"Blank Space" is the second song from her fifth studio album, 1989, written by herself, Max Martin and Shellback. It was released as a second single of the album following "Shake It Off" on November 10, 2014. The music video was released one day after the single release. Swift has performed this song on several occasions, including the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the American Music Awards.
Taylor and American Express created a free app that shows an interactive 360° world of the music video and also you can explore various rooms in the house filled with objects you have to find out. She talked about it in on ABC News.[1]
The music video won 2 MTV Video Music Awards (Best Pop Video and Best Female Video) on August 30, 2015.
Hidden message
Hidden message: There once was a girl known by everyone and no one.
This message very well ties into the theme of this song. It shows that Taylor, who we assume is the girl in the hidden message story, and it shows how she feels misunderstood, but everyone is aware of the image of who she is. Swift's sense of humor is on display throughout this song, sending up her public image as a serial dater. Note to tabloids: Swift is one step ahead of you, generating and mocking her own headlines. "Got a long line of ex-lovers/ they'll tell you I'm insane/ but I've got a blank space, baby/ and I'll write your name." The liner message certainly seems to once again point to a note Swift has repeatedly mentioned in the press: Just because you know part of the story doesn't mean you know the whole thing.
Lyrics
Nice to meet you, where you been?
I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin
Saw you there and I thought
Oh my God, look at that face
You look like my next mistake
Love's a game, wanna play?
New money, suit and tie
I can read you like a magazine
Ain't it funny, rumors fly
And I know you heard about me
So hey, let's be friends
I'm dying to see how this one ends
Grab your passport and my hand
I can make the bad guys good for a weekend
So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game
'Cause we're young and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far
It'll leave you breathless
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name
Cherry lips, crystal skies
I could show you incredible things
Stolen kisses, pretty lies
You're the King, baby, I'm your Queen
Find out what you want
Be that girl for a month
Wait, the worst is yet to come, oh no
Screaming, crying, perfect storms
I can make all the tables turn
Rose garden filled with thorns
Keep you second guessing like
"Oh my God, who is she?"
I get drunk on jealousy
But you'll come back each time you leave
'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream
So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game
'Cause we're young and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far
It'll leave you breathless
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name
Boys only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya
Boys only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya
So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game
'Cause we're young and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far
It'll leave you breathless
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name
Music video
Fun facts:
- The text that Sean is seen sending in the video is "can't wait to see you tonight" to a girl named "she".
- On the set of Blank Space, Taylor accidentally scratched the front of the car and had to pay $3,200 to get it repainted.
Awards and nominations
"Blank Space" has received 7 awards from 17 nominations.
| 2015 | American Music Awards | Song of the Year | Won |
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Streaming Song (Video) | Nominated | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Female Video | Won | |
| Best Pop Video | Won | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Best Female Video | Nominated | |
| MTV Millenial Awards | International Hit of the Year | Nominated | |
| Much Music Video Awards | International Video of the Year – Artist | Nominated | |
| Premios Juventud | Favorite Hit | Won | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Party Song | Nominated | |
| YinYueTai V Chart Awards | Best Music Video of the Year | Won | |
| 2016 | APRA Awards (Australia) | International Work of the Year | Nominated |
| BMI Pop Awards | Award-Winning Songs | Won | |
| Publisher of the Year | Won | ||
| Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best Pop Solo Performance | Nominated | ||
| iHeartRadio Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated |
Cover versions
- Pop singer Jax sang this song on the March 12, 2015 episode of American Idol.
- Pop/soul singer Amy Vachel did a folky version of this song on the November 23, 2015 episode of The Voice. It peaked at number 4 on iTunes.