Taylor Swift’s Midnights was created over the course of many years throughout Taylor’s songwriting career. The songs were then compiled into this album and fans have been attaching these songs to different album eras. This has resulted in fans creating playlists on music streaming platforms that connect songs from past albums to this album’s tracklist.
The album broke countless records in its first week. CNN reports that 1.2 million album units were sold in the US during the first three days following the release. It has become the third-most streamed album in a single week and created her biggest sales week since 2017’s Reputation, according to Billboard.
Marketing and breaking records have intersected with this album. It is interesting how many versions of album covers she releases. Midnights had 5 separate versions of physical albums released: Jade Green Edition, Moonstone Blue Edition, Mahogany Edition, Blood Moon Edition, and Lavender Edition (Target Exclusive). A clean version of the album is also sold. By contrast, Harry’s House which had previously held the top spot for vinyl sales only has 3 versions. The Orange and Seaglass Green Vinyls also do not have varying covers like the Midnights albums do. There is also a holder for all 4 special editions of Midnights to create a working clock. It is hard to tell whether the records broken for physical editions are based purely on the number of people buying or from people that bought multiple versions. This is not the first time she has done this either, 2020’s folklore had 8 different cover versions.
It is no doubt though that Swift has hit a new wave of popularity within the past two years. 2020’s folklore had her switch genres again, to alternative this time. This and evermore opened her to another audience. The re-records on top of this brought back past audiences who missed her earlier work.
Keep an eye out for tickets to Taylor Swift’s next tour “The Eras Tour” where she will be performing songs from all her different albums.
Here are our top picks from the album:
SC’s:
Sweet Nothing– The sweet simple piano melody in the background of this song brings a sense of childlike comfort as it resembled a beat from a nursery rhyme. The lyrics represent a love that provides that same comfort many found in their childhood where there was no pressure about what the world expected of the lyricist. This song talks about a relationship where the artist could be completely themselves and the music supports this idea with its simple melody and background vocals.
Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve- Over a deep moody beat, Swift sings about her innocence being taken away as a teenager. The song explores the kind of “if” statements many find themselves wondering throughout their lives. The song also dives deep into how these choices at a young age affected spiritual faith with many nodes to the Christian faith in the lyrics of the song. The fast-paced bridge of the song describes how she can never undo the things that were done and she can not let go fully of the person she is singing about. This song shows how decisions you made long ago in the past can still haunt you now and gives the listener insight into what the artist was dealing with at such a young age.
Anti Hero– This, newly TikTok famous, song reflects on different parts of mental health and the depths of relationships. Some people take all the lyrics as written and think she is blaming herself for every problem that the media has ever reported her going through in life. Others believe it is all sarcastic and she is referring to herself as the media sees her and everything is her fault in their eyes. I think it can be taken as a mix of both. She admits to the mental health struggles she faces and the thoughts she has about herself, but other parts are exaggerated to prove a point that the media attacks her for things everyone experiences.
SJ’s
Karma– On my first listen the lyrics seemed a little silly. There is a rumor that Karma was going to be her 6th album instead of reputation. The way I was taken aback on the first listen I’m unsure how it would have done as a possible title track. As I listened to Midnights more though, the catchiness of Karma had me listening to it on repeat. It then started to make more sense: karma has given her all of these great things mentioned in the song.
Paris– I think this song could be one of Taylor’s most romantic songs. It could have easily been a track on the Lover album. The idea that you are so enamored with your significant other that everything around you doesn’t matter.
Maroon– Swift takes her description of the color red to a whole new level in this song. The line about splashing wine reminds me of Clean’s “You’re still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore” from the 1989 album. She discusses the effects of a significant other and their disconnect with synonyms and red-colored visuals like “Carnations you had thought were roses, that’s us.” The use of deeper vocals really separates this one from some of the other slower songs.
