Today, acclaimed singer-songwriter Taylor Swift made some changes to her social media profiles. The singer notably primarily uses her social media accounts for professional reasons, and her profile picture typically reflects her most recent album. Swift dropped “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” on July 7, marking the first album for Swift to have written entirely alone. The purple-tinged album cover offered a mature reflection upon the original, which was released 13 years ago.
“Speak Now” packs an emotional punch both lyrically and sonically, and was originally written when Swift was between the ages of 19 and 20. The songs oscillate between growing pains, heartbreak, whimsical romance, and longing. Each album “era” typically lasts several months, and is reflected as such on Swift’s social media pages. Today, after only a few weeks of the “Speak Now” era, Swift’s profile pictures have all changed back to the “Midnights” album cover. “Midnights” dropped in October of 2022.
Fans were quick to note the subtle change, and continue to circulate a theory that the singer will announce “1989” as the next re-recorded album. The re-records began when music tycoon Scooter Braun purchased Swift’s masters without her consent, causing her to re-record her old albums and issue “vault” tracks that were previously unreleased with each one.
@michelletok #taylorswift officially ends #speaknowtaylorsversion era, changes all her social media imagery back to #midnights …but the trademark for #1989taylorsversion was approved last week ???? #swifttok
The “1989” Theory
Swift famously announced the “Speak Now” re-release during her “The Eras Tour” stop in Nashville, Tennessee. She went on to share a music video for “I Can See You” from the album at her Kansas City, Missouri show.
Due to the singer’s habit of making announcements mid-show, many feel that a “1989” release would only make sense. Swift’s final U.S. “The Eras Tour” stop would be in Los Angeles, California on August 9, or 8/9. Swift’s attention to numerology has many fans hoping that the album’s re-records are ready for their ears on this day.
@morgie.butler someone probably pointed this out already but i feel like a 1989 tv announcement could happen that night… #fyp #1989 #1989taylorsversion #icanseeyou #taylorswift #taylorsversion
♬ I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift
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On top of the dates matching up, a faint outline of “1989 TV” can be seen at the end of the “I Can See You” music video. The words appear on a sign above a bridge that Swift, Taylor Lautner, and Joey King drive a getaway car under.
@abby.jordansversion ALL TOO UNWELL RN taylorsversion taylorswift tstheerastour speaknowtaylorsversion swiftie hitsdifferent swifttok theerastour
♬ I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift
Many fans are still hoping for “Style (featuring Harry Styles)” to appear on “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” The track has long been suspected to reference their previous relationship. The musicians continue to speak highly of one another, and congratulated each other at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
style (ft. harry styles) (taylor’s version) is about to go absolutely fucking crazy pic.twitter.com/p4wMXSyRWE
— clara ????️ (@satelliteharrry) July 8, 2023
Swift recently included Taylor Lautner, another ex-boyfriend who she remains friends with, in the “I Can See You” music video, inviting Lautner and his wife Taylor Dome-Lautner on stage the night of the premiere. Some hope that this collaboration paves the way for one with Styles.
idk about y’all but Styles ft Harry Styles (Taylor’s Version) on 1989 (Taylor’s version) doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch now… pic.twitter.com/j73Xw8qKLu
— sofia (@hrysnewromantic) July 8, 2023
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Swift has not commented on the “1989” theories at this time, but among fans, this era never goes out of style.
