Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (2024)

Music

Singer's talked-about music video is filled with symbolic references, and eagle-eyed fans are eagerly decoding its hidden meanings

Taylor Swift is nothing if not a vengeful lyricist and a pro at image reinvention; her new, darker, self-satirizing persona makes that abundantly clear. The singer, who dropped the music video for her scathing new single “Look What You Made Me Do” at Sunday night’s VMAs, hid numerous details in plain sight for her fans to see, interpret and discuss.

The song, which is an aural burn book of all of Swift’s past (and current) critics, takes aim at several of her more high-profile detractors with lines like “I don’t like your tilted stage” (a possible jab at West’s tilted stage on his Saint Pablo tour) and moments like her faux phone call announcing that “the old Taylor is dead,” reminiscent of her controversial recorded call with the rapper.

But Swift’s symbol-drenched music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, adds another layer to her good-girl-gone-bad anthem. Here are 13 things you may have missed during Sunday night’s premiere – and why they matter in the world of Swifties and perpetual shade-throwing.

1. The Nils Sjoberg tombstone in the opening scene. As many will remember, Nils Sjoberg was the pseudonym that Swift used for a songwriting credit on her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris’ 2016 summer hit, “This Is What You Came For.” When it was revealed that Swift was, in fact, the creative mind behind the single, some short-lived drama ensued, with Harris slamming his ex and bringing up her ongoing beef with Katy Perry.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (1)

2. The “Out of the Woods” dress. When the music video opens, Swift bursts through the ground of a graveyard as a fully fledged zombie – wearing the iconic blue dress from her “Out of the Woods” music video. It’s notable that the video for her fairytale-inspired single was the last from her 1989 era, possibly indicating from the get-go that that era is done for good now. (Zombie Taylor is also a nice tribute to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.)

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3.The 2014 Met Gala dress. Similarly, the Swift lying prone in the grave is wearing the very Oscar de la Renta gown thatthe singer wore to the Met Gala in 2014. At the time, the then-24-year-old pop singer called the opportunity to wear the designer’s gown “a daydream realized.”

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (2)

4. The single dollar bill in a bathtub full of diamonds. Swift’s decision to bathe in jewels and not money – but to feature a single dollar bill just beyond her right shoulder – was a very calculated one. Fans speculate that the single bill represents the $1 she was awarded after she won her sexual assault case against former radio DJ David Mueller.

5. The “Et Tu Brute” etchings on her golden throne. The superstar looks regal sitting atop a gold throne covered in snakes, but there’s one subtle detail that adds a layer to Swift’s haughty posture. On the arm of the throne, as well as on the oversized columns on either side of her seat, is the phrase “Et tu Brute,” a quote from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The famous line was uttered by Caesar, who was literally stabbed in the back by his former friends.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (3)

6. A snake serves Swift tea. One lucky reptile slithered straight up to Swift’s seat and poured the singer some piping hot tea at one point during her snake-charmer scene, a clear nod to the idea of Swift “serving tea” with the symbol-laden music video.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (4)

7. Swift transforms into a Katy Perry lookalike. If elements of the scene where Swift crashes a gold sports car into a pole look familiar, it’s because they are. Swift’s hair in the scene looks remarkably similar to nemesis Perry’s ‘do, and the sports car itself is undeniably reminiscent to the car in Perry’s 2009 video for “Waking Up in Vegas.” Relatedly, following the slow-motion crash, the camera zooms in on a Grammy Award the singer is holding up; Swift has 10 Grammys while Perry has been nominated for several but has yet to win one.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (5)

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8. Swift and crew rob Stream Co. The singer dons a hoodie (that reads, in bedazzled letters, “Blind for love”) and swings a baseball bat to break and enter into a bank vault that boasts the name “Stream Co.” – a clear nod to her previous battle with streaming services. Her full discography was made available to Spotify, Tidal, and other services earlier this year.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (6)

9. Swift heads up a class of models at Squad U. The singer has gotten plenty of flack over the years for what some have dubbed her highly manufactured, model-perfect pack of close gal pals, and this scene was a direct hit back at those perceptions. She also writhes next to a pile of unmoving figures at one point during the scene, perhaps giving a nod to the idea that she surrounds herself with “fake” friends.

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Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (7)

10. Those “I Heart TS” shirts. There was no missing the spectacle that was Swift’s whirlwind relationship with Tom Hiddleston, and in one particularly damning scene, the singer dances with a group of men (including close friend and YouTube star Todrick Hall) all donning “I Heart TS” crop tops, a nod to the now-infamous tank top that Hiddleston donned at one of Swift’s July Fourth parties. Also of note: There are eight men dancing behind her in this scene – a possible reference to Swift’s eight famous exes? (Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, John Mayer, Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor Kennedy, Harry Styles, Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston.) One more note about this particular sequence in the video, set in a mansion: While an earlier preview of this scene had many fans comparing it to Beyonce’s “Formation,” which director Kahn downplayed, in full context, it was more reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s baroque “Paparazzi” clip.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (8)

11. Swift stands atop a mountain of former selves. The singer looks triumphant as she strikes a pose on top of a large pile of her former iconic personas, including a ballet dancer (“Shake It Off”), a circus marshall (from her Red tour) and even a nerdy high schooler (“You Belong With Me”). At one point, the latter even gets kicked in the head by what looks to be the Vetements boots she wore on the cover of Vogue in May 2016.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (9)

12. Her besties make a “cameo” in the video. Swift’s “Junior Jewels” T-shirt from her geeky “You Belong With Me” music video now displays the names of her closest pals: Gigi [Hadid], Martha [Hunt], Abigail [Anderson], Blake [Lively], Ryan [Reynolds], Claire [Kislinger], Ed [Sheeran], Selena [Gomez], Lena [Dunham], Este [Haim], Danielle [Haim], Alana [Haim] and Todrick [Hall], among others. Glaringly absent from that list: Squad mainstays Karlie Kloss, Lorde and Ruby Rose.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (10)

13. She quotes some of her most headline-making moments. The multiple Swift clones that stand on the airplane tarmac all begin to squabble with each other during the last 40 seconds of the music video, with several of the Swift personas reciting some now-familiar lines, like “I’d very much like to be excluded from this narrative,” referencing a line from her scathing response to her feud with West and wife Kim Kardashian over his hit “Famous.”

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (11)

From Katy Perry’s spotty debut as host to Kendrick Lamar’s victory to a Chester Bennington tribute, here’s VMAs 2017 highs and lows. Watch here.

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed (2024)

FAQs

Taylor Swift's 'Look What ...' Video Decoded: 13 Things You Missed? ›

In an interview with MTV News from 2009, Swift explained why she often drew the number 13 on her hand before performances. "I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks.

What does the number 13 mean to Taylor Swift? ›

In an interview with MTV News from 2009, Swift explained why she often drew the number 13 on her hand before performances. "I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks.

What was the number 13 in the Super Bowl? ›

Fans have said this is Swift's "lucky Super Bowl," even though San Francisco's star quarterback Brock Purdy wears No. 13. The popstar was born on December 13th and used to write the number on her hand as a nod to the numeral.

What's the deal with Taylor Swift and Easter eggs? ›

The original Easter egg, Swift began incorporating hidden messages in her album's lyric booklets by capitalizing specific letters. The codes would either offer a hint at who the song was about (See: Stephen), or nod to a specific experience she had.

Why did Taylor Swift write the song Look What You Made Me Do? ›

At times, she assumed the role of the villain many were trying to make her out to be. But, she didn't do so without holding a mirror up to her accusers. “Look What You Made Me Do” sees Swift remind those who had a hand in her temporary downfall that maybe she got her comeuppance, but you'll all get yours.

What is the meaning of 13? ›

In ancient cultures, the number 13 represented femininity, because it corresponded to the number of lunar (menstrual) cycles in a year (13 × 28 = 364 days). The theory is that, as the solar calendar triumphed over the lunar, the number thirteen became anathema. Hammurabi's code.

Why Does Taylor Swift have a 13 tattoo? ›

“I don't think I could ever commit to something permanent.” She then explained that if she were to get something, it would most likely be her lucky number 13. “I just don't want to get a tattoo,” she declared, but explained that she's written the number 13 on her hand during performances, along with random song lyrics.

What is the rule of 13 for Taylor Swift Super Bowl? ›

My first No. 1 song had a 13-second intro,” Swift said. “Every time I've won an award I've been seated in either the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th section or row M, which is the 13th letter.

Is 13 a lucky number? ›

The perception of 13 as lucky or unlucky varies across cultures. In some traditions, it's considered unlucky due to historical or religious reasons, while in others, it holds positive connotations. Superstitions surrounding the number 13 often stem from cultural influences and historical events.

Who won the 13 Super Bowl ever? ›

How many exs does Taylor Swift have? ›

Over the years, Taylor Swift has had a series of high-profile relationships, from musicians to actors. She has 12 publicly-known exes. Here is more about each one. According to Elle, Swift dated Joe Jonas in 2008, but their relationship only lasted a couple of months.

How did Taylor get so rich? ›

Taylor has amassed a net worth of $1.1 billion from a few different avenues including; the revenue from her tours, the release of her music, her concert films and her real estate portfolio.

Is Taylor Swift a billionaire? ›

The financial news outlet said she is the first artist to achieve billionaire status solely on the basis of her music, and estimated she has a $1.1 billion fortune.

How long did Taylor and Jake date? ›

The couple's whirlwind romance unfolded in late 2010. Captured by paparazzi, they enjoyed cozy coffee dates and a Thanksgiving outing in New York City. However, by the end of the year, reports confirmed their split. While the exact duration remains unknown, it appears their time together lasted roughly three months.

Did Taylor Swift write a song about Kanye West? ›

Swift was inspired to write "Innocent" by Kanye West's interruption of her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift wrote all tracks on her third studio album Speak Now (2010), by herself.

What song did Taylor Swift wrote when she was 13? ›

Taylor wrote "A Place in this World" when she was 13 years old.

What is the power of the number 13? ›

The number 13 brings the test, the suffering and the death. It symbolises the death to the matter or to oneself and the birth to the spirit: the passage on a higher level of existence. (In Tarot, no. 13 card is named as Death, but it mostly means death of a struggling period and new beginning s.

What is Taylor's number? ›

In fluid dynamics, the Taylor number (Ta) is a dimensionless quantity that characterizes the importance of centrifugal "forces" or so-called inertial forces due to rotation of a fluid about an axis, relative to viscous forces.

Why is 13 a lucky number? ›

Did you know that in some cultures, 13 is actually considered a symbol of good fortune? Take ancient Egyptians, for example. They revered the number 13, associating it with the afterlife and the eternal soul. And, there were those 13 steps leading up to the gallows in old English law – talk about reaching new heights.

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