one we surely did not have on our bingo card: “di–head.”
As the pop superstar continues to embrace her honest lyricism, keep reading for 20 times Taylor Swift has cursed in her songs.
Taylor Swift‘s followed up the excitement of her Midnights release by dropping the instrumental version of “Question…?”
According to initial reports to Luminate, the album has earned more than 1.4 million equivalent album units in the U.S. through its first five days of release (through Oct. 25).
If you need a guide to follow along with Taylor Swift’s “Question…?” find the lyrics below:
(I remember)
Good girl, sad boy, big city, wrong choicesWe had one thing going onI swear that it was something ’cause I don’t remember who I wasBefore you painted all my nights a color I’ve searched for since
But one thing after another f—ing situationCircumstances, miscommunicationsAnd I have to say, by the wayI just may like some explanations
Can I ask you a question?Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room?And every single one of your friends was making fun of youBut fifteen seconds later they were clapping, too?Then, what did you do?
Did you leave her house in the middle of the night? (Oh)Did you wish you’d put up more of a fight? (Oh)When she said it was too muchDo you wish you could still touch her?It’s just a question
Half-moon eyes, bad surprise, did you realize?Out of time, she was on your mindWith some di–head guy that you saw that nightBut you were on something
It was one drink after another, f—ing politics and gender-rolesAnd you’re not sure and I don’t know got swept away in the grayI just may like to have a conversation
Can I ask you a question?Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room?And every single one of your friends was making fun of youBut fifteen seconds later they were clapping, too?Then, what did you do?
Did you leave her house in the middle of the night? (Oh)Did you wish you’d put up more of a fight? (Oh)When she said it was too muchDo you wish you could still touch her?It’s just a question
Does it feel like everything’s just like second-best after that meteor strike?And what’s that, that I heard, that you’re still with her?That’s nice, I’m sure that’s what’s suitableAnd right, but tonight
Can I ask you a question? (Can I ask you a question?)Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room? (In a crowded room)And every single one of your friends was making fun of you? (Making fun of you)But fifteen seconds later they were clapping, too?Then what did you do? (Do)
Did you leave her house in the middle of the night? (Oh)Did you wish you’d put up more of a fight? (Oh, more of a fight)When she said it was too muchDo you wish you could still touch her?It’s just a question
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff
Taylor Swift called on her friends Haim, Laura Dern, Jack Antonoff and Dita Von Teese for her dazzling Cinderella-inspired music video for “Bejeweled,” featured on her 10th studio album, Midnights.
“Midnight, what a storied and fabled hour… On this sparkling evening I’ll be releasing my twist on a fairytale we all know. The one about the girl and her step sisters and the clock striking 12…” she captioned her announcement of the video, featuring a photo of herself as the fairytale princess, sitting in a dark room wearing a worn down dress while sewing a glittery, midnight blue gown. “This video is wild, whimsical and created SPECIFICALLY for you, my beloved fans who have paved this shimmering path.”
If you need a guide to follow along with Taylor Swift’s “Bejeweled,” find the lyrics below:Baby love, I think I’ve been a little too kindDidn’t notice you walking all over my peace of mindIn the shoes I gave you as a presentPuttin’ someone first only works when you’re in their top fiveAnd by the way, I’m going out tonight
Best believe I’m still bejeweled when I walk in the roomI can still make the whole place shimmerAnd when I meet the band, they ask, “Do you have a man?”I can still say, “I don’t remember”Familiarity breeds contempt, don’t put me in the basementWhen I want the penthouse of your heartDiamonds in my eyes, I polish up real, I polish up real nice (nice)
Baby boy, I think I’ve been too good of a girl (too good of a girl)Did all the extra credit, then got graded on a curveI think it’s time to teach some lessonsI made you my world, have you heard?I can reclaim the landAnd I miss you (I miss you), but I miss sparkling (ah, hey)
Best believe I’m still bejeweled when I walk in the roomI can still make the whole place shimmerAnd when I meet the band, they ask, “Do you have a man?”I can still say, “I don’t remember”Familiarity breeds contempt, don’t put me in the basementWhen I want the penthouse of your heartDiamonds in my eyes, I polish up real, I polish up real nice (nice)
Sapphire tears on my face, sadness became my whole skyBut some guy said my aura’s moonstone just ’cause he was highI went dancin’ all night and you can try to change my mindBut you might have to wait in lineWhat’s a girl gonna do? A diamond’s gotta shine
Best believe I’m still bejeweled when I walk in the roomI can still make the whole place shimmer (shimmer)And when I meet the band, they ask, “Do you have a man?”I can still say, “I don’t remember”Familiarity breeds contempt, don’t put me in the basementWhen I want the penthouse of your heartDiamonds in my eyes, I polish up real (nice), I polish up real nice
I went dancin’ all night and you can try to change my mindBut you might have to wait in lineWhat’s a girl gonna do? What’s a girl gonna do? I polish up niceBest believe I’m still bejeweled when I walk in the roomI can still make the whole place shimmer
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff
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Taylor Swift took fans deep into her mind with the release of “Anti-Hero,” off her freshly dropped 10th studio album, Midnights.
Swift previously called the track “one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” as she’s never “delved this far into my insecurities in this detail before.”
“I struggle a lot with the idea that my life has become unmanageably sized,” she continued. “Not to sound too dark, but I just struggle with the idea of not feeling like a person — don’t feel bad for me, you don’t need to. But this song really is a real guided tour through all the things I tend to hate about myself; we all hate things about ourselves.”
If you need a guide to follow along with Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero,” find the lyrics below:
I have this thing where I get older but just never wiserMidnights become my afternoonsWhen my depression works the graveyard shiftAll of the people I’ve ghosted stand there in the room
I should not be left to my own devicesThey come with prices and vicesI end up in crisis (I’ve realized all this time)I wake up screaming from dreamingOne day I’ll watch as you’re leaving‘Cause you got tired of my schemingFor the last time
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s meAt tea time, everybody agreesI’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirrorIt must be exhausting, always rooting for the anti-hero
Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy babyAnd I’m a monster on the hillToo big to hang out, slowly lurching toward your favorite cityPierced through the heart, but never killed
Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruismLike some kind of congressman? (I’ve realized all this time)I wake up screaming from dreamingOne day I’ll watch as you’re leavingAnd life will lose all of its meaningFor the last time
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me (I’m the problem, it’s me)At tea time, everybody agreesI’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirrorIt must be exhausting, always rooting for the anti-hero
I have this dream my daughter in-law kills me for the moneyShe thinks I left them in the willThe family gathers around and reads it and someone screams out“She’s laughing up at us from hell”
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s meIt’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s meIt’s me, hi, everybody agrees, everybody agrees
It’s me, hi (hi), I’m the problem, it’s me (I’m the problem, it’s me)At tea (tea) time (time), everybody agrees (everybody agrees)I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirrorIt must be exhausting, always rooting for the anti-hero
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff
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It’s been nearly a week since Taylor Swift dropped her 10th studio album Midnights, but she’s hardly done rolling out treats for fans.
The star unveiled two instrumental tracks on Thursday (Oct. 27) for “Question…?” and “Bejeweled,” which are both available to order as digital singles on Swift’s website.
The instrumentals come on the heels of Swift’s freshly released music video for “Bejeweled,” which features cameos from Haim, Laura Dern and Jack Antonoff as the star-studded crew puts their own twist on Cinderella.
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“Midnight, what a storied and fabled hour… On this sparkling evening I’ll be releasing my twist on a fairytale we all know. The one about the girl and her step sisters and the clock striking 12…” Swift captioned her announcement of the clip, alongside a photo of herself as Cinderella, sitting in a dark room wearing a worn down dress while sewing a glittery, midnight blue gown. “This video is wild, whimsical and created SPECIFICALLY for you, my beloved fans who have paved this shimmering path.”
Since releasing Midnights, Swift also dropped a 3am Edition of the album featuring seven additional tracks, as well as the music video for “Anti-Hero.” According to initial reports to Luminate, the album has earned more than 1.4 million equivalent album units in the U.S. through its first five days of release (through Oct. 25).
Midnights has the largest week for any album since Adele’s 25 debuted with 3.482 million in its first week (chart dated Dec. 12, 2015). And Midnights‘ traditional album sales total of 1.05 million continues to be the biggest sales week for a set since Swift’s own reputation album debuted with 1.216 million copies sold (chart dated Dec. 2, 2017).
Swifties now have a whole new way to take part in the Midnights fun.
Snapchat teamed up with Taylor Swift and virtual communications company BLNK to create three custom augmented reality Lenses, which transports users to the gates of Big Ben in London or Grand Central Terminal in New York City to unlock a hidden Midnights experience all to the tune of “Anti-Hero.”
The augmented reality experience will transform each clock face into Swift’s Midnights clock. Hands on each of the clocks will spin until they stop at midnight, and the entire structure will transform into a larger than life vinyl player, complete with gears, turntables, spinning vinyl and, of course, music from the album.
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Additionally, fans can use Snapchat to scan any edition of the album’s back cover art to unlock a filter in which the three missing pieces of the clock will appear to create a complete clock.
According to initial reports to Luminate, Midnights, which was released on Oct. 21, has sold more than 800,000 copies in the U.S. through its first day across all available formats (multiple digital album download, CD, vinyl and cassette variants). It has already logged the largest sales week for any album since 2017, is the top-selling album of 2022 year-to-date, and has set a modern-era record for single-week vinyl album sales. Spotify also announced that the album is officially the most-streamed album in a single day in the streaming service’s history.
At the time of publication, the album earned more than 1.4 million equivalent album units in the U.S.
Bon Iver took the stage in London at OVO Arena Wembley on Wednesday night (Oct. 26), and he surprised the crowd when he had Taylor Swift join him onstage to perform their song “exile” for the first time.
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The track was featured on Swift’s 2020 album, Folklore, which Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and The National‘s Aaron Dessner both contributed too. Dessner was also onstage during the “exile” performance.
Dessner recently collaborated with Swift on the 3am Edition of her freshly released 10th studio album, Midnights. Of the seven additional songs to the original 13 tracks, Dessner co-wrote and co-produced “The Great War,” “High Infidelity,” “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” and “Hits Different.”
“The most talented person in the world, Taylor Swift,” Vernon told the OVO Arena Wembley crowd following the performance, to which Swift sweetly replied, “The most talented person in the world, Justin Vernon. Also, the most talented person in the world, Aaron Dessner.”
“Alright, good night everybody,” Vernon joked as Swift left the stage. “We don’t know what to do now.”
Released as a surprise on July 24, 2020, Folklore represented a surprise pivot towards indie-folk that proved a critical and commercial blockbuster for Swift, earning the album of the year Grammy and topping the Billboard 200 albums chart for eight nonconsecutive weeks.
Swift followed up with Folklore‘s folky sister album, Evermore, in December of the same year. The album spent four nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200.
Watch the “exile” performance in London, captured by a fan and uploaded to Twitter, below.
When Taylor Swift arrived to the 2022 VMAs red carpet in a crystal-draped Oscar De La Renta mini-dress, fans were quick to point out its striking resemblance to a scene from her “Look What You Made Me Do” music video. Sure, it could have just been a coincidence — but Swifties know that there’s usually more than meets the eye when it comes to the music industry’s queen of Easter eggs.
So what could be the story behind the look? Ahead of the awards, the Internet was abuzz that this was Swift’s subtle way of sharing that reputation (Taylor’s Version) would be the next album in her lineup of re-recordings. But an announcement of her third re-record was nowhere to be found that night. Instead, the pop star threw a *swift* curveball, revealing that her next project would actually be her 10th studio album, Midnights.
With the arrival of the 13-track set (or 20 tracks on the 3am Edition) on Oct. 21, fans will now agree that the dazzling drip was almost certainly a tribute to “Bejeweled,” her second song from the album to be given the music video treatment. Covered in gems and rhinestones — and including cameos from Laura Dern, the HAIM sisters and Dita Von Teese — the video does exactly what Swift declares: “I can make the whole world shimmer.”
In honor of her newest visual triumph, which she self-wrote and directed, Billboard went back through her catalog of music videos to find the moments where she shimmers brightest (including “Look What You Made Me Do,” of course). Check them out below.