Taylor Swift's long-awaited 10th studio album, Midnights, was released this morning and fans have already begun speculating who the songs could be about.
Initially, the Cardigan star dropped the 13-track album at 5am UK time, but in a chaotic plot twist, released a further seven songs three hours later which she has called the 3am tracks, taking inspiration from The Vault songs on her re-recorded albums.
Prior to the release of Midnights, Taylor has been kept busy over the past two years thanks to re-recording her first six albums and the release of her lockdown projects, Folklore and Evermore.
The singer announced the new album at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards in August, 13 years on from the infamous Kanye West incident.
But what is the story behind Midnights and who could the songs be about?
Here's everything you need to know.
What is Midnights about?
On August 29, Taylor revealed that her 10th studio album would be called Midnights.
She said in a carousel Instagram post: “Midnights, the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life, will be out October 21. Meet me at midnight."
She went on to explain the album in the second picture of the post, which read: “We lie awake in love and in fear, in turmoil and in tears. We stare at walls and drink until they speak back. We twist in our self-made cages and pray that we aren’t — right this minute — about to make some fateful life-altering mistake.
"This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams. The floors we pace and the demons we face. For all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching — hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve … we’ll meet ourselves.”
What are the songs about on Midnights?
Midnights has 20 songs in total, which means there is a lot of information to unpack when it comes to the lyrics.
Lavender Haze
Lavender Haze is the first track of the Midnights album.
Prior to the song's release, Taylor informed fans about what the track was about and how she found inspiration for the song from TV series Mad Men and her relationship with long-term partner Joe Alwyn.
She said: “I happened upon the phrase ‘Lavender Haze’ when I was watching Mad Men and I looked it up because I thought it sounded cool, and it turns out that it was a common phrase that was used in the ’50s where they would just describe being in love.
“Like, If you were in the ‘Lavender Haze,’ that meant you were in that all-encompassing love glow, and I thought that was really beautiful.”
The singer added: “I guess theoretically, when you’re in the lavender haze, you’ll do anything to stay there and not let people bring you down off of that cloud.
“I think a lot of people have to deal with this now, not just ‘public figures’, because we live in the era of social media. If the world finds out that you’re in love with somebody, they’re going to weigh in on it.
“We’ve had to dodge weird rumours, tabloid stuff, and we just ignore it. This song is sort of about the act of ignoring that stuff to protect the real stuff.”
She references the 'weird rumours' in the lyric: "All they keep asking me is if I'm gonna be your bride.
"The only kinda girl they see is a one night or a wife.
"I find it dizzying, they're bringing up my history but you weren't even listening."
Maroon
Maroon is yet another Taylor track that uses colour to reference love, following on from her 2012 release of Red.
She references a love that was "so scarlet it was maroon" and many fans have pointed out that the song could be about Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Tom Hiddleston, due to the lyric "I chose you, the one I was dancing with in New York, no shoes."
At the end of Taylor's relationship with DJ Calvin Harris in 2016, she was pictured dancing with Tom at the Met Gala in New York.
One fan said of the theory on Twitter: "Ummmmmm is Maroon about Tom Hiddleston?!? They danced together in New York WITH NO SHOES at the 2016 Met Gala!!! SHE "CHOSE" HIM because she was dating Calvin Harris at the time!!?!?!?!"
Anti-Hero
The 32-year-old told fans what Midnights lead single Anti-Hero was about following the song announcement during Midnights Mayhem With Me - the fun social media game where Taylor revealed the tracklist to Midnights.
She said: “I really don’t think I’ve delved this far into my insecurities in this detail before.
“You know I struggle a lot with the idea that my life has become unmanageably sized, and not to sound too dark, I just struggle with the idea of not feeling like a person.”
The singer then went on to say that Anti-Hero is a "guided tour" of all the things she dislikes about herself.
“We all hate things about ourselves and it’s all of those aspects of the things we dislike and like about ourselves that we have to come to terms with if we’re going to be this person.
“Yeah, I like Anti-Hero a lot because I think it’s really honest.”
The chorus reads: "Hi, I'm the problem, it's me.
"At teatime everybody agrees.
"I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror.
"It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero."
Snow On The Beach
During the song title announcement, Taylor confirmed that the song was a collaboration with none other than Video Games singer Lana Del Rey.
When speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Taylor said it's about “falling in love with someone at the same time as they’re falling in love with you, in this sort of cataclysmic, fated moment where you realise someone feels exactly the same way that you feel at the same moment”.
She added: “You’re kind of looking around going like, ‘Wait, is this real? Is this a dream? Is this for real? Is this happening? Is it really happening?'
“Kind of like it would be if you were to see snow falling on a beach.”
You're On Your Own, Kid
In You're On Your Own, Kid, Taylor references her battles with anxiety and mental health.
In the lyrics, she mentions her eating disorder which she previously revealed during her Netflix documentary, Miss Americana.
She sings: "I hosted parties and starved my body like I'd be saved by a perfect kiss.
"The jokes weren't funny, I took the money. My friends from home don't know what to say."
Midnight Rain
Midnight Rain reminisces on a past relationship where two people have grown apart.
The chorus reads: "He was sunshine, I was midnight rain.
"He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain.
"He wanted a bride, I was making my own name.
"Chasing that fame, he stayed the same.
"All of me changed, like midnight."
Question...?
Question...? features a conversation between a couple who have seemingly broken up, with Taylor asking a series of questions about the relationship during the chorus.
The chorus reads: "Did you leave her house in the middle of the night? Did you wish you'd put up more of a fight?
"When she said it was too much, do you wish you could still touch her?
"It's just a question."
Vigilante Sh*t
Vigilante Sh*t is Taylor's first song with a swear word in the title and is the only song on the album that is solely written by the All Too Well star.
Vigilante Sh*t is one of singer's more vengeful songs on the album, with lyrics including: "I don't start sh*t, but I can tell you how it ends. Don't get sad, get even.
"So on the weekends, I don't dress for friends. Lately I've been dressing for revenge."
Some of the lyrics seem to hint at her ongoing feud with rapper Kanye West.
On her Speak Now album, Taylor released a song called Innocent about how Kanye interrupted her speech at the 2009 VMAs.
In Vigilante Sh*t, Taylor seems to reference the incident once again with the lyrics reading: "I don't dress for villains or for innocents. I'm on my vigilante sh*t again."
Fans have speculated that Taylor references Kanye's divorce with ex-wife Kim Kardashian in the lyrics: "Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride.
"Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife. And she looks so pretty driving in your Benz. Lately she's been dressing for revenge."
One Twitter user said: "Wait…. Is Vigilante Sh*t about Kanye & Kim!? "Divorce!? “Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride”, “Thick as thieves with your EX WIFE”."
Bejewelled
Bejewelled describes a woman who is losing her sparkle while in a relationship with a man who doesn't appreciate her.
The lyrics read: "Familiarity breeds contempt. Don't put me in the basement when I want the penthouse of your heart.
"Diamonds in my eyes, I polish up real, I polish up real nice."
Labyrinth
Labyrinth features a term that Taylor used in her NYU graduation speech earlier this year.
The lyrics read: "Breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out."
The song seems to reference the anxiety around falling in love as the lyrics continue: "Oh no, I'm falling in love, Oh no, I'm falling in love again.
"I thought the plane was going down, heard you turn it right around."
Karma
The Karma title announcement noticeably caused a stir with Swifties as Taylor cackled while confirming the 11th track.
Fans questioned whether the laughter was on purpose as a long-time theory suggested that Taylor's 10th album was supposed to be titled Karma.
The theory dates back to 2016 and there has been speculation that the song could be about Taylor's feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
One fan said on Twitter : "Karma is definitely about Kanye because it's definitely not a coincidence that it's Track 11.
"When Innocent [her song where she initially forgave Kanye for the 2009 VMA incident], is Track 11 too."
The feud between the celebs began after Kanye humiliated Taylor on stage at the VMAs in 2009 by interrupting her acceptance speech for Best Female Video.
The drama seemingly died down between Taylor and Kanye until the rapper released his song Famous.
In the lyrics for the song, Kanye raps: "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex. Why? I made that b***h famous."
Fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on Karma and Taylor's feud with Kanye.
One user said: "Karma by Taylor is about Kanye and you can’t convince me otherwise."
The Karma lyrics, which seemingly point at the feud, read: "Ask me what I learned from all those years.
"Ask me what I earned from all those tears.
"Ask me why so many fade but I'm still here.
"'Cause karma is the thunder, rattling your ground.
"Karma's on your scent like a bounty hunter
"Karma's gonna track you down, step by step from town to town."
Sweet Nothing
Sweet Nothing was written by Taylor and William Bowery, aka her boyfriend Joe.
The slow tune seems to hint at the ease of their relationship together.
The lyrics read: "Outside, they're push and shoving. You're in the kitchen humming. All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing."
Mastermind
Mastermind references Taylor's reputation and her 'scheming' ways.
The lyrics read: "No one wanted to play with me as a little kid, so I've been scheming like a criminal ever since to make them love me and make it seem effortless."
The song also references how Taylor met boyfriend Joe.
She sings: "What if I told you none of it was accidental?
"And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me
"I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork the dominoes cascading in the line.
"What if I told you I'm the mastermind?
"And now you're mine."
The Great War
The Great War is the first of seven songs that were released as part of Taylor's 'chaotic surprise' following the Midnights album release.
In the song, she seems to reference 2016 - the year Taylor disappeared after a voicenote between the singer and Kanye was leaked where Taylor 'confirmed' the use of "I made that b***h famous" in Kanye's song, Famous.
One fan shared an image of the lyrics "All that blood shed, crimson clover. The bombs were close and my hand was the one you reached for all throughout the Great War" with a caption of "So The Great War is about surviving 2016?"
2016 was also the year that she met boyfriend Joe, who stood by her during the voicenote scandal.
Bigger Than The Whole Sky
Bigger Than The Whole Sky is one of the slower songs on Midnights and is full of heartbreaking lyrics.
Since the song was released at 8am alongside the 3am tracks, fans have been speculating what the song is about.
One fan said on Twitter: "Bigger Than The Whole Sky is for the Swifties who have lost someone they loved and idk if I can listen to it too many times bc i’m like physically nauseous over it."
Another Twitter user said: "Bigger Than The Whole Sky’s lyric “did some bird flap its wings in Asia” is literally her wondering if something so small and seemingly unimportant could’ve flipped this relationship on its head like that’s literally the butterfly effect."
Paris
Paris is about a whirlwind relationship which allows you to forget about the outside world.
In the lyrics, Taylor sings: "I'm so in love that I might stop breathing, drew a map on your bedroom ceiling.
"No, I didn't see the news 'cause we were somewhere else.
"Stumbled down pretend alleyways, cheap wine.
"Make believe it's champagne.
"I was taken by the view like we were in Paris."
High Infidelity
Since the 3am tracks announcement, fans have been theorising about who High Infidelity could be about.
In the song, it seems that Taylor is referencing cheating as she sings: "You know there's many different ways that you can kill the one you love, the slowest way is never loving them enough.
"Do you really want to know where I was April 29th? Do I really have to tell you how he brought me back to life?"
Fans are speculating that this song could be about the end of her relationship with Calvin Harris and how she met Tom Hiddleston.
One Twitter user said: "So on High Infidelity is Taylor suggesting that she might of possibly cheated on Calvin Harris with Tom Hiddleston. Now she is forever haunted by how that relationship ended?"
Glitch
Glitch is about meeting someone unexpectedly and falling in love with them.
In the lyrics, Taylor sings: "We were supposed to be just friends.
"You don't live in that part of town but maybe I'll see you out some weekend, depending on what kind of mood and situationship I'm in and what's in my system."
She also seems to reference her relationship with Joe in the song as she sings: "I was supposed to sweat you out in search of glorious happenings of happenstance on someone else's playground.
"But it's been 2,196 days of our love blackout, the system's breaking down."
Taylor has been in a relationship with the Conversations With Friends actor for six years, which is 2,196 days.
Would've, Could've, Should've
In Would've, Could've, Should've, Taylor talks about a relationship she had when she was younger that she has now come to regret.
In the chorus, she sings: "If you never looked my way, I would've stayed on my knees and I damn sure would've never danced with the devil.
"At 19, and the God's honest truth is that the pain was heaven and now that I'm grown, I'm scared of ghosts.
"Memories feel like weapons and now that I know, I wish you left me wondering."
She later goes on to sing: "I can't let this go, I fight with you in my sleep.
"The wound won't close.
"I keep on waiting for a sign, I regret you all the time."
Swifties are speculating that this song is about Taylor's ex-boyfriend John Mayer, who she dated when she was 19.
Dear Reader
Dear Reader is the final song on the 3am edition of Midnights.
In the song, Taylor is giving the listener (or herself) life advice that she has learned throughout her 32 years.
In the song, she sings: "Dear reader, bend when you can, snap when you have to.
"Dear reader, you don't have to answer just 'cause they asked you."
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