Taylor Swift’s forthcoming studio album, “Lover”, is set for release on Aug. 23. Image: Universal Records via AFP Relaxnews
“The Archer”, which was co-produced by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff, was first teased in the accompanying video for “You Need to Calm Down” with a GIF of an arrow hitting a target.
The song finds Swift addressing her insecurities in a seemingly happy relationship.
“Dark side, I search for your dark side/But what if I’m alright, right, right, right here?/And I cut off my nose just to spite my face/Then I hate my reflection for years and years,” she sings.
Swift revealed “The Archer” in the middle of an Instagram live session on July 24, also announcing that it is the fifth track of her forthcoming album “Lover”.
Track five bears a particular significance for her fans as they noticed that Swift traditionally puts her most “honest, emotional, vulnerable and personal” songs in that slot.
“There is a lot that is covered, emotionally. And I really wanted to give you track 5 before the album came out. Track 5 is kind of a tradition that really started with you guys, because I did not realize I was doing this, because as I was making albums, I do not know why, but instinctively, I was putting a very emotional, honest track as track 5,” she explained during her Instagram session.
“The Archer” follows the previously released “ME!” and “You Need to Calm Down”, which will also appear on “Lover”.
On July 23, MTV announced that the accompanying music videos for both songs have offered Swift ten nominations in the Video Music Awards, whose ceremony will take place on Aug. 27.
Other artists competing for the Video of the Year award are 21 Savage, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and the Jonas Brothers. HM/JB
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