Can you believe it’s already been eight years since Taylor Swift released “Look What You Made Me Do”? Serving as the first single from “Reputation,” the song marked a significant shift in Taylor’s musical style, embracing a more pop and electronic sound with a darker tone compared to her previous work. Seven years later, “Look What You Made Me Do” remains one of the most iconic songs in Taylor’s discography. Upon its release, it topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of the largest jumps to the top spot in the chart’s history, skyrocketing from number 77 to number 1 in just one week.
As we celebrate the 7th anniversary of Taylor Swift’s iconic single “Look What You Made Me Do,” it’s impossible not to reflect on the massive impact the song had on the music world. The accompanying music video, which debuted at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, was just as groundbreaking, offering fans a visual feast packed with Easter eggs, subtle references, and symbolic imagery that have kept Swifties decoding and analyzing for years.
In this article, we’re diving deep into the most memorable Easter eggs from the “Look What You Made Me Do” video—did you catch them all?
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1. Nils Sjoberg’s Tombstone
In a graveyard scene, a tombstone bearing the name “Nils Sjoberg” is a reference to the pseudonym Swift used when co-writing Calvin Harris’s hit “This Is What You Came For.” This subtle nod hints at Swift’s behind-the-scenes influence on pop music.
2. Bathtub of Diamonds
Swift lounges in a bathtub filled with diamonds, symbolizing the controversies and accusations of greed and manipulation that have surrounded her. The scene also alludes to her legal battle against David Mueller, where she was awarded a symbolic $1.
3. Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry References
Swift throws shade at her past feuds in clever ways. The lyrics “I don’t like your perfect crime” are thought to reference the infamous phone call with Kanye West, while her Katy Perry-inspired look recalls their much-publicized spat.
4. The Vault Scene
Swift breaking into a vault symbolizes her reclaiming control over her narrative—an especially poignant image given her later battle over her master recordings with Scooter Braun.
5. Car Crash and Explosion
The yellow sports car crashing and exploding may reference her 2012 hit “Red,” where she sings about driving a Maserati down a dead-end street, symbolizing the end of a relationship or phase in her life.
6. Snake Imagery
Embracing the snake imagery used against her during her public fallout, Swift reclaims the symbol as one of rebirth and transformation.
7. Leopard on a Leash
This powerful image of Swift confidently walking a leopard suggests her mastery over her wild or misunderstood side.
8. The Number of Men
The number of men in certain scenes has been speculated to correspond with Swift’s high-profile relationships.
9. Costumes and Outfits
Throughout the video, Swift dons various outfits that reference different eras of her career, from her early days to the “I Heart TS” shirt reminiscent of her relationship with Tom Hiddleston.
10. The “Receipts” Line
In the video, Swift talks about getting “receipts” and editing later, which many believe is a meta-commentary on her ability to control the narrative of her public battles.
11. Multiple Taylors in the Finale
The video’s closing scene features several past versions of Swift, all bowing to the new, empowered Taylor, symbolizing her control over her evolution.
12. The Running Cat
A subtle nod to her beloved cats, especially Olivia.
13. Wrist Watches
These watches might symbolize Swift’s patience, biding her time until the truth came out in her various public battles.
14. Humpty Dumpty Reference
By connecting herself to the nursery rhyme, Swift reflects on her public image’s transformation after being “shattered” by media scrutiny.
15. Karma Imagery
The mention of “karma” in the vault scene hints at an unreleased project or Swift’s belief in justice or retribution in her career narrative.
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