SWIFT MANEUVERS

Is Taylor Swift’s Instagram Portending Doom or Just a New Single?

The Internet continues to ponder.

Update, August 22, 11:20 A.M.:

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Tuesday appears to be day two of Taylor Swift Instagram clues. On Monday, Swift was competing with the sun for the social-media spotlight during the solar eclipse, but she is clearly demanding the full attention of her fans and haters alike on Tuesday, with another video of a snake. She seems to be taking this serpent metaphor pretty far. Taylor, take it from those of us with severe fears of snakes: you can stop this any day now and just drop your album. That would be fine.

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On Friday, Taylor Swift essentially deleted herself from social media. Her accounts remained active, but her Instagram was void of photos, her Web site and Tumblr pages blank, and her Twitter page scrubbed—immediately sparking rumors that she is about to drop a new album. Over the weekend, everything remained blank, but on Monday morning, Swift’s Instagram page—and her Twitter—blinked back to life with a mysterious video of a snake. What could it mean? Is she releasing some kind of Potter-like Chamber of Secrets upon the world? Is she telling us she has more beef to settle with someone new? Or is this just a shot of some new Ridley Scott project?

Per Genius, the post indeed signals that Swift will soon release a new song called “Timeless.” “Lyrics for the song have yet to be released,” the Web site notes. So, for now, all fans have is this strange, slithering serpent. A snake, Taylor? What could it mean? Many think this is Swift’s clever response to anyone with whom she’s ever had—or will have had—enmity.

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On Friday, some speculated that Swift could be preparing a joint performance with Katy Perry at the MTV VMAs this coming Sunday. Some fans thought that, like Swift and Nicki Minaj did with their VMAs performance in 2015, Perry and Swift could be announcing their repaired friendship. Unless a snake is a symbol of friendship, Swift doesn’t seem to be announcing any kind of resolution.