She surprised fans on Thursday when she announced the release of her eighth studio album titled Folklore at midnight on Friday.
And Taylor Swift‘s fans have begun speculating about the Easter Eggs on the release from the the story of her home to Blake Lively’s third child’s name, and Joe Alwyn’s secret writing credit.
The singer, 30, is known for including secret meanings in her music and Folklore is no different as she told fans at midnight: ‘One thing I did purposely on this album was put the Easter eggs in the lyrics, more than just the videos.
Hidden meaning: Taylor Swift sparked Easter Egg speculation on her new surprise album Folklore after it was released at midnight on Friday
‘I created character arcs and recurring themes that map out who is singing about who. For example there’s a collection of 3 songs I refer to as The Teenage Love Triangle.
‘These 3 songs explore a love triangle from all 3 people’s perspectives at different times in their lives.’
Fans have speculated that the three characters are Betty, James, and Inez, with song Betty told from James’ point of view, Cardigan from Betty’s perspective, and August was from Inez’s perspective.
While this is yet to be confirmed by Taylor herself, fans believe that the song sees James cheat on Betty despite their budding romance.
Could it be? Fans speculated whether she revealed pal Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold’s third baby’s name, whose gender has also not been revealed
Hints: On the album she featured characters James, Inez and Betty, the first two are the names of Blake and Ryan’s two daughters (pictured in April)
Fans also believed that the song gave away the name of Taylor’s friend Blake’s third child, who she shares with husband Ryan Reynolds and was born in 2019.
Though the child’s gender and name has yet to be revealed, the couple’s other two daughters are named James, five, and Inez, three, so it was speculated that their third child could be called Betty.
It was also claimed that Taylor’s song The Last Great American Dynasty refers to her Rhode Island mansion, which was owned by Rebekah Harkness, who went by Betty.
Storyteller: The singer often includes secret meanings in her music and she said her music has a ‘Teenage Love Triangle’ which fans believe refers to characters James, Betty and Inez
Looking deeper: Fans have speculated that Taylor’s song Betty was told from James’ point of view, Cardigan from Betty’s perspective, and August was from Inez’s perspective.
Harkness was married to oil tycoon William which made her one of the wealthiest women in America, and the song’s mention of a ‘mad woman’ appeared to reference her wild antics during her lifetime.
Meanwhile Swifties are also speculating whether two of the songs on Taylor’s album may have been co-written with her boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
In her Instagram post announcing the release, Taylor thanked her collaborators Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver, Jack Antonoff and William Bowery, and fans quickly jumped to the conclusion that Bowery, who wasn’t tagged and has no online profile, must be the British actor who has been self-isolating with the pop superstar during the coronavirus pandemic.
History of her home: It was also claimed Taylor’s song The Last Great American Dynasty refers to her Rhode Island mansion, which was owned by Rebekah Harkness, who went by Betty
Taylor revealed in her Instagram post that Dessner had co-written or produced 11 of the 16 tracks on Folklore.
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon co-wrote and sang with her on one song while Bowery co-wrote two songs with her.
Joe, 29, who has appeared in the films The Favourite and Mary Queen of Scots, has been dating the Shake It Off hitmaker since 2016 and revealed in April that he was quarantining with her when he shared an Instagram Story showing her cat Benjamin Button.
Unexpected: Taylor completely surprised Swifties with her Instagram announcement that she would be releasing Folklore at midnight, sharing an image and tracklist for the album
Secret: Fans are speculating the mysterious William Bowery who co-wrote two songs on Taylor Swift’s surprise new album Folklore is actually her boyfriend Joe Alwyn under a pseudonym
In her official announcement, Taylor shared a snap of the the album artwork alongside a teaser of the music video for her new single Cardigan, which was also released at midnight.
In an accompanying caption Taylor wrote: ‘Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore…
‘Surprise Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into.’
Lockdown lovers: Joe, 29, has been dating Taylor since 2016 and revealed in April he was quarantining with her when he shared an Instagram Story showing her cat Benjamin Button
Taylor’s last album release, Lover, was in 2019. Her 2006 eponymous debut studio album was the longest-charting album of the 2000s.
Having sold more than 50 million albums and 150 million singles globally, Swift is one of the world’s best-selling music artists of all time.
Her accolades include 10 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and seven Guinness World Records; she is the most-awarded act and woman at the American Music Awards (29 wins) and Billboard Music Awards (23 wins), respectively.
Icon: Taylor’s last album Lover was released in 2019. To date, she has sold more than 50 million albums and 150 million singles worldwide making her one of the best-selling artists of all time