Taylor Swift dances like nobody's watching in 'Delicate' video

Swift revealed the new visuals via a video message at the iHeart Video awards

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Monday 12 March 2018 08:23 GMT
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On reputation, Taylor Swift produced some of her most honest and direct songwriting to date.

Her song "Delicate" was one of the best examples of that; she wonders - fears, even - what her new crush might already think about her given her "reputation" in the public eye, singing on the intro: "This 'aint for the best/My reputation's never been worse so/you must like me for me."

The pop star has remained largely out of the public eye for the past year, wiping her social media accounts and using them mostly for album promotion, and focusing on the record itself plus her upcoming world tour which begins on 8 May in Arizona, US before she heads over to the UK and Ireland.

She revealed the video for "Delicate" at the iHeart Radio Music Awards on Sunday 11 March - where she won the Female Artist of the Year award - via a pre-taped video message where she explained she was busy rehearsing, "but in my absence and to show my gratitude, I really wanted to show you my brand-new video for my new single, 'Delicate'."

The fourth single from reputation directly addresses how Swift has been perceived in the public eye over the past year, with celebrity feuds, much-discussed relationships and frustration from the media and the public with her lack of interest or desire to speak out about current events.

She explained to fans at a private album listening party last year how 'Delicate' explores: "What happens when you meet somebody that you really want in your life and then you start worrying about what they've heard before they met you?"

The video for "Delicate" was filmed by Swift's longtime collaborator Joseph Kahn over two nights in downtown LA, featuring landmarks including the Los Angeles Theatre and the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

Swift is seen looking vacant on the red carpet, snapping to attention as hordes of reporters shove microphones at her. A mysterious figure slips a piece of paper into her hands.

In a smart hotel lobby, people turn and stare as she walks by surrounded by four bodyguards. As she tries to take a photo with fans, a bellhop tries to grab her and security drag him away. Swift rolls her eyes and continues to walk with her security team, testing how they mimic her every move.

In a dressing room she makes silly faces in the mirror before being interrupted by a group of women: turning back to the mirror she can't see her reflection anymore.

Delighted, she breaks out into a series of dance moves that recall Maddie Ziegler's work for Sia, moving from the hotel into the LA subway and onto rain-drenched streets.

Soaked but happy, she arrives at the dive bar she references in the song. People turn to look as she comes in, and she realises she is no longer invisible - but she smiles as she seems to recognise someone there.

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