Is country music ready for the return of Taylor Swift?
Fresh off her “Song of the Year” win at the 2017 CMA Awards for writing Little Big Town‘s hit single “Better Man,” the former country singer is making her return to the genre where she began her iconic music career. The 10-time-Grammy-winning artist’s reputation closer, “New Year’s Day,” has been serviced to country music radio.
“New Year’s Day” is the final song off Swift’s 15-track album reputation, released Nov. 10, the album marking the former country singer’s return to music after a three-year long hiatus, the song inspired by her relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn.
“I was thinking about how everybody talks and thinks about who you kiss at midnight,” Swift said during a Secret Session according to iHeart Radio regarding the romantic track. “And I think that is very romantic. But I think there’s something even more romantic about who’s gonna deal with you on New Year’s Day. Who’s willing to give you Advil and clean up the house? I think that states more of a permanence.”
While it’s unclear how “New Years Day” will be received by country music fans, the romantic ballad has officially impacted country radio stations across the nation according to Whiskey Riff.
Shortly following the release of reputation, Swift stopped by The Tonight Show to deliver a tribute-performance to Jimmy Fallon’s late mother upon his return, the talk show host bursting into tears during her stunning ballad.
You can watch her tribute performance of “New Year’s Day” below.