Pop sensation Taylor Swift is known for leaving Easter eggs in her music, so it was no surprise her recently released 1989 (Taylor’s Version) album featured plenty. On October 27th, Swift re-released her 2014 album, this time with five new vault tracks, including “Is It Over Now?”
Fans have begun to speculate about the vault song and its cryptic lyrics. Fans have plenty of theories, but one in particular seems to be growing popular: “Is It Over Now?” is about Swift’s ex, Harry Styles. Although vault tracks are brand-new to fans, these songs have been in the works since the original album was written. This song has left many Swift fans to taking a second look at 1989, wondering if Harry Styles was one of Taylor Swift’s biggest muses.
The Romance
Harry Styles and Taylor Swift first appeared together in 2012 at the Kid’s Choice Awards. They were spotted on camera singing and dancing to “What Makes You Beautiful.” Soon after that, Styles commented on Swift in a Seventeen article, calling her a “lovely girl.” From there, the relationship between the two mega stars blossomed.
In December 2012, they were photographed together in Central Park. And on New Year’s Eve of the same year, they were spotted at a party sharing a kiss. Fans went wild for the very public display of affection. Their fast-moving romance had fans and tabloids wondering what was next for the pair.
But this bliss didn’t last long, as Swift and Styles were photographed together in St. John a few months later, where Swift ultimately left the trip alone. In October 2014, Taylor Swift released 1989, where many fans picked up on two songs with lyrics pretty obviously about Harry Styles. “Style” and “Out of the Woods” seem to be the two tracks inspired by Styles.
The Message
“Style” and “Out of the Woods”are filled with Easter eggs relating to Swift and Style’s relationship. In “Style,” Swift sings about a James Dean-esque man who wears a white t-shirt and long slicked-back hair. These aesthetics were peak Harry Styles at the time, as he’d captured everyone’s attention with such a casual yet classic look.
“Out of the Woods” mentions the need for medical treatment after some sort of accident. The lyrics promptly state: “Remember when you hit the brakes too soon, twenty stitches in a hospital room.” This is a direct reference to a snowmobile incident Swift and Styles were in, which resulted in twenty stitches on his chin.
Swift seems to have made it quite clear that these two pieces are about her fleeting romance with Harry Styles. The new vault release, “Is It Over Now?” as Taylor Swift states, is the sister song to “Out of the Woods.” They both open with similar sounds and the lyrics seem to correlate with this idea of a short-lived love.
The Clues
One of the main clues that Swift fans have pointed out is the “blue dress on a boat.” This seems to reference a viral picture that was taken in January of 2013. She was photographed on a boat, in a blue dress, with sunglasses and a sad look. The picture was allegedly taken after the breakup during their trip to St. John. Fans also believe that this dress was worn in Swift’s “Out of the Woods” music video.
Besides the blue dress pap shots, Swift again gives reference to the snowmobile accident. The lyrics state, “When you lost control, red blood, white snow.” Once again, Swift gives insight into a pivotal moment in their relationship, as the snowmobile incident is often referenced throughout the songs of 1989.
Infidelity seems to be a large theme of this song, something in common with the rest of 1989‘s songs where Swift references Harry. “Is It Over Now?” features lyrics such as “You search in every model’s bed for something greater.” These references to an affair are also mentioned in “Style,” referencing that Styles has been “out and about with some other girl.”
These Swift and Styles Easter eggs have led to quite a frenzy among Taylor Swift and Harry Styles’ fans. The connection to other songs and real-life situations is never-ending within Taylor’s lyricism.
Final Thoughts
It’s quite obvious that 1989 features a variety of songs regarding Swift and Style’s relationship. This vault track, “Is It Over Now?” explores the reality of a fleeting relationship and the heartbreak that comes when it ends.
What do you think? Is this song explicitly about Harry Styles? Or do you have another theory at play?
