Taylor Swift Releases Music Video for New Single 'Cardigan' — Watch Now

Eric Todisco
·5 min read

Taylor Swift is getting cozy with new song "Cardigan."

The Grammy-winning singer has released the music video — which she wrote and directed — for one of the 16 new songs on her eighth studio album, Folklore, which also dropped at midnight.

The whimsical video sees the singer find a portal to other places through her piano.

Swift's new music clip opens with her playing her piano in just a nightdress inside in a simple cabin warmed by a cozy fire.

The singer then discovers there is magic inside her piano and steps through into a forest where she plays atop a waterfall.

Taylor Swift/Youtube Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift/Youtube

Taylor Swift/Youtube

But there is more in store for Swift, 30, as she falls into another world via her piano's stool, the lush rainforest give way to a turbulent ocean.

As she struggles to keep head above water, Swift spots her piano and is able to pull herself back to safety.

Trying her luck one last time, Swift allows the piano to do its thing and she finds herself back in the same cabin.

Cold and wet, the star discovers one thing has changed — on the piano's stool is an old oversized worn cardigan, as if it belonged to a lover, which she wraps around herself and finally feels safe and home.

Taylor Swift/Youtube

Taylor Swift/Youtube

Taylor Swift/Youtube

The video ends with credits celebrating those who were involved in making it. The star also gives a shoutout to the onset medics and the coronavirus compliance personnel who help her and her crew stay safe as they filmed during a pandemic.

RELATED: Taylor Swift Announces Release of 'Surprise' New Album Folklore

After releasing her video and her new album, Swift posted on Twitter her inspiration behind the fairytale-like clip and record.

"In isolation my imagination has run wild and this album is the result. I’ve told these stories to the best of my ability with all the love, wonder, and whimsy they deserve. Now it’s up to you to pass them down," the star wrote.

On Thursday morning, Swift announced in separate Instagram posts that her new album and the music video for "Cardigan" would be released at midnight.

"The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling 😂," Swift said of creating the music video amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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The music video for “cardigan” will premiere tonight, which I wrote/directed. A million thank you’s to my brilliant, bad ass video team - cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, producer Jil Hardin, executive producer Rebecca Skinner, AD Joe ‘Oz’ Osbourne, editor Chancler Haynes, special effects wizards David Lebensfeld & Grant Miller, and set designer Ethan Tobman. The entire shoot was overseen by a medical inspector, everyone wore masks, stayed away from each other, and I even did my own hair, makeup, and styling 😂

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 23, 2020 at 5:08am PDT

The "Lover" songstress also shared with her followers that she wrote her entire new album while in isolation during the pandemic.

"Tonight at midnight I'll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I've poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into," she added. "I wrote and recorded this in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine."

Swift listed her fellow collaborators on Folklore as co-writers Aaron Dressner, Bon Iver, William Bowery, Jack Antonoff, engineers Laura Sisk and Jon Low, mixers Serban Ghenea & Jon Low and photographer Beth Garrabrant.

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Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise 🤗Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. I wrote and recorded this music in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine; @aarondessner (who has co-written or produced 11 of the 16 songs), @boniver (who co-wrote and was kind enough to sing on one with me), William Bowery (who co-wrote two with me) and @jackantonoff (who is basically musical family at this point). Engineered by Laura Sisk and Jon Low, mixed by Serban Ghenea & Jon Low. The album photos were shot by the amazing @bethgarrabrant. Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much ♥️

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 23, 2020 at 5:00am PDT

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folklore will have 16 songs on the standard edition, but the physical deluxe editions will include a bonus track called “the lakes.” Because this is my 8th studio album, I made 8 deluxe CD editions and 8 deluxe vinyl editions that are available for one week😄 Each deluxe edition has unique covers, photos, and artwork. Available exclusively at taylorswift.com

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Jul 23, 2020 at 5:03am PDT

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The new album comprises of 16 songs, including "Cardigan," on the standard edition, as well as a bonus track, "The Lakes."

Folklore is Swift's eight studio album, following Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless(2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), Reputation (2017) and Lover (2019).