Meaning of “Nothing New (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift

Believe it or not, there was a time when Taylor Swift was concerned about her career as a professional musician. That is not to say she ever went through any major slump in terms of record sales. In fact with the authoring of this song dating back to 2012, that was the era in which her music was at its commercial peak. 

But she was wise enough to know that as a female performer who got started in the game as a teenager (as the overwhelming majority of them do), the industry tends to be increasingly less favorable as one ages. And this is not a phenomenon that is solely relegated to her profession but one that is somewhat general throughout society, in a manner of speaking.

Such is the type of notion that we are met with from the beginning of “Nothing New”. In the first verse, Swift points out the hypocrisy between women being encouraged to “go out and have your fun” when they’re young but later on being judged by those selfsame actions. 

She proceeds to allude to the fairer sex being more subject to criticism in general, as if it is taboo for them to have experience in life, so to speak.

The Chorus “Nothing New”

The chorus is a lot more personal. Taylor admits that upon becoming boozed, she had the tendency, back then at the age of 22, to worry that her success was a passing fad, that she was just a “novelty” in the eyes of the public. 

Or relayed from a different angle with the title of the song in mind, the songstress understood that at the age of 22 she has “nothing new” to offer, in that she can’t transform into a different, or let’s more specifically say younger woman. So what you see and have seen is what you get, in a manner of speaking.

“I’ve had too much to drink tonight
And I know it’s sad, but this is what I think about
And I wake up in the middle of the night
It’s like I can feel time moving
How can a person know everythin’ at eighteen
But nothin’ at twenty-two?
And will you still want me
When I’m nothing new?”

Phoebe Bridgers steps in

The second verse, as rendered by Phoebe Bridgers, also seems to speak more directly to being a female celebrity. This passage reads a bit more complicated. However, what it apparently boils down to, when also taking the pre-chorus that follows into consideration, is a young female artist being treated more as a novelty not by fans but the industry itself. 

So accordingly yes, they do experience some related anxiety. This anxiety has to do with the fear of eventually being phased out for another talented lady who is younger and perkier. And that is the same type of idea that both vocalists proceed to harp on in the bridge, meeting the next young thing later down the line, a girl who actually grew up as one of their fans but has now, based on industry standards, come to take their place. 

And on the surface, when such transpires, everything is all gravy. But behind closed doors, Taylor and Phoebe will rather ‘cry themselves to sleep’.

The Long and Short of “Nothing New”

So it’s as if what this song is implying is that as a female singer, your time at the top is limited by default. 

And to some degree that’s true, as we semi-regularly come across popular musicians, i.e. younger ladies who appear as if they achieved their standing due more to sex appeal than actual talent. 

That isn’t really anything new as far as the music industry is concerned. But Taylor Swift was definitely able to buck that trend, since as it currently stands, over a decade after she wrote “Nothing New”, it doesn’t appear as if anyone, male or female, is going to replace her at the top anytime soon. 

And to note Phoebe Bridgers didn’t really become industry active until around her early 20s. However, she is also doing quite well for herself into the 2020s.

Chart Success

When was “Nothing New (Taylor’s Version)” released?

“Nothing New” was released on 12th November, 2021. It was the 23rd track in her 30-tracked re-released album, “Red (Taylor’s Version).

This track featured Phoebe Bridgers

Bridgers is an American singer-songwriter. She has had four Grammy Award nominations, including “Best New Artist” in 2021.

She has collaborated with the likes of SZA, Kid Cudi, and The National.

Writing credits for “Nothing New (Taylor’s Version)”

Swift is the sole credited songwriter for this track.