I am the opposite of a casual Reputation fan. Four of my five most-listened-to songs on Spotify are from the 2017 album, I wore a Rep-inspired outfit to my Eras Tour show, and I am constantly analyzing (and talking about) its symbolism. I stand by the fact that this album, as misunderstood as it is, is actually the key to understanding Taylor Swift herself, which is why its rerelease is the one I've been most looking forward to. With TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit, it feels like there's a new theory every day about when we'll get Reputation (Taylor's Version), but I'm pretty sure Taylor's been telling us the announcement date the whole time.
Is there gonna be a Reputation Taylor's Version?
Yes, we're getting a Reputation (Taylor's Version)! Taylor Swift has been very vocal about the fact she's rerecording her first five albums. However, she's been less direct about the order or the release schedule, which is honestly more fun!
When is Taylor Swift releasing Reputation (Taylor's Version)?
We don't have an official Reputation (Taylor's Version) release date yet, but all signs point to an announcement on February 16. Let me explain.
When the music video for "Karma" from Midnights came out, featuring a shot of Taylor holding a cappuccino, Swifties immediately picked up on the symbolism. The blue nail (which represents 1989 (Taylor's Version)) lines up with the 8 on the clock, and the black nail (representing Reputation (Taylor's Version)) lines up with the 2 on the clock. Taylor ended up announcing 1989 TV on August 9 — and now I'm more convinced than ever she's announcing Reputation TV in February!
As far as *which* day in February, Swifties think it will be the 16th because 2.16 keeps showing up in Taylor's projects. It's the number on the license plate at the end of the "I Can See You" music video from Speak Now (Taylor's Version). The 16th also falls into the 112 day theory, which highlights the fact each of her releases has been 112 days apart. Her subtle shift to a darker Instagram aesthetic, her TIME photoshoot, and her outfit choices for Travis Kelce's games all seem to be prepping for the Rep era as well!
Another announcement date could be Thursday, December 21, according to a viral TikTok theory. 13 days before Taylor Swift announced both Speak Now TV and 1989 TV, she changed all her social media profiles back to a Midnights layout — which is exactly what she just did! But only time will tell whether we get the announcement or a surprise drop. Because in the words of Taylor herself, "there will be no explanation, there will just be Reputation." ;)
What caused Taylor Swift to make Reputation?
The primary catalyst for Taylor Swift's Reputation era was a phone call with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. After Taylor said Kanye did not have her permission to say he "made that b*tch famous" in "Famous," a video leak from Kim seemed to show Taylor did actually give her permission (it was later revealed the video was edited, and Taylor gave her permission to be mentioned, *not* to be called a b*tch).
"#TaylorSwiftIsOverParty" began trending on Twitter, and everyone from the media to the general public began calling her a snake. So she disappeared from the public eye for over a year, and Reputation was born. The era was moody — and full of snake imagery. Taylor says in her TIME interview that the album came from "a goth-punk moment of female rage at being gaslit by an entire social structure," and told Rolling Stone in 2019 that Reputation was a "metaphor" and her "playing a character."
How old was Taylor when she wrote Reputation?
Taylor began writing Reputation in 2016, when she was 27. However, the stories she's telling go back farther than that since "Dancing With Our Hands Tied" talks about a relationship from when she was 25.
Is Reputation a love album?
While Reputation is sassy, moody, and satirical, I stand by the idea that it's actually a love album at its core. While the general public talked most about "Ready for It?" and "Look What You Made Me Do," songs like "Delicate," "Call It What You Want," and "New Year's Day" are all about healing after the media turned against her. The message of the album is all about how she wants to spend the the ins and outs of life with people she loves, because they make the boring days beautiful, which is also the sentiment running throughout "Lover."
"I want your midnights, but I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day" and "We can leave the Christmas lights up 'til January" are the same!!
What are the Reputation Taylor's Version vault tracks?
While we don't have the tracklist for Reputation (Taylor's Version) yet, she did mention in her TIME interview that the vault tracks will be "fire."
"I’m collecting horcruxes,” she says of the rerecordings. “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.”
I'm going to be real honest, this is the line that sent me into a tailspin because the idea that Taylor loves stories like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and the MCU as much as I do is too much!! But it makes sense because after all, she *is* a storyteller.
Are there any other clues that "Reputation (Taylor's Version) will come out next?
Recently, Taylor showed up to the 81st Golden Globe Awards in an all green ensemble, which is already so Reputation-coded to begin with. However, fans noticed one teeeeeeeny tiny detail about her look that really leans into all the theories that Rep (TV) is next. If you zoom in on her rings, one of them is a snake that's wrapped around her finger. 🐍
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Lead image via Big Machine Records
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