Taylor Swift is known for her surprise releases and unexpected twists. Her latest move is to release “Cruel Summer” as her new radio single, four years after it was first released on her seventh studio album “Lover” in 2019.
“Cruel Summer” is a pop song that narrates the fragility and uncertainty at the beginning of Taylor’s relationship with Joe Alwyn. The two met officially at the Met Gala in May 2016, although she was dating DJ Calvin Harris at the time and started seeing Tom Hiddleston shortly after. The song captures the conflicting emotions of falling in love while hiding a secret and fearing the worst.
The song was co-written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff and Annie Clark (also known as St. Vincent). It was produced by Swift and Antonoff, who have collaborated on many of her songs, including Out of the Woods, Look What You Made Me Do and Betty. The song features a catchy chorus, a bridge with spoken vocals and a synth-pop sound.
“Cruel Summer” was praised by critics and fans alike for its lyrics, production and vocals. It was also considered one of the best songs of 2019 by various publications, such as Rolling Stone, Billboard and Pitchfork. However, it was never released as an official single from “Lover”, despite being a fan favorite and a potential hit.
The reason for this decision is unclear, but some speculate that it was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult to promote new music and tour. Others suggest that it was because of Swift‘s feud with her former label Big Machine Records, which owned the rights to her first six albums, including ‘Lover’. Swift has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with the label and its sale to Scooter Braun, who she accused of bullying and manipulating her.
In November 2020, Swift announced that she had re-recorded her old albums to regain control over her music and legacy. She released “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” in April 2021 and “Red (Taylor’s Version)” in November 2021, both of which topped the charts and received critical acclaim. She also released two surprise albums in 2020, “Folklore” and “Evermore”, which showcased a more indie-folk style and won her multiple awards.
Now, Swift has decided to give “Cruel Summer” another chance to shine by releasing it as a radio single in December 2021. The song is part of “Lover (Taylor’s Version)“, which is expected to be released in early 2022. The song has already climbed up the iTunes charts and received positive reactions from listeners. Some fans have also noticed that the song fits well with the current season, as it references winter and Christmas.
Swift has not yet confirmed if she will release a music video for “Cruel Summer“, but some fans hope that she will surprise them with one soon. The song already has an official audio video on YouTube, which has over 57 million views as of December 2021. There is also a fan-made video that uses clips from Swift’s documentary “Miss Americana“, which has over 18 million views.
“Cruel Summer” is a testament to Swift’s enduring popularity and versatility as an artist. It is also a reminder of her ability to connect with her fans through her honest and relatable storytelling. Whether it is a cruel or a lovely summer, Swift’s music will always be there to accompany us.
About Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is one of the most successful and influential artists of all time. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards, among many other accolades. She is known for her catchy pop songs, her personal lyrics and her loyal fan base.
Swift started her career as a country singer at the age of 14. She released her self-titled debut album in 2006, which spawned hits such as “Tim McGraw”, “Teardrops on My Guitar” and “Our Song”. She followed it up with “Fearless” in 2008, which won her four Grammys, including Album of the Year. The album featured songs such as “Love Story”, “You Belong with Me” and “Fifteen”.
Swift then transitioned to pop music with “Speak Now” in 2010, “Red” in 2012 and “1989” in 2014. These albums showcased her growth as a songwriter and a performer, and produced hits such as “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “I Knew You Were Trouble”, “Blank Space” and “Shake It Off”. She also experimented with different genres and collaborators, such as Max Martin, Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar.
In 2017, Swift released “Reputation“, which was a darker and more mature album that addressed her reputation and controversies. The album included songs such as Look What You Made Me Do, …Ready for It? and Delicate. In 2019, she released Lover, which was a more upbeat and romantic album that celebrated love and happiness. The album included songs such as Me!, You Need to Calm Down and Lover.
In 2020, Swift surprised her fans by releasing two indie-folk albums, Folklore and Evermore, which she wrote and recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown. The albums were praised for their storytelling, production and aesthetics, and won her five Grammys, including Album of the Year for ‘Folklore’. The albums featured songs such as Cardigan, Exile, Willow and No Body, No Crime.
Swift is also known for her activism and philanthropy. She has spoken out about various issues, such as sexual assault, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights and climate change. She has also donated millions of dollars to various causes, such as education, health care, disaster relief and arts. She is an inspiration to many people around the world.
Swift is currently working on re-recording her old albums to regain ownership of her music. She has already released “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version)“, which have been well-received by fans and critics. She is expected to release “Lover (Taylor’s Version)” in early 2022, followed by “1989 (Taylor’s Version)“, “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” and “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)“.
Swift is also working on new music, which she has teased in interviews and social media posts. She has not revealed any details about her upcoming projects, but fans are eagerly anticipating her next surprise.