Even if you don’t like Taylor Swift all that much, you have to admit that she is truly a mastermind for how she keeps us guessing what her next move is — especially when it comes to her surprise songs on The Eras Tour. At her fourth Los Angeles show on Aug. 7, Swift paired her surprise songs with a possible 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Easter egg: Her song “Dress” from Reputation followed up by her solo version of “exile” from folklore are giving Swifties all of the confirmation they need that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is coming soon.
Now, if there’s one thing I do best, it’s reading into signs, so let’s break this down. While “exile” is on Swift’s album folklore, it was actually referenced in a music video for a track on her most recent album, Midnights. In the “Bejeweled” music video, Swift pulls out a pocket watch that reads “exile ends,” just as she goes from floor three (which is a reference to her third album, Speak Now) to floor five (which could be a nod to her fifth album, 1989). Since Swift sang “exile,” fans are taking this as a sign that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is right around the corner. Is anyone else freaking out, here?
For more evidence, in her latest video, “I Can See You,” there are many Easter eggs that point to a 1989 rerecord— but two really stick out. The scene where Joey King dodges all of the lasers is awfully similar to a skit Swift performed at the 2014 iHeart Radio Music Awards to promote 1989. Additionally, the way King blows powder to see the lasers is almost identical to how Selena Gomez does in the “Bad Blood” music video, which we know to be on the 1989 album.
Now, if you’re still skeptical, there is no denying that the way the “I Can See You” video ends isn’t only signaling the end of Speak Now era, but also teasing the beginning of the 1989 era: If you look closely as Swift, Lautner, and King cross the bridge in the getaway car, there is a plaque that reads 1989-tv.
So, Swifties, judging by the surprise songs and the infinite Easter Eggs Swift has been dropping, I think it’s safe to say there is some exciting, and long-anticipated, news coming very soon. Taylor has sung 77% of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), which came out on July 7, 2023 (7/7), and has performed 88% of 1989 as of Aug. 8 (8/8), it seems a little too perfect to be a coincidence. With Aug. 9 (8/9) coming soon, here’s to hoping that Swift answers her fans’ burning questions, and gives them the announcement they’ve been waiting for. OK, numerology!