This may be the only time you ask yourself: ‘Is it Monday yet?’
That’s because Taylor Swift’s 1989 album is officially dropping, and it feels like we’ve been waiting our entire lives for October 27.
Now, Taylor has been nice enough to give us three tracks off the album, which all sound like perfection to my ears, but what else can you expect from her first all-pop LP?
Well, let us break it down for you. Here are 15 things you need to know about Taylor Swift’s brand-new 1989 album.
1. Welcome To New York
We may learn a lot about Taylor’s new love of her life: New York City. Calling it one of her biggest inspirations ever, she portrays a picture-perfect image of the “electric city” on the first track off the album, “Welcome To New York.” Oh, and get ready, because this is about to become the anthem for anyone looking to pack their bags and make the move.
2. And To The ’80s
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Even though she was born in 1989, she probably doesn’t remember her short time in the fanny-pack, scrunchy era, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t influenced by the “endless possibility” that the late ’80s had to offer. Taylor told Rolling Stone that she was inspired by her favorite ’80s acts like Annie Lennox, Phil Collins and “Like Prayer”-era Madonna.”
3. It’s Still About Heartbreak
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She may not have had a boyfriend in a while (at least not publicly), but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any traces of love gone astray, especially on the song, “This Love.” Taylor sings about finding herself with someone new, but longing for the past: “Tossing, turning, struggled through the night with someone new/ And I could go on and on, on and on/Lantern, burning, flickered in my mind for only you.”
4. But It’s Not All About Boys
Taylor told Rolling Stone that her album’s “not as boy-centric” because that’s not what her life is about these days, In fact, she claims she’s not gone on a date in more than a year and a half.
5. Well, Maybe One
Their roller coaster romance may not have lasted long, but Taylor’s time with Harry Styles was long enough to spark some inspiration. Reportedly there are four songs on the album about Haylor: “Out of The Woods” (I mean that “paper necklace” reference sort of gives it away), “I Wish You Would,” “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” and the amazingly titled “Style,” which is about a guy with slicked-back hair, which Harry used to rock before that man bun.
6. Taylor Totally Knows You Talk About Her, Okay?
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It’s always a good thing when you can laugh at yourself, and Taylor does just that on the song “Blank Space,” which pokes fun at her “serial dating” track record. “Got a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane/ But I’ve got a blank space/ and I’ll write your name.”
7. No BFF Anthems
Taylor may be all about her lady friends at the moment, but unfortunately there isn’t a “best friends anthem” dedicated to Lorde, Selena Gomez, Jamie King or Karlie Kloss. So I guess we will never really know what happens at a Taylor Swift slumber party. Sad face.
8. But There May Be A Cat Fight
I don’t know about you, but “Bad Blood,” may just be my first play of 1989, because I’m dying to figure out what this cat fight could be about. Supposedly the song is about a certain someone, possibly a pop star — ummm Katy Perry? — whom Taylor said tried to “sabotage” her entire arena tour. “Scars on my back from your knife. … Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes,” Taylor sings on the song. Yikes.
9. There’s A Song For Everyone (Even Ugly-Criers)
This isn’t something new for Taylor — she’s always written songs that you can relate to and that tug at the heart strings, and thankfully she’s doing it again. So be prepared to once again laugh, dance and have full-on ugly-cry sessions as you listen to the album.
10. It’s Pure Pop…
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Taylor really wasn’t kidding when she said that this was her “first documented, official pop album,” so it will sound a bit different, but good different. There’s more electronic, synths, and heavy beats, and Taylor totally makes it work.
11. So Expect Some Max Martin
Is Taylor’s “I Knew You Were Trouble,” one of your favorites? Well, then you’ll most likely love love love this album since “Trouble” producer Max Martin, with help of protégé Shellback, was the executive producer, along with Taylor, on the album.
12. And Some fun.
Taylor teamed up with fun. guitarist and Bleacher’s frontman Jack Antonoff for three tracks including “Out of The Woods,” which he co-wrote/produced. The two basically became musical soul mates, bonding at her house in Rhode Island over John Hughes flicks and recording music in Jack and girlfriend Lena Dunham’s living room.
13. You’ll Hear Lena Dunham’s ‘Someday’ Wedding Song
Jack and Taylor also did Lena a solid favor in the process, creating her “someday wedding song,” “You Are in Love.” But with lyrics like, “One night, he wakes/ Strange look on his face/ Pauses, then says/ ‘You’re my best friend’/ And you know what is was/ He is in love,” it seems like Lena might have to lend out that wedding song to all of the fans who’ll fall in love with the song, too.
14. Short Hair Don’t Care
Not sure how Taylor plans on turning her hair into a song (if anyone could do it, she could), but she told British Vogue that it’s a “big theme in the album.” Maybe it brought out that bad-ass new attitude of hers that I’m obsessed with.
15. Bonus Play
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Now this is a pretty spectacular way to end your album. There are three bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of the LP that are actually voice memos recorded to Taylor’s phone that were later turned into songs (“I Wish You Would,” “I Know Places” and “Blank Spaces”). OMG.
Related: Meet The Totally Bad-Ass New Taylor Swift
Christina Garibaldi
Christina Garibaldi has been an on-camera reporter for MTV News since 2011. When not interviewing or writing about her favorite stars, she keeps herself busy with baby animal videos and boy bands.
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