Taylor Swift is currently on her record-breaking “Eras” tour, where she’s been delighting fans with surprise songs at every concert. During her recent Seattle show, she treated the audience to a special acoustic version of “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” a track from her 2017 album “Reputation.”
The song has long been a subject of speculation among Swifties, who believe it may be about Taylor’s infamous feud with Kanye West. The feud dates back to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when Kanye famously interrupted Taylor’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video, proclaiming that Beyoncé should have won instead.
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The tensions between Taylor and Kanye escalated in 2016 when Kanye released the song “Famous,” which included derogatory lyrics about Taylor. Kanye claimed that he had gotten Taylor’s approval for the lyrics, but Taylor disputed this, leading to a public dispute between the two artists.
While several songs from the “Reputation” album have made it into regular rotation on the “Eras” tour setlist, the performance of “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” stands out as a potential hint at the future. Taylor has been re-recording her previous albums to gain control over her music catalog, and fans are eagerly anticipating the release of “Reputation (Taylor’s Version).”
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In videos posted on social media from the Seattle concert, Taylor is seen playfully emphasizing the bridge of the song with an extra loud cackle. The bridge contains the lyrics, “and here’s to you, because forgiveness is a nice thing to do… I can’t even say it with a straight face,” and Taylor’s delivery adds to the speculation that the song is indeed referencing her feud with Kanye. It’s worth noting that the laughter is part of the original recording of the song.
“Reputation” was a pivotal album for Taylor, as it allowed her to reclaim her image after several high-profile disputes and controversies. Many songs on the album speak to her experiences with the media, public perception, and relationships.
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Taylor has been careful about how she addresses past events in her re-recorded albums. During the “Eras” tour, when releasing “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” she urged fans to be kind online to avoid reigniting negativity related to past storylines, particularly those involving her ex-boyfriend, John Mayer.
As for “Reputation (Taylor’s Version),” there is no confirmed release date yet, and fans are eagerly awaiting more details. Taylor’s re-recordings have allowed her to take control of her music and artistic narrative, and the new version of “Reputation” promises to be an exciting moment for Swifties around the world.
