It was definitely in the cards by Lover, if not already in the works. She reveals as much in this interview:I also wonder if, by Lover, they knew the plan to properly re-record/ re-issue the Taylors Versions with full releases. I still can't fathom any reason Cruel Summer wasn't a single, but "saving" it for that makes a LOT of sense.
I think she already owns everything on Lover. Cruel Summer may have missed its moment in the sun
It does feel strange "The Man" was released and flopped in 2020
Yeah I don’t think it underperforming was unexpected. She hasn’t really had an enduring pop radio hit since “Delicate” and maybe “You Need to Calm Down”. She released the doc at the same time, and did give it a splashy video, so I don’t think it was a matter of it being given unfair treatment. I just meant it felt v distant to the Taylor we know now.wasn't it the case that it wasn't "properly" released? as in, ZERO promo effort bar the video. No performances, no radio airplay; I saw the video played a couple of times but it didn't have the same push as Lover did though a pretty standard campaign for a 4th single.
What I’m growing to love about Taylor is that she, more than other pop stars, is into the kind of promo and releases that are mostly talked about on gay message boardsMaybe it’s a fake rumor and she’ll release a brand new album at midnight or something