Okay, readers. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I love Taylor Swift’s music. While she may be a problematic white female who calculates every move, weighing her self-interest over the greater good, the woman is an amazing lyricist. This is especially evident in her recent image reinvention, where she embodies the femme fatale in all its glory. She carried out this hyper-sexualized, no-cares-to-give attitude throughout her promotional material (see EXHIBIT A – “Look What You Made Me Do” video, EXHIBIT B – “Ready For It” video, and EXHIBIT C – “End Game” video).
EXHIBITS A, B, and C showcasing a more jaded, mature, and adulting Taylor Swift.
So imagine my surprise when we, the general public, received the atrocity known as the first “Delicate” video. What amounted to a pile of childishness and Swift attempting to sharpen her dancing skills was lost on not only me, but on much of her fanbase – the clip has managed to rack up 78 million views in two weeks, which for any other artist would be a feat within itself, but we are talking the Country-Pop princess Ms. Swift. I believe that she and her team realized this misstep almost immediately as they are planning to release a new version of the video tonight. And I don’t blame them – take a look at the weirdness that is Swift’s first attempt to promote “Delicate” below:
This “reimagining” by Swift and Joseph Khan is anything but satisfactory. And for a song that is one of the highlights on an impressive pop record, I know they are both hoping this second version will appease fans and casual listeners alike.
Now, this brings us to why I’m writing this. As soon as I saw the nightmare that is the first attempt release, I immediately started creating my own version of the music video. And… here it is RELATIVELY FORMATTED (so don’t be too critical of the product).
Now, I have NEVER published a screenplay or shown but a handful of people my screenwriting capabilities, but I feel compelled to share what I envisioned here with all of you, if only to help others understand what I see when I listen to this gorgeous, understated song.
EXT. OUTDOOR ROOFTOP BAR
TAYLOR SWIFT
This ain’t for the best
My reputation’s never been worse, so
You must like me for me (me for me)
Mood Lighting and Couples canoodling. GUY 1, a trimmed, smart-looking guy with a case of the Mondays, sits at the Bar. BARTENDER sets an OLD FASHIONED in front of G1. G1 turns to the entrance of the Rooftop to see GUY 2, the goofy guy with Prince Charming looks who doesn’t realize it, walk in. G1’s gaze follows G2 as he settles in at the bar caddy-corner to G1.
TAYLOR SWIFT
We can’t make
Any promises now, can we, babe?
But you can make me a drink
G1 perks up. G2 looks over, and G1 catches his eye. G2 does a subtle double take and smiles. G1 smiles back, signals to the Bartender to pour G2 a drink. G2 raises his GLASS to signal a cheers G1, takes a sip, and gets up from his seat. G2 starts toward G1, and as he reaches G1…
PAN UP TO A SKY FULL OF STARS.
CUT TO:
EXT. NARROW WEST VILLAGE STREET
PAN DOWN TO FACE THE MIDDLE OF A WEST VILLAGE STREET.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Dive bar on the East Side, where you at?
Phone lights up my nightstand in the black
Come here, you can meet me in the back
ESTABLISHING SHOT: SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, and FEW RANDOM PARKED CARS line the street.
STREET LIGHTS illuminate more than just the cozy West Village Street. G1 and G2 stroll down the middle of this now-dead road. G1 and G2 saunter down the street holding hands.
CLOSE UP on G1 and G2 holding hands.
PAN OUT TO CAPTURE THEM IN THE STREET.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Dark jeans and your Nikes, look at you
Oh damn, never seen that color blue
Just think of the fun things we could do
Both walk G1 lets go of G2’s hand, turns around and skip-hops backward while talking animatedly to G2. G2 strolls along listening intently and beaming.
TAYLOR SWIFT
‘Cause I like you
G2 grabs G1’s hand and pulls G1 in for an embrace. A soft kiss.
TAYLOR SWIFT
This ain’t for the best
My reputation’s never been worse, so
You must like me for me
G2 pecks G1 on the lips, then the cheek, and then back to his lips. As things escalate, G2 pushes G1 into a nearby BRICK WALL. G2 kisses G1 passionately, grabbing both sides of the face.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Yeah, I want you
G1 grinds his hips into G2 while grabbing the back of G2’s neck.
TAYLOR SWIFT
We can’t make
Any promises now, can we, babe?
But you can make me a drink
Both grind into each other and make out passionately.
CLOSE UP as G1 moves to G2’s neck.
G1 kisses G2’s neck, kisses up to G2’s chin, and then stops at G2’s lips.
WIPE TO THE LEFT.
CUT TO:
EXT. WEST VILLAGE INDIAN RESTAURANT
Okay, it’s a creative decision to make the restaurant Indian because I would like my cuisine to be considered sexy. So yea. Merp.
PAN THROUGH THE GLASS WINDOW INTO
INT. WEST VILLAGE INDIAN RESTAURANT
Circular tables litter the floor of the quaint and intimate Indian Restaurant.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it chill that you’re in my head?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate
(Delicate)
White tablecloths, gorgeous plating, and OTHER PATRONS in deep conversation. G1 and G2 in the middle of it all. Dishes featuring rich and bright Chicken Curry, Saag Paneer, and Rogan Josh, a creamy Raita, Naans, Rice, two plates with these foods, and two wine glasses all set around a singular long, red CANDLE.
CLOSE UP as G1 grabs his wine glass, swirling the Red within and brings it closer to his lips.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it too soon to do this yet?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate
…Isn’t it, isn’t it?
G1 leans to the side with his wine glass in-hand, taking in G2 as he talks animatedly while tearing his naan and scooping some of the curry and raita. G2 brings the naan to his mouth, chews, swallows, and then grabs his wine glass and sips. G1 looks on and smiles dopily while resting his head in one hand and holding his wine glass in the other.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Isn’t it? Isn’t It?
Isn’t it? Isn’t it?
Isn’t it?
Isn’t it, delicate?
G1 taps the side of his head to the beat. G2 grins and pushes his chair out. G2 sticks his hand out. G1 takes it and in one swoop, pushes his chair out. G2 jumps up and dashes away with G1 in tow.
WIPE TO THE RIGHT.
CUT TO:
INT. NIGHT CLUB LOUNGE
TAYLOR SWIFT
Third floor on the West Side, me and you
Handsome, your mansion with a view
ESTABLISHING SHOT of the Club Lounge. PATRONS dancing together.
SLOW ZOOM TO BAR WHERE…
G1 and G2 are dancing intimately. G2 holds G1’s wrist then takes both of G1’s hands in his, intertwining their fingers. Both G1 and G2 are swaying to the music.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Do the girls back home touch you like I do?
G2’s fingers trace down G1’s arms.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Long night, with your hands up in my hair
Echoes of your footsteps on the stairs
Stay here, honey, I don’t wanna share
‘Cause I like you
G1 sways and turns to face away from G2: G2’s crotch is on G1’s butt. Both sway to the beat while G2 holds G1 close in an embrace.
TAYLOR SWIFT
This ain’t for the best
My reputation’s never been worse, so
You must like me for me
Both break into more intricate choreography. Both body-roll and move to opposite sides while still grinding on each other. G1 pushes his back further into G2 while winding his hips to the beat.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Yeah, I want you
G2 takes G1’s hands and spins him to the beat to face G2.
TAYLOR SWIFT
We can’t make
Any promises now, can we, babe?
But you can make me a drink
G1 leads G2 to the Dance Floor. Both continue to sway in rhythm. G2 spins G1 out and back in, ending with a dip.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it chill that you’re in my head?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate
(Delicate)
CLOSE UP OF G2 HOLDING G1 IN THE DIP POSITION.
G2’s chest visibly rising as he looks G1 up and down in his arms. G2 smiles incredulously at G1, taking all of G1 in with his eyes.
SLOW PAN OUT TO SHOW ALL OTHERS ARE GONE – JUST G1 AND G2 ON-SCREEN.
G1 walks his fingers up G2’s arms. G1 slowly begins to rise from his dipped position to reach standing height, at which point his right hand will be on G2’s shoulder.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it too soon to do this yet?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate
…Isn’t it, isn’t it?
G2 guides G1 while taking deliberate steps to the beat in the beginnings of a salsa. Both G1 and G2’s fingers are intertwined with their hands toward the ground. Both slowly pick up their hands while intertwined until they reach full extension above and then…
TAYLOR SWIFT
Isn’t it? Isn’t It?
Isn’t it? Isn’t it?
Isn’t it?
Isn’t it, delicate?
Explosive moves. G2 guides both of them in a series of twirls and waltzing moves around the Dance Floor.
SPIN WIPE.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY
TAYLOR SWIFT
Sometimes I wonder when you sleep
Are you ever dreaming of me?
Sometimes when I look into your eyes
G1 leans against the Entrance Door and turns Doorknob with his back while G2 holds G1’s arms and kisses G1’s face and lips. G1 leans on the Door and pushes it open, and G2 continues to kiss G1 while both walk into the apt.
INT. APARTMENT FOYER
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the New York Skyline. The Apartment, with its masculine but homey decor, appears welcoming and lived-in.
TAYLOR SWIFT
I pretend you’re mine, all the damn time
G1 breaks the kiss, walks toward the Bedroom Door with G2 in tow, opens it, turns around, and faces G2.
TAYLOR SWIFT
‘Cause I like you
G2 smiles mischievously, hugs G1, and, not breaking his embrace, carries G1 through the Bedroom Doorway and
INT. APARTMENT BEDROOM
throws G1 on the bed.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it chill that you’re in my head?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate (delicate)
Yeah, I want you
G1 sits upon his elbows while kicking off his shoes. G2 dances while taking his shirt off. More goofy than sexual. G1 chuckles. G2 slowly climbs into bed with G1, lying next to G1 and staring longingly into his eyes.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that
Is it too soon to do this yet?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate (delicate)
‘Cause I like you
G2 touches his forehead to G1’s, his nose to G1’s, and then wraps his arms around G1. Intimacy galore.
INT. APARTMENT BATHROOM SHOWER
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it chill that you’re in my head?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate (delicate)
Yeah, I want you
Shower time. A stream of water trickles into a waterfall from the shower head.
CLOSE UP on the water falling onto G1’s head.
G1 turns around, and G2 enters the shower, standing close to G1 under the falling water. Both beaming at each other and laughing as their hair and faces become wet.
CUT TO:
INT. WEST VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP
G1 sits next to the window facing outside, with a Latte, an open journal, and his smartphone nearby. Notes are scrawled all over the margins of the page.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Is it cool that I said all that
Is it too soon to do this yet?
‘Cause I know that it’s delicate
Delicate
G1 jots down a note and looks up to see G2 walking by wearing dark jeans, Nikes, and a leather jacket with the words “DELICATE – HANDLE WITH CARE” embroidered big on the back. G2 glances over at G1 and G1 smiles. G2 does a double take, smiles back, and walks out of the frame.
G1 grabs his smartphone, opens up an app called HAPPN (or whoever wants to do some product placement in a Taylor Swift video), and sees G2’s profile pop up. He pushes “LIKE” on the profile and a graphic saying “You have a New Connection” appears on-screen.