Cruel Summer

I feel like the main draw of waiting until an album release is that you get more attention and press, so more people tune in. When it's "just" a deluxe, though, this standalone single strategy - especially from someone known for not doing that - might actually be the better way to go to maximize listeners on the song's release day and drum up some excitement for the reissue. I think she'll stick to simultaneous release for new albums, but I wouldn't be shocked to see a deluxe single like this come out separately again if this strategy is successful enough.

The fact that her store sent a mass email with just an iTunes preorder link, she wants that #1 bad, get those coins

I agree - and I hope you're right. We know she's in tune with critic reception and online/fan discourse, and there's no way in hell she doesn't know how Showgirl was received. I'm hoping this single and the deluxe as a whole are intentional responses to that - but not just snarky or obstinate responses, like actually recognizing what went wrong and fixing it, even if the commentary element is snarky (I could imagine that the title serves as a metaphor for intense scrutiny and expectations, and I can imagine her being a little pointed about it).

If anything it just improved her standing with like, families - it helped to indoctrinate the youth and keep the constant fan supply coming for a couple more decades Plus reception overall was pretty positive and there's awards buzz for it, not to mention how it was the vessel for her big country radio return and making amends with that format and community. Even if some people don't find it all that memorable, it probably did more good for her brand overall than anything she's done in the last decade besides Folklore and, of course, the Eras Tour. Honestly, any damage that came from Showgirl getting mixed reception was probably entirely mitigated by what IKIIKY did for her and Ophelia being an acclaimed smash.

ngl I came for Tinashe and her Poptarts

if she doesn't sue this man into the ******* core of the earth after his old, ugly, rotted ass leaves office I swear to god

Even just four would at least tie both those records - she'd be one of only two artists ever if she got a fifth, with the Beatles who had 6 and 5 in different years. Thee Female Beatles confirmed

I was just thinking about how this being a pre-release single and then another single being pushed at release or near the end of the year from this alleged deluxe could feasibly push her to five

Wait, if this is for a Showgirl deluxe, she's 100% aiming for it to beat TTPD's total weeks at #1 by pushing it through the holidays - omg no, stop the count!

the way the piano version cover eats the other two up sooo hard though, I just know that one's going to be an evermore/anthology serve! when this comes out and sounds like wood please nobody clock me

Not gonna lie, when I first saw the single covers and title, the first thing I thought was "is this lady doing a Grey's Anatomy soundtrack single for its 247th season or"

Honestly, even with a huge smash, I think she'd need a little help to be sure CT doesn't come back for a millionth time after this runs its course - don't the year's biggest hits usually gain a bit once we get close to Christmas?

Assuming it's preceding a Showgirl deluxe release later this fall, that makes it her first sort of, kind of standalone "lead" single since Me!

I really hope that the piano version has its own vocal take like the IKIIKY piano version. That's the best version of the latter easily, and I'd love it if she made that a habit for single releases going forward - it offers such a different take on the track. IKIIKY's piano version felt less like a country soundtrack cut and more like something that could easily and comfortably fit in on Folklore. More of that, please!

When that happens and it technically makes Showgirl her album with the most #1 hits over 1989

Girlie's going for that multiweek #1 with these shipping in October, she saw Ophelia smash and then IKIIKY radio payola succeed and she wants more

At this time, it's just a single. Rumor is that it's essentially the lead single for a deluxe version of The Life of a Showgirl or something similar.

Aaron Dessner prayer circle

God I hope so, if that means something like 8 new songs that are all better than most of the original release (and I LOVE The Fame, but we all know TFM is and forever will be that girl!)

For me, it's the framing, posing, and composition - there's a couple shots in the overall TTPD shoot that especially the piano version cover, the one I'm using as an avi now, sort of resembles, but with color of course.

Whiners and trolls in here already. I will never understand why some of you can't just, like, not click play if you don't like her. More parasocial than any actual Swiftie I've ever met lmao

Don't get my hopes up omg

The TTPD photoshoot vibes, I won!

Snatched all three and next day shipping, better be a good song girlie bc I already paid!

Lead single for a deluxe would actually be insane and I'm kinda here for how it would make ATRL fume so hard