Words: Phoebe Close

It’s been 4 months since we got Red Taylor’s Version and the iconic 10-minute version of All Too Well. This means we now have two Taylor’s Versions, with Fearless released early in 2021. But there are still four more albums of re-records to come – The debut self-titled, Speak Now, 1989, and Reputation. With this many songs to released and the potential of lots of tracks from the vault, rumours have been swirling about when the next album is coming, and which one it will be. 

Tiktok and Twitter are full of fans acting as detectives trying to decipher messages, looking at timelines, and reading between the lines. Here is a summary of what we know (or maybe know) at the moment. 

Speak now seems to be the front runner for the most likely next release. The first hint at Grammys in 2021 when Taylor performed in a purple gown that fans instantly linked to the speak now album cover. More clues followed, with long term friend and director of “I bet you think about me” music video Blake Lively wearing purple whilst the rumours were circulating.  Swifties have gained a reputation (no pun intended) for reading too much into events and looking for clues where there are none. But Taylor is known for attention to detail and I would not be surprised if she’s been dropping these hints years in advance. 

Fans are equally excited for the 1989 re-record. The first clue was when Taylor went on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and showed a whole mood board of what fans think were 1989 clues, including the birds from the album artwork. This hints was also seen in the “I bet you think about me” music video when the birds decorated the wedding cake. Also fans spotted merch hitting Taylor’s store looking 1989 themed, including the tagline established 1989. One track from this iconic album is already out, with Wildest Dreams being released last September for use in the trailer for Spirit Untamed. 

With Reputation, there are legal issues meaning that Taylor cannot re record this album until November 2022 (5 years after release). Fans seem equally convinced this or the debut will be the last re record announced. This seems likely, and I think debut being last would wrap the Taylor’s version era up nicely. 

Which album will be re-recorded and re-released next and when it will be I’m sure is known by Taylor and her team but for the rest of us it’s a waiting game – we will have to keep looking for Easter eggs and following the clues. In the meantime, I would not be surprised if she dropped a brand new album on us (Woodvale anyone?) and also maybe a new tour with 3 albums under her belt that she’s yet to sing live!