When it comes to Taylor Swift’s upcoming projects, she has a “big reputation” for dishing out Easter eggs and clues that allude to what’s coming next. This has been especially true for her (Taylor’s Version) albums, as she’s dropped clever hints in the lead-up to the re-releases of projects like Speak Now and 1989. Now, the focus has shifted over to the highly anticipated Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and all the hints that may point to when her sixth studio album’s re-record will be released.
Reputation And Taylor Swift's Re-Release Plans
Reputation (Taylor’s Version) can likely be predicted through a close look at Easter eggs in Taylor Swift’s music videos, both past and future, analysis of her outfits and constantly keeping tabs on what she’s posting.
Before Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) was announced, Swift laid Easter eggs in her “Bejeweled” music video that obviously alluded to her third album being her next re-release. Then in “Lavender Haze” she inserted more clues about the upcoming project, making it even clearer what was coming.
Groundwork like this is also being laid for Reputation (Taylor’s Version), so let’s break it down.
The Graffiti In The Man Music Video Alludes To The Re-Release Order
This theory dates back to Lover, but so far it’s proven to be true. In “The Man” music video the male version of Taylor Swift is seen by a wall in a train station with her album covers graffitied onto it. Clockwise, they go in this order:
- Fearless
- Red
- Speak Now
- Reputation
- 1989
So far, Swift has released the albums in that order, however with 1989 following Speak Now (Taylor's Version) it's possible she's creating an infinity sign, instead of a clock.
Reputation (Taylor's Version) Is Teased In The Karma Music Video
In the “Karma” music video there are more Easter eggs about 1989 (Taylor’s Version) than Reputation (Taylor’s Version). However, there are still plenty of clues that point toward the sixth album’s re-release. One of the big ones comes at the very end of the video when Swift is seen holding a coffee cup that has latte art of a clock on it. Notably her nails are light blue and black, which are the respective colors of the two aforementioned albums.
It seems like this might be slyly hinting at the announcement dates for the two projects. 1989 (Taylor's Version) was announced in August, the eighth month of the year, and it seemed like Reputation (Taylor’s Version) could have been announced in February. Notably, that didn’t happen. The Tortured Poets Department was announced at the Grammys in February instead.
However, two other numbers worth highlighting are 11 and 12. The minute hand sits near the 11 – possibly at 13 – while the hour hand is at 12. So, maybe we’ll get an announcement or release on December 13? That is her birthday!
Some other Easter eggs in this video that hint at Reputation (Taylor’s Version) include:
- The mask she’s wearing in the video resembles the one she wears during the “Look What You Made Me Do” video.
- Her slicked-back hair in the underworld looks like the hairdo she has on Reputation’s original album cover.
Overall, there are a few fun hints about this album coming out in the near future thanks to the “Karma” music video.
The I Can See You Music Video Features Reputation Easter Eggs
Throughout the “I Can See You Music” video, there is a myriad of Easter eggs that pay homage to Speak Now, 1989 and, of course, Reputation.
Focusing specifically on the Rep-coded eggs, the whole plot of the video is about a heist in a museum full of Swift’s old outfits and props. Notably, there’s a room full of glass boxes that hold mannequins wearing her old outfits. That is suspiciously similar to the boxes and costumes her dancers are in during “Look What You Made Me Do” during the Eras Tour.
Arguably the more important egg, though, is the car at the end of the video. While it was heading toward 1989, and that announcement came shortly after this video was released, the car is a “Getaway Car,” which happens to be the name of a beloved Rep song.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Style Is Giving Big Reputation
After spending over a year waiting for a new Reputation outfit, Taylor Swift finally donned a gold-snake one during her first show in Miami. Now, many Swifties (myself included) thought this new outfit would signify the announcement of the album’s (Taylor’s Version), however, that didn’t happen. But, it does add to the ongoing theory that Swift’s various Eras Tour looks are purposefully giving big Reputation energy.
Along with this monumental shift in the Rep world, it’s worth noting that most of Swift’s other sets frequently get new ensembles. For example, she debuted a black and gold mini dress during the Fearless set in Milan that was giving big “King Of My Heart”/ Rep world tour energy, as @thedoc6300 pointed out.
On top of that, she also has a Midnights blue outfit that has similar sparkle and detailing to a Rep tour fit, as @reputari noted.
So, isn’t it a bit suss that we’re getting outfits in different eras that feel a bit Rep coded? I think it is, especially when you start to consider the countdown theory too.
Surprise Songs Play Into The Theory That Reputation And Debut Will Be Released At The Same Time
Now, Debutation has felt like we’re taking the clowning a bit too far, although, lately, it hasn’t seemed all that far-fetched. This ongoing theory that Swift might release her last two re-recordings, Reputation and Taylor Swift, at the same time has been floating around for a while now. However, it really started to pick up steam when the pop star played multiple surprise songs that featured mashups of tracks from both albums.
For example, she dished out a wild pairing during Miami night two when she played “Should’ve Said No” from her debut album and “I Did Something Bad” off Reputation. That’s a lethal mashup if you ask me. Then she hammered home this Debutation tomfoolery by playing “Our Song” and “Call It What You Want” together during New Orleans’ first show.
So, all this has some fans thinking the “Look What You Made Me Do” singer might drop both albums at once, and honestly, I’m kind of here for it.
Are Taylor Swift’s New Eras Tour Looks Counting Down To A Reputation Announcement?
There’s a theory floating around that Taylor Swift might be debuting new Eras Tour looks in a countdown-like sequence. Following the Fearless dress’s first night in the spotlight, Swift rocked a new Speak Now ball gown the day after that. Now fans are wondering if she’s counting down, as @kiralovestaylor noted:
new outfits✨ - fearless - new red shirt on wednesday?? - speak now - double blue 1989 - new reputation outfit??
Considering “1, 2, 3…Let’s go bitch!” is a beloved Eras Tour tradition, I don’t think it’s far-fetched that a countdown will play into Reputation’s announcement. And who knows, maybe she is doing just that with these outfits.
Her VMAs Dress Seemed Like A Nod To Rep
How can we forget that moment in “Look What You Made Me Do” where Taylor Swift was literally bathing in diamonds? It was a real sight to see, and that video launched us into the Reputation era. At the 2022 VMAs (which was the night Swift also announced Midnights) the singer wore a dress that was legitimately dripping with diamonds. If that’s not a direct call out to Rep I don’t know what is.
Two Reputation (Taylor's Version) Songs Have Debuted In Prime Video Series
Is it just me, or is it a little suspicious that we've gotten not one, but two Reputation (Taylor's Version) debuts by way of Amazon Prime series? In early August, "Delicate (Taylor's Version) premiered in The Summer I Turned Pretty. Then, a few weeks later, "Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor's Version)" was used for Wilderness's teaser trailer. So, are these hints that her fifth album could be coming soon?
There Will Be Vault Tracks On Reputation (Taylor’s Version)
While Taylor Swift hasn’t spoken much directly about Reputation (Taylor’s Version), back in December 2023, she did confirm that there will be vault tracks and they will be “fire” during an interview with Time. She also compared this massive project to reclaim her first six albums to a fantastical journey, saying:
I’m collecting horcruxes. I’m collecting infinity stones. Gandalf’s voice is in my head every time I put out a new one. For me, it is a movie now.
So, with all that in mind, maybe the vault tracks on Rep will be firey, powerful and overall, magical!
Potential Release Dates For Reputation (Taylor's Version)
At one point Swifties theorized that Taylor Swift might “drop everything now” – meaning, she’d release all her (Taylor’s Versions) at one time – however that theory has been put to bed since the release of Speak Now and 1989. Now, it seems like the release dates she’s choosing are significant to the album she’s dropping.
For example, July 7 is noteworthy because Speak Now would go on to be the seventh album she outright owns, and July 9 is a date mentioned in “Last Kiss,” which is on the album. Meanwhile, 1989 (Taylor’s Version)’s release came on the ninth anniversary of the initial album’s release. So, it stands to reason that Reputation (Taylor’s Version) will also have a special date. Here are a few we think it could be:
- November 10, 2024: Reputation came out on November 10, 2017, so it wouldn’t be shocking if Swift announced or dropped its re-recording on its seventh anniversary. For reference: She does not have an Eras Tour show on November 10. The closest shows to that date are Indianapolis Night 3 (Nov. 3) and Toronto Night 1 (Nov. 14).
- December 8, 2024: This day marks the final show of the Eras Tour. Swift will take the stage in Vancouver, Canada for the final time that day, and I believe she’ll wrap up the Eras Tour with a surprise up her sleeve.
- December 13, 2024 – Taylor Swift's birthday falls on Friday the 13th this year, so it would track if she re-released Reputation to celebrate.
We’ve been clowning around about the release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version) for a very long time, and we’ll keep doing it until it's released. So, you better believe we’ll continue to keep you posted on all the theories surrounding what this “Mastermind” is planning.
