Taylor Swift gave the country music world a little wink on her new album Life of a Showgirl. But before we get to how, let’s take a few steps back.
Prior to announcing her new project on the New Heights podcast with her fiance Travis Kelce, there was some pretty heavy speculation that Swift may be returning to her country roots with this collection of songs.
It made sense. In fact, we put together a list of seven reasons why she should have ridden back into Nashville on her stallion. This list included her pop-up performance at a bar in Music City during Kelce’s Tight End University as well as the 20th anniversary of her debut album Fearless coming up next year. By the way, that album was a country album.
But once news broke of the project and the album artwork started making the rounds, it was very clear that country was pretty far from her creative mind.
That is, except for one song.
Which Taylor Swift Song Is a Nod to Her Country Roots?
“Ruin the Friendship” appears to be the continuation of her song “Forever Winter” which was a part of her Red album that was released in 2012. The collection was arguably Swift’s last offering to the country music format before she went all in on pop music.
The track, which she has re-released as part of her Taylor’s Version journey to get her music back, is about her high school best friend who passed away at the age of 21. Although she has not revealed this person’s name, many believe it was Jeff Lang, whom she dedicated the song to before performing it as the BMI Country Songwriter Awards.
Is “Ruin the Friendship” a Continuation of “Forever Winter”?
Swift has yet to divulge the details about the new song, but many fans have noticed similarities in the lyrics and the emotions of both tracks. Each speaks to a missed opportunities with someone before they’re gone forever.
In “Ruin the Friendship” she says outright that she should have kissed him even though he had a girlfriend and it would have ruined everything.
Some fans are calling the new song “Forever Winter 2.0.”
Listen to Swift’s “Ruin the Friendship” below and check out the lyrics along with the track list of The Life of a Showgirl.
13 Artists We’d Love to See Play Taylor Swift’s Wedding
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married! Although details about the wedding have yet to be revealed, we think there will be plenty of musical talent in the reception ballroom. So, we compiled a list of country artists we believe would be perfect to perform at what many are calling “America’s Royal Wedding.”
Gallery Credit: Jess Rose
