Feel the spotlight’s sharp turn with “CANCELLED!,” the explosive track 10 on Taylor Swift‘s twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl, out now through Republic Records. Released today, October 3, 2025, this 12-song project draws straight from Swift’s whirlwind as a global entertainer, flipping the introspective ache of The Tortured Poets Department into vibrant pop anthems full of infectious hooks and crisp storytelling. Co-produced with Max Martin and Shellback for the first time since Reputation, it channels the effervescent highs of her Eras Tour life, blending 1989’s polish, Red’s heart, and rep’s edge into something fresh and unapologetic.
As a standout in the tracklist, “CANCELLED!” dives into the sharp and raw emotions surrounding public scrutiny, cancel culture, and the toughness required to survive in the spotlight. Known for her insightful, narrative songwriting, Taylor Swift blends vulnerability with defiance in this track, exploring themes of betrayal, resilience, and loyalty among friends amid societal judgment.
The lyrics convey a story of navigating a hostile environment where fame and public opinion can turn quickly, often based on misunderstandings or amplified mistakes. Taylor’s vivid imagery of “masked crusaders” and “poison thorny flowers” paints a dark but empowering picture of standing strong against critics and those who disappear when times get tough. The chorus celebrates friendships forged in adversity—those who remain loyal despite scandals and setbacks, marked not by perfection but by shared scars and survival.
In “CANCELLED!,” Taylor also candidly addresses the pain of being unfairly judged and the complicated dance of managing reputation in a volatile world. Yet, there’s humor and defiance woven throughout, making it a bold anthem for anyone who’s faced backlash but refuses to be broken. This track fits seamlessly into The Life of a Showgirl’s narrative, emphasizing the duality of glamour and grit in the life of a public figure. Dive into the CANCELLED! lyrics below and unpack its fierce comeback. Don’t miss other The Life of a Showgirl tracks like The Fate of Ophelia for more of Swift’s dazzling pop fire.
| Lead Vocals | Taylor Swift |
| Songwriter | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Music Producer | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Composer | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Mastering Engineer | Randy Merrill & Ryan Smith |
| Mixing Engineer | Șerban Ghenea |
| Produced At | MXM Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) & Shellback Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) |
| Distributor | Universal Music Group |
| Label | Republic Records |
| Release Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Taylor Swift |
| Recorded At | Shellback Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) |
Lyrics of CANCELLED! by Taylor Swift
[Verse 1]
You Thought That It Would Be Okay, At First
The Situation Could Be Saved, Of Course
But They’d Already Picked Out Your Grave And Hearse
Beware The Wrath Of Masked Crusaders
[Pre-Chorus]
Did You Girl-boss Too Close To The Sun?
Did They Catch You Having Far Too Much Fun?
Come With Me, When They See Us, They’ll Run
Something Wicked This Way Comes
[Chorus]
Good Thing I Like My Friends Cancelled
I Like ’em Cloaked In Gucci And In Scandal
Like My Whiskey Sour
And Poison Thorny Flowers
Welcome To My Underworld
Where It Gets Quite Dark
At Least You Know Exactly Who Your Friends Are
They’re The Ones With Matching Scars
[Verse 2]
It’s Easy To Love You When You’re Popular
The Optics Click, Everyone Prospers
But One Single Drop, You’re Off The Roster
“Tone-deaf And Hot, Let’s Fuckin’ Off Her”
[Pre-Chorus]
Did You Make A Joke Only A Man Could?
Were You Just Too Smug For Your Own Good?
Or Bring A Tiny Violin To A Knife Fight?
Baby, That All Ends Tonight
[Chorus]
Good Thing I Like My Friends Cancelled
I Like ’em Cloaked In Gucci And In Scandal
Like My Whiskey Sour
And Poison Thorny Flowers
(Honey) Welcome To My Underworld
It’ll Break Your Heart
At Least You Know Exactly Who Your Friends Are
They’re The Ones With Matching Scars
[Bridge]
They Stood By Me
Before My Exoneration
They Believed I Was Innocent
So I’m Not Here For Judgment, No, Ooh
[Verse 3]
But If You Can’t Be Good, Then Just Be Better At It
Everyone’s Got Bodies In The Attic
Or Took Somebody’s Man, We’ll Take You By The Hand
And Soon You’ll Learn The Art Of Never Getting Caught
[Chorus]
It’s A Good Thing I Like My Friends Cancelled
You Know That I Like ’em Cloaked In Gucci And In Scandal
I Like My Whiskey Sour
And Poison Thorny Flowers (Ooh)
Yeah, It’s A Good Thing I Like My Friends Cancelled (Cancelled)
I Salute You If You’re Much Too Much To Handle
Like My Whiskey Sour (I Like It)
And Poison Thorny Flowers (I Love It)
Can’t You See My Infamy Loves Company?
Now They’ve Broken You Like They’ve Broken Me
But A Shattered Glass Is A Lot More Sharp
And Now You Know Exactly Who Your Friends Are
[Outro]
You Know Who We Are
We’re The Ones With Matching Scars
Frequently Asked Questions
