Opalite (song)

Last updated

"Opalite"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album The Life of a Showgirl
ReleasedOctober 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
Studio
  • MXM (Stockholm)
  • Shellback (Stockholm)
Genre Pop rock
Length3:55
Label Republic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Taylor Swift
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Lyric video
"Opalite" on YouTube

"Opalite" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (2025). It was written and produced by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback. Titled after synthetic opal simulants, "Opalite" is an upbeat pop rock song about contentment in romantic love. It was inspired by Swift's fiancé, the American football player Travis Kelce.

Contents

Background and conception

On August 13, 2025, Taylor Swift announced her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl , during an episode of New Heights , a sports podcast co-hosted by her then-boyfriend Travis Kelce. [1] "Opalite" was also announced that day as the third track on the album. [2]

Swift's childhood love of opals inspired the song's title. Opal is also Kelce's birthstone. An opalite, however, is an artificial opal—a synthetic opalescent glass, simulating various opal and moonstone gems. Swift took inspiration from these facts, employing opalite as a metaphor for the idea that happiness can be created voluntarily. [3] [4] Opal is also believed to symbolically represent hope, healing, and positive energy. [5] [4] Swift described the song as "a song about forgiving yourself for having gone through something that didn't pan out the way you wanted it to and giving yourself permission to not have it all figured out or not marry the first person you ever dated". [6]

Composition

"Opalite" is a pop rock song [7] [8] with influences of Europop. [9] It was written and produced by Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback. [10] The song is described as a love song about the American football player Travis Kelce, who Swift has been in a relationship with since 2023. [11] The lyrics are mainly focused on Swift's relationship with Kelce, and includes references to former relationships of both Swift and Kelce. [12]

Reception

"Opalite" received a positive critical response, with critics praising its catchy lyrics and optimism. In Kelce's New Heights podcast, he described it as his favorite song on the album. [13] [11] BBC's Mark Savage praised the song's chords and ABBA-like harmonies, describing them as "unfurling like a blossoming romance". [14] The Los Angeles Times 's Mikael Wood described the song as a "gorgeous soft-rock tune", [15] and People 's Samantha Stutsman described that the song "shimmers like a gemstone". [16] USA Today 's Bryan West described the song as having a "glossy synth-pop tune" and described the melody as being "as addictive as a narcotic". [11]

The song is mostly described as cheerful and hooky, with a more positive approach, especially compared to the previous two tracks on the album. [17] It has also been described as a "messy but beautiful" journey of "overcoming old instincts". [15] [18] While Swift has written many songs that describe abstract relationships, "Opalite" is noted as one of the first to describe a real one. [19] The ranking of "Opalite" among other songs in the album is usually high. It is ranked number one in For the Win, described as "fun and sweet", and Swift's joyful tone "oozes out of this track". [20]

Commercial performance

Despite not being a single, the song topped the charts in the Philippines [21] and reached the top ten in several countries across the globe, including Australia, Vietnam, Switzerland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Norway, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Singapore and top twenty in Belgium, Middle East, Spain, Taiwan, France and Brazil. [22]

Personnel

Credits adapted from album liner notes. [10]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Opalite"
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) [23] 17
Argentina Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) [24] 12
Australia (ARIA) [25] 2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [26] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [27] 18
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) [28] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [29] 2
Costa Rica Airplay (FONOTICA) [30] 16
Costa Rica Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) [31] 8
Croatia ( Billboard ) [32] 9
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [33] 9
Denmark (Tracklisten) [34] 3
Ecuador Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) [35] 6
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [36] 11
France (SNEP) [37] 20
Germany (GfK) [38] 3
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [39] 2
Greece International (IFPI) [40] 3
Hong Kong ( Billboard ) [41] 8
Hungary (Single Top 40) [42] 21
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [43] 6
India International (IMI) [44] 2
Ireland (IRMA) [45] 2
Italy (FIMI) [46] 30
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) [47] 3
Lithuania (AGATA) [48] 9
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) [49] 24
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [50] 4
Malaysia (IFPI) [51] 7
Malaysia International (RIM) [52] 5
Mexico ( Billboard ) [53] 20
Middle East and North Africa (IFPI) [54] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [55] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [56] 2
Norway (IFPI Norge) [57] 3
Paraguay Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) [58] 13
Peru ( Billboard ) [59] 24
Peru Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) [60] 15
Philippines (IFPI) [61] 2
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100) [62] 1
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) [63] 15
Portugal (AFP) [64] 2
Saudi Arabia (IFPI) [65] 14
Singapore (RIAS) [66] 3
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [67] 14
South Africa (TOSAC) [68] 18
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [69] 11
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [70] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [71] 2
Taiwan ( Billboard ) [72] 12
UK Singles (OCC) [73] 2
US Billboard Hot 100 [74] 2
US Adult Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [75] 21
US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [76] 34
Vietnam (IFPI) [77] 9
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100) [78] 51

References

  1. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (August 13, 2025). "Taylor Swift reveals Life of a Showgirl release date, album cover & track list featuring Sabrina Carpenter". Billboard . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  2. ↑ Bonner, Mehera (August 13, 2025). "Taylor Swift Reveals Tracklist for The Life of a Showgirl". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  3. ↑ Ukiomogbe, Juliana (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's 'Opalite' Lyrics Are About Travis Kelce and 'Creating Your Own Happiness'". ELLE . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Vivinetto, Gina (October 7, 2025). "Are Taylor Swift's 'Opalite' Lyrics a Nod to Her and Travis Kelce? Read Them in Full". Today.com . Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Beliefs and Superstitions Surrounding The Opal Gemstone - Opal Cutters". Australian Opal Cutters and Pearl Divers. September 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ Stutsman, Samantha (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Explains 'Opalite' Lyrics in-Depth, Revealing Travis Kelce's Birthstone Connection". People . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  7. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl: All 12 Tracks Ranked". Billboard . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Review, The Life of a Showgirl: As Compelling as She's Ever Been – the Star, The Ringmaster and the Circus All in One". The Independent . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will (October 3, 2025). "The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl" . The Times . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  10. 1 2 The Life of a Showgirl (booklet). Taylor Swift. Republic Records. 2025.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. 1 2 3 West, Bryan (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift turns Travis Kelce's birthstone into a bop with shimmering love song 'Opalite'". USA Today. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  12. ↑ Stutsman, Samantha (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's 'Opalite' Lyrics Explained: Breaking Down the Travis Kelce-Inspired Track". People . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  13. ↑ France, Lisa Respers (October 3, 2025). "Charli XCX beef, love and sex: 'Life of a Showgirl' is Taylor Swift's most adult album ever". CNN. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl is a loved-up pop victory lap". www.bbc.com. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' is an immaculate act of damage control". Los Angeles Times. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Taylor Swift Explains 'Opalite' Lyrics in-Depth, Revealing Travis Kelce's Birthstone Connection". People.com. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  17. ↑ Fell, Nicole (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl': A Track-by-Track Breakdown". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  18. ↑ More, Durva (October 4, 2025). "Taylor Swift's "Opalite" glows with love, healing, and Travis Kelce connection". The Economic Times . ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  19. ↑ Banks, Emma (October 3, 2025). "Breaking Down the Meaning of Every Song on Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' Album". InStyle. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  20. ↑ Darney, Caroline. "Ranking every Taylor Swift 'Showgirl' song from her new album". For The Win. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  21. ↑ Saulog, Gabriel (October 28, 2025). "Taylor Swift's "Opalite" Hits No. 1 On The Philippines Hot 100". Billboard Philippines . Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  22. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia - Week 40 (10/09/2025)". Official Southeast Asia Charts . October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Taylor Swift. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Top 20 Argentina – Anglo – Del 6 al 12 de Octubre, 2025" [Top 20 Argentina – English – From 6 to 12 October, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  30. ↑ "TOP 20 Semanal Streaming Costa Rica Sem #41" (in Spanish). Asociación Costarricense de la Industria Fonográfica y Afines. Archived from the original on October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Top 20 Costa Rica – Anglo – Del 20 al 26 de Octubre, 2025" [Top 20 Costa Rica – English – From 20 to 26 October, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  33. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite". Tracklisten. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Top 20 Ecuador – Anglo – Del 20 al 26 de Octubre, 2025" [Top 20 Ecuador – English – From 20 to 26 October, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Taylor-Swift: Opalite" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 41/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 41. Birt 11. október 2025 – Næst uppfært 18. október 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  44. ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 13th October 2025 | Week 41 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Classifiche – Top Digital – Classifica settimanale WK 41 del 2025". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (in Italian). Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Teilore Svifta plūc mūzikas topu uzvaras laurus arī Latvijā" [Taylor Swift also tops the music charts in Latvia] (in Latvian). TV Net  [ lv ]. October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  48. ↑ "2025 41-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Oct 23, 2025". TopHit. October 24, 2025. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  51. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 10/03/2025 to 10/09/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 14, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 41]
  52. ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 41 (03/10/2025-09/10/2025)". RIM. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025– via Facebook.
  53. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Mexico Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  54. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 41, 2025 – 03/10 to 09/10/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025 and week 41 to view peak.). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Singel 2025 uke 41". IFPI Norge . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  58. ↑ "Top 20 Paraguay – Anglo – Del 20 al 26 de Octubre, 2025" [Top 20 Paraguay – English – From 20 to 26 October, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  59. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Peru Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  60. ↑ "Top 20 Perú – Anglo – Del 20 al 26 de Octubre, 2025" [Top 20 Peru – English – From 20 to 26 October, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  61. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 10/10/2025 to 10/16/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 21, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 42]
  62. ↑ "Billboard Philippines Hot 100 (Week of November 01, 2025)". Billboard Philippines .
  63. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 03.10.2025–09.10.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
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  66. ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 41 (3 - 9 Oct 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  67. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  68. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 41-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  69. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  70. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  71. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Opalite". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  72. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Taiwan Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  73. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  74. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  75. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  76. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
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