Cruel Summer (Teddy Swims) cover
"Cruel Summer" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her seventh studio album, Lover (2019). Swift and Jack Antonoff produced the song, and they wrote it with St. Vincent. "Cruel Summer" is a synth-pop, industrial pop, and electropop song composed of synths, wobbling beats, and vocoder-manipulated vocals. The lyrics are about an intense romance during a painful summer.
When it was first released as an album track on Lover, music critics praised "Cruel Summer" for its melodic composition and catchy sound, specifically highlighting the hook and bridge. Many deemed it a highlight on Lover and one of Swift's best songs. "Cruel Summer" debuted in the top 30 of various singles charts in 2019 and became a fan favorite over time, prompting fans and publications to question why Swift did not release the track as a single. After being included in the set list of Swift's sixth concert tour, the Eras Tour, in 2023, "Cruel Summer" became viral on social media, leading Republic Records to release it as a single on June 13, 2023.
Taylor Swift described her seventh studio album, Lover, as a "love letter to love" itself with all the feelings evoked by it. The album was released on August 23, 2019, via Republic Records. Lover consists of 18 tracks, and "Cruel Summer" is track number two. According to Swift, the track is about an uncertain summer romance with elements of pain and desperation in it. The relationship in question is "where you're yearning for something that you don't quite have yet, it's just right there, and you just can't reach it".
American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo performed the song for MTV's Alone Together Jam Session in 2020, which Swift subsequently praised.
Australian singer G Flip covered the song for Triple J's Like a Version in January 2024.
American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims covered the song for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge segment in January 2024.
#taylorswift #teddyswims #taylorswiftcover