THE RUNDOWN:
- Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl, comes out on October 3, 2025
- There are 12 tracks on the record
- The album cover art is double-sided sided and several limited-edition records and CDs have been released alongside it.
Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Tuesday, the 12th, flashing some blurred-out vinyl in the trailer for the podcast (which airs this morning) and telling fans, “So, I need to show you something.” No sooner had we digested the news than the countdown on her official website was on again. We now have an album cover, a release date, and plenty of limited-edition merch, so let’s get into it.
The Life Of A Showgirl Release Date
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl will be released on October 3.
The Symbolism Of Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl Cover
The cover comes after days of meticulously crafted clues that have sent Swifties into sleuthing overdrive. On August 12 2025, Taylor Nation (the Instagram account run by Swift’s marketing team) dropped a 12‑image Instagram carousel featuring the singer in various orange looks, captioned: “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’”.
Almost immediately, the podcast teased a “VERY special guest,” showing a silhouetted figure against a glittery orange backdrop, while simultaneously, Swift’s website went live with a shimmering orange countdown.
The cover that’s been revealed is double-sided, featuring Swift in a seemingly drowning in a bathtub makeup smudged and wearing a glittering diamante body suit on one side, and the pop star polished and in full showgirl regalia (complete with plumed headdress) on the other. We don’t need to have topped high school English to divine that the life of a showgirl may focus on the dual nature of fame following Swift’s triumphant Eras tour. On one side, she’s performing at the top of her game, on the other, she’s messy and vulnerable, and if her choice of cover image is anything to go by, it’s that side that will be setting the tone for the album.
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What Are The Limited Edition Life Of A Showgirl Album Releases?
Like Sabrina Carpenter, Swift will be releasing several limited edition vinyl versions of the album for fans via her website. Each feature a shimmering orange vinyl, a double gatefold jacket with a unique front and back cover, a full size gatefold photograph of Taylor, a double sided foldout panel which includes a poem written by Taylor on one side and a photo strip with four unique images on the other and collectable album sleeves which include never before seen album photos and album lyrics.
There are also four CD colourways to choose from and, interestingly, each has its own unique fragrance.
The Life Of A Showgirl Limited Edition Jewellery Box CDs
Swift, who wore a Cartier Panthere pendant on the podcast to announce the album, loves her jewellery, so it’s no surprise that her limited edition CD releases have a “jewellery box” theme. Each shade comes with:
- Orange: Orange glitter jewellery box with metallic foil embossed TS Logo on top and gold tone keychain/bag charm with “Taylor Swift: Engraved and violet eye charm in black, white and violet cubic zirconia crystals.
- Red: Red glitter jewellery box with a metallic foil embossed TS Logo on top. Gold tone keychain/bag charm and red glitter “wood” heart charm with gold tone arrow and TS metallic logo printed on the front.
- Violet: Violet glitter jewellery box with metallic foil embossed TS logo on top. Gold-plated necklace featuring a Valentine’s envelope locket with an orange CZ crystal heart on the front and the TS logo engraved on the back. Includes a gold-plated letter with the “Actually Romantic” song title engraved on the front. The letter fits inside the envelope lock and is attached by a small chain.
- Silver: Silver glitter jewellery box with a metallic foil embossed TS logo on top. Silver tone bracelet with lightning bolt designs, clear CZ crystals, “Opalite” Star Charm and Taylor Swift charm. 6.5′ in length with 2′ extender.
The Life Of A Showgirl Tracklist
What’s on the tracklist? The song titles speak to some big themes, and one of the biggest reveals is that Sabrina Carpenter will be featuring on the album.
- The Fate of Ophelia
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Opalite
- Father Figure
- Eldest Daughter
- Ruin The Friendship
- Actually Romantic
- Wi$h List
- Wood
- Cancelled
- Honey
- The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter).
