Like most Swifties, Jimmy Fallon doesn’t mess around when it comes to Detective Taylor Swift. The 32-year-old pop star is known for leaving a trail of Easter egg clues leading up to each of her new album announcements, and on the Thursday, May 12, episode of The show tonightthe late-night host was determined to dissect them all.
It’s been six months since Swift gave up Red (Taylor’s version), the second of her longest-running albums that she re-recorded and re-released in a bid to reclaim her masters, and fans everywhere are increasingly eager for her to reveal which album is next. Many of them have concluded that one of his latest music videos – as well as some interesting activity on his website – involves a Taylor version of either from 2014 1989 or 2010s Speak Now is on the way, a theory Fallon vehemently defended during his final opening monologue.
“The clues are everywhere, Tariq,” he told a skeptical-looking Tariq Trotter, one of the Roots band members.
Fallon then immersed himself in his theories, stumbling over his words with the candor of a mad scientist explaining his life’s work. “There’s a wedding cake, and on the cake are the numbers 13 and 26,” he began, quoting the cake in Swift’s I bet you think of me video. “Follow?”
“Yeah, no,” Trotter replied.
“Thirteen is Taylor’s favorite number,” Fallon explained. “And this Friday, May 13, is 26 weeks after the release date of Red (Taylor’s version).”
He then moved on to another piece of evidence — the clues apparently strewn across the “All Too Well” singer’s online store, which recently unveiled a line of products called “The Old Taylor Collection.” The collection includes two-themed retro clothing pieces 1989 and Speak Nowand in addition, a signed copy of Fearless (Taylor version) is on sale for $19.89.
“You get it? $19.89?” Fallon said to a puzzled Trotter. “1989! But also Red (Taylor’s version) went on sale on his store for $20 and 10 cents, in purple text! Do you even listen? the original Speak Now was released in 2010, on the cover of this album, she wears a purple dress!
“It couldn’t be more obvious,” the comedian concluded, prompting Trotter to remind him, “You know you’re 47, right?”
“Yeah but I’m 47, Jimmy’s Version,” he replied, earning cheers from his audience. “Yes, I said it!”
Watch Jimmy Fallon put on his Detective Swiftie hat to deduce which Taylor’s Version album might be next below: