Taylor Swift is continuing her The Life of a Showgirl reign with the imminent release of her “Opalite” music video, but it won’t land where you might expect.
The track featured on Swift’s latest album, which she dropped last year, and will mark the second song from that record to get the music video treatment after “The Fate of Ophelia”.
“Opalite” is the second single lifted from The Life of a Showgirl. (Images: Instagram)
“Opalite” is a loved-up song about Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce, so the reaction when she announced the accompanying video on her website was understandably loud.
But enough with the small talk, here’s everything we know about the music video drop for Taylor Swift’s “Opalite”, from its exact release time in Australia to its non-traditional format.
When will Taylor Swift’s “Opalite” music video be released?
Swift revealed in a countdown on her official website that the music video for “Opalite” will land in Australia at 12am on Saturday, February 7 — but there’s a catch.
It will first arrive exclusively on Apple Music and Spotify Premium in video format at that time, with the broader release coming later.
This means the video will be viewable within the Apple Music and Spotify apps. For the former, “Opalite” will appear in the Browse tab under the Music Videos section, while Spotify users can watch it by clicking the ‘Switch to video’ button when playing “Opalite”.
That stare! (Image: Instagram)
When will Taylor Swift’s “Opalite” music video be available on YouTube?
All those not on Apple Music or Spotify, fret not: “Opalite” will enjoy a broader release on YouTube in Australia on Monday, February 9 at 12am.
That means you can stay up till midnight waiting for it to flood your YouTube algorithm, if you’re that way inclined. Or you can rock up to work on Monday morning having already learned the choreography.
Swift’s LOAS feather budget does not exist. (Image: Instagram)
What are the Easter Eggs in “Opalite”?
This is a natural question, since the only one who delivers more Easter Eggs than Swift is the literal Easter Bunny.
We won’t know for sure if Swift hid any tidbits in the video — a practice she’s turned into an art form — until it drops, so check back here for updates!
We’ve only gotten an “Opalite” lyric video so far. (Image: YouTube)
Why is Taylor Swift delaying the YouTube release of “Opalite”?
Swift herself hasn’t revealed why she opted to drop “Opalite” on music streaming apps before a broader YouTube release, but fans have theories.
Some reckon the release model is a bit of streaming and chart-boosting wizardry, since Billboard announced last year that YouTube views would no longer contribute to chart rankings.
The theory holds weight, since it allows Swift — who is certainly no stranger to chart domination — to centralise the views of the track on platforms that contribute to streams and chart presence.
But again, we don’t know for sure why “Opalite” is coming later on YouTube, since Swift simply debuted the music video premiere countdown without explanation.
Others pointed to the YouTube release coinciding with Super Bowl Sunday in the US, suggesting Swift is having her own halftime show moment. But for many Swifties, the release of the “Opalite” music video is their Super Bowl, regardless of whether the NFL game is happening or not.
Me when I tease the girls with an imminent drop. (Image: Instagram)
The music video will add to the unending buzz generated by The Life of a Showgirl, which grabbed headlines for a supposed diss track against Charli xcx, copped backlash from some diehard Swifties, and was the subject of a bot smear campaign.
“Opalite” is sure to whip up just as much of a frenzy. Strap in!
Lead images: YouTube and taylorswift.com