BY: Alexis Eichelberger

Taylor Swift’s newly released music video for her latest single “ME!” crushed Vevo’s record for the most-viewed video in 24 hours. The star has proven time and again that, despite scrutiny and doubt, she’s still a hit-making machine with one of music’s most dedicated following.

Her image, like her sound, has evolved over time. As she enters the era of her seventh studio album, here’s an analysis of Swift’s music videos and how they’ve changed at each milestone.

“ME!” (feat. Brendon Urie)

“ME!” is Swift’s first lead single that’s also a collab, and though no one likely expected a duet with the Panic! at the Disco frontman, their voices and personas mesh perfectly. The exuberant video tells a story of self-love through pastels and florals. The opening frame of a snake bursting into butterflies certainly signifies that we’ve moved past the Reputation era of dark moodiness back into one of light, glittery fun.

“Look What You Made Me Do”

It seems hard to believe just a year and a half ago, we were given “Look What You Made Me Do” to announce Swift’s return from her longtime hiatus from the public eye. It’s darker and unapologetic like we’ve never seen her before. It’s simultaneously self-aware and embracing of all the images that have been projected onto her, good and bad. Killer costuming, choreography and snake imagery make it Swift’s most visually powerful single yet.

“Blank Space”

Before there was Reputation, there was “Blank Space.” The single from 1989 was the first time Swift subtly clapped back at her haters, and the video pairs well with the lyrics to create the crazy girlfriend caricature she’s been made out to be. Messy makeup and broken car windows make Swift’s wild affair with her very hot video co-star Sean O’Pry a hilarious good time.

“I Knew You Were Trouble”

Swift breaks out of her comfort zone with the nearly six minutes-long video for “I Knew You Were Trouble.” It begins with a montage of wild scenes with her mysterious man and a spoken-word ode to lost love. She’s clad in leather and denim, with her pink-dyed hair giving her a punk-rocker look previously unseen. It’s a new, dangerous story of heartbreak, even for the established love song expert.

“Ours”
The single “Ours” captures all the sweetness of Swift’s Speak Now era, both in song and video. It lacks the glamour and over-the-top extravagance seen in her later videos. Rather, it succeeds because it shows the romance in the ordinary, and how hints of affection can permeate even the dingiest office workspace to make it a little happier.

“Love Story”
Perhaps Swift’s most iconic music video, “Love Story” kicked off the phenomenal era of the Fearless album. Set in a fairytale complete with ball gowns, horses and a castle, Swift steals kisses with her handsome prince until she reaches her happily ever after.

“Our Song”
Released almost 10 years ago, “Our Song” was one of Swift’s first singles that quickly rocketed her to fame. The cute video is fun and stereotypically girly, portraying the feeling of young love with late night phone conversations and picking flower petals. As much as Swift has evolved through the last decade, her ability to capture what emotional butterflies feels like has stood the test of time.