Background

Taylor released her fifth studio album, 1989, in October 2014. Its synth-pop production transformed her sound and image from country-oriented to mainstream pop. The album was a massive commercial success, selling over five million copies in the U.S. within one year, and spawning three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles. The BBC asserted that the success of 1989 solidified Taylor’s status as a global pop star.

In 2016, when Taylor was at the peak of overexposure, some of her rivals in the industry (including Scooter Braun, Kanye West and Justin Bieber) succeded in launching a worldwide hate campaign against her. As a result, Taylor disappeared from public view for an entire year and thought about quitting music for good. She became increasingly reticent on social media, having previously maintained an active presence with a large following, and avoided interactions with the press. She conceived her sixth studio album, reputation, as an answer to the media commotion surrounding her celebrity.

Taylor had first teased a portion of “…Ready For It?”, along with “Look What You Made Me Do“, on September 2, 2017, during ABC‘s “Saturday Night Football” broadcast of the Florida State vs. Alabama game. It was later used in the introduction to every “Saturday Night Football” game on ABC. The same day, she announced the song would be included on her upcoming album, reputation, and confirmed its release as a promotional single. It was made available for digital download as part of the pre-order of the album on September 3, 2017. It impacted contemporary hit radio on September 17, 2017. A remix for “…Ready For It?” featuring American musician BloodPop was released on December 10, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics. 

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Knew he was a killer
First time that I saw him
Wonder how many girls
He had loved and left haunted
But if he’s a ghost then
I can be a phantom
Holdin’ him for ransom

[Verse 2]
Some boys are tryin’ too hard
He don’t try at all though
Younger than my exes
But he act like such a man, so I see nothing better
I keep him forever
…like a vendetta

[Pre-Chorus]
I, I, I see how this is gon go
Touch me, and you’ll never be alone
I, Island breeze and lights down low
No one has to know

[Chorus]
In the middle of the night
In my dreams
You should see the things we do
Baby…Mmm…
In the middle of the night
In my dreams
I know I’m gonna be with you
So I take my time
…are you ready for it?

[Verse 3]
Knew I was a robber
First time that he saw me
Stealing hearts and running off and never saying “sorry”
But if I’m a thief then
He can join the heist and
We’ll move to an island
And, and he can be my jailer
Burton to this Taylor
Every love I’ve known in comparison is a failure
I forget their names now
I’m so very tame now
Never be the same now, now

[Pre-Chorus]
I, I, I see how this is gon go
Touch me and you’ll never be alone
I, Island breeze and lights down low
No one has to know… (No one has to know)

[Chorus]
In the middle of the night
In my dreams
You should see the things we do
Baby…Mmm…
In the middle of the night
In my dreams
I know I’m gonna be with you
So I take my time
…are you ready for it?
…are you ready for it?

[Bridge]
Baby let the games begin
Let the games begin
Let the games begin
Baby let the games begin
Let the games begin
Let the games begin

[Pre-Chorus]
I, I, I see how this is gon go
Touch me and you’ll never be alone
I, Island breeze and lights down low
No one has to know…

[Chorus]
In the middle of the night
In my dreams (My dreams)
You should see the things we do
Baby…Mmm…
In the middle of the night
In my dreams (My dreams)
I know I’m gonna be with you
So I take my time
In the middle of the night

[Outro]
Baby let the games begin
Let the games begin
Let the games begin
…are you ready for it?
Baby let the games begin
Let the games begin
Let the games begin
…are you ready for it?