Taylor Swift Essentially Confirms “Speak Now” Is The Next Re-Recording In New Music Video

Buckle up, Swifties and country music fans - Taylor Swift just dropped glaring hints that Speak Now might be her next re-recording. The global superstar is currently re-releasing updated renditions of her first six albums. While fans and Swift alike were upset by Big Machine Records’ alarming decision - to sell Swift’s masters to businessman Scooter Braun, without her consent or knowledge - the setback gave rise to the (Taylor’s Version) era.

Swift has already put out Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version), as well as two singles from 1989 (Taylor's Version). Nostalgic, emotional fans flocked to stream classic hits like “You Belong With Me” and “I Knew You Were Trouble,” re-recorded in Swift’s matured voice. Additionally, the (Taylor’s Version) albums include “vault” tracks, or songs that Big Machine would not initially let the singer release. For example, her former label forced her to narrow “All Too Well” down to about five minutes in length. Red (Taylor’s Version) features the original extensive lyrics of the fan-favorite track, clocking in at ten minutes and thirteen seconds. “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) currently holds the record for the longest song to reach #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

The country starlet turned global, multi-genre sensation has long used “easter eggs” to cryptically communicate with fans. This began with secret messages spelled out in capital and lowercase letters on CD booklets. However, over the years it has evolved into its own art form, to complement her musical and lyrical talents. Swift often hides hints in music videos, Spotify exclusives, song lyrics, interviews, and merchandise designs, just to name a few, teasing future projects. Furthermore, Swift isn’t afraid to hint at something years in advance. In just one instance, the word “Karma” was spray-painted on walls in the music videos for “Delicate” and “The Man.” This turned out to be a track title on her most recent album, Midnights, and appeared on a recent merchandise drop in the exact same graffiti-like font. Fans have learned to never underestimate Swift’s mind and meticulous planning.

Which is why, compiling easter eggs we’ve noticed over the years, as well as a plethora of new ones in her latest music video, we’re convinced that Swift is dropping Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) next. But before we get into the hints, let’s take a moment to reminisce on the album’s multitude of strengths and highlights.

Speak Now is perhaps Swift’s best album lyrically. Swift solo-wrote every one of this album’s tracks, contributing to its authentic storytelling and intimate listening experience. It contains transparent ballads that tell extremely personal stories, such as "Innocent" and "Dear John." Swift shows her mastery of symbolism and metaphors in the sentimental "Long Live." The sad, haunting "Last Kiss" features vivid imagery, enhanced by Swift's well-executed vocal dynamics. The well-known and memorable "Enchanted" is another tear-jerker, filled front to back with burning passion and raw emotion. Sonically, Speak Now is Swift's last album that doesn't heavily emphasize mainstream pop elements, overall her second-to-last country album. While Swift has never released a bad song in her 16-year strong music career, the style of Speak Now especially fits Swift. Out of her ten unique studio albums, this one probably represents her diverse talents best.

While the primary color scheme of Speak Now involves shades of purple, the deluxe edition has a red cover. It’s worth noting that the opening two track of Midnights are entitled “Lavender Haze" and "Maroon" - respectively shades of purple and red. On none other than October 25th - Speak Now’s 12th anniversary - Swift premiered a music video for her single “Bejeweled,” packed to the brim with purple and red visuals. Swift even dons purple earrings.

Motifs of the number three are plentiful in the video and Midnights release process - the deluxe tracks dropped at 3 a.m. The clock in the video is set to 3 a.m. Swift’s pocketwatch proclaims that her exile will end in three seconds. And Speak Now is Swift’s third studio album. Dragons from the lyrics of “Long Live” (“I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you”) appear towards the end. At one point, Swift’s character in the video is told to “speak not,” just one letter away from the album’s title. Instrumentals of "Enchanted" play at about fifteen seconds into the video.

Thematically, the music video reimagines the story of Cinderella. Before redirection from Big Machine Records, such fairytales heavily influenced Swift’s process of making the album. Swift has previously shared that had it not been for her label, she would’ve named it Enchanted. Several songs on Speak Now - for instance, “Enchanted” and “Long Live” - directly reference and draw immense inspiration from classic fairytales. The video contains numerous dreamy elements, similar to the visuals on her Speak Now tour. With greater creative freedom under her new label, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) may lean more into fantasies and magic-related aspects than the original did. It could even be called Enchanted (Taylor’s Version) like Swift had always wanted.

But the biggest clue lies in the elevator buttons. The buttons appear to reference the color scheme of Swift’s albums in order - including the re-releases of Fearless and Red. Both the third and thirteenth buttons are purple, as she presses the third. Wow, at this point, she really made it obvious for us.

Swift’s next album will be her thirteenth, which longtime fans will know is a special number to the star. Therefore, the rollout process is likely to be eventful, dramatic, and probably even sentimental. Some fans have predicted that Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) will arrive on October 25th, 2023 - the original album’s thirteenth anniversary. For the past two years, Swift has dropped new albums every fall, and the continuation of this trend is definitely possible.

With Swift’s re-recordings of her back catalogue, the star blesses both old and new fans, allowing everyone to relive her past eras. Swift's return to the country music scene is a historic moment in the genre and industry at large. Whenever Speak Now (Taylor's Version) comes, we'll be waiting. We're excited to hear a re-imagined rendition of an album that has shaped the course of modern country music.