Taylor Swift discusses "Cruel Summer" becoming a single four years after its release

After playing the song live during the Pittsburgh stop of The Eras Tour, Swift decided to address the rumours circulating about the song.

“"Cruel Summer" was on the Lover album. That album came out four years ago. And I just need to let you know something: "Cruel Summer" –that song was my pride and joy on that album,” she revealed. "You have conversations before the album comes out. Everybody around weighs in on what they think should be singles. I was finally, finally about to have my favourite song become the single off of Lover.”

Taylor talking about how Cruel Summer was her favorite and it’s finally becoming a single!!! #TSTheErasTour #PittsburghTSTheErasTour #CruelSummer@taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/ceK4Zxc6D1

— Holly Caitlin (@holly_caitlin) June 18, 2023

Taylor Swift reveals that she intended to make ‘Cruel Summer’ an official single off ‘Lover’ in 2020, but the pandemic stopped her plans. pic.twitter.com/Ig16oPZDCd

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 18, 2023

"I’m not trying to blame the global pandemic that we had, but that is something that happened that stopped "Cruel Summer" from ever being a single," Swift explained, as to why the song was never released even though it was one of her favourites.

The song has been blowing up recently on streaming platforms, and going viral on TikTok, which has been to Swift's surprise. She continued: “No one understands how this is happening, but you guys have streamed "Cruel Summer" so much right now in 2023 that my label have just decided to make it the next single...Thank you to anyone who’s been listening to that song like 500 times a day,” Swift said.

cruel summer is literally shaping up to be THE taylor swift songpic.twitter.com/DuPGCdXpI8

— (@theantiqueswift) June 17, 2023

Pittsburgh thank you for making me feel sooooo at home in my home state. I mean… You broke the all time attendance record and we got to be the first tour to play your stadium twice. Thank you so much for everything this weekend. You were a mesmerizing crowd, like beyond … pic.twitter.com/1bQmtJA5SS

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 18, 2023