How to pre-order Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Target-exclusive CD and vinyl variants online

Taylor Swift fans are preparing for the release of her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, which arrives on October 3, 2025. For those who may not want to stand in line at one of the 500 Target stores opening at midnight that day, there is an easier option. Target is offering exclusive versions of the album on its website, and pre-orders are already open.

Through the years, the retailer has worked with Taylor Swift frequently, including her exclusive album editions. This time, Target will have multiple special CD Editions, as well as a vinyl that fans can reserve online. Each is accompanied by custom artwork and other collectible extras, which indicate that it is intended for listeners who want something beyond the standard edition. It makes it easier to pre-order online, too, since fans will hopefully receive it at home, instead of racing to a store.

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What is special about Taylor Swift’s Target CDs?

Target’s exclusive versions of The Life of a Showgirl are now listed on its website and app. As of today, there are three separate compact disc editions with different titles and designs. The CDs are titled "It's Frightening," "It's Rapturous," and "It's Beautiful," each with a fold-out poster, unpublished photos, printed lyrics, and unique art on the disc.

In addition, Target is also selling a special edition called Sweat and Vanilla Perfume, available as both a CD and vinyl. While these versions carry the same names and artwork as the CDs that briefly appeared on Taylor Swift's own webstore, they no longer include the trinkets that were advertised with those direct-to-consumer editions. Still, the inclusion of posters, lyrics, and fresh images makes the Target versions attractive to collectors and fans who missed the first round.

The prices are in line with Target’s usual music offerings. The CDs are listed for $14.99 each, while the vinyl costs around $34.99. Pre-orders placed now are scheduled to ship on October 3, the day of the album’s release, though in some cases delivery could come slightly after, depending on location and shipping demand.

For fans who prefer shopping in person, Target has announced that 500 stores across the United States will open their doors at midnight on release day. These locations will carry the exclusive versions in-store. However, for many fans, ordering online may prove easier and more reliable. It also removes the risk of items selling out quickly in physical locations, something that has happened with past Taylor Swift releases.

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How to place a pre-order online?

Ordering one of these exclusive editions online is a simple process, though there are a few details to keep in mind. First, fans should go to Target’s website or use the Target app and search for "Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl." The exclusive variants are displayed clearly, and each one is marked as a Target exclusive.

When you arrive at the product page, make sure to choose the edition that you would like. Each CD version has been assigned to a separate listing, so fans who want all three versions will have to buy each version. The Sweat and Vanilla Perfume edition is available on both CD and vinyl, so customers must double-check that they have selected the correct variant before adding it to the cart.

Target has set a max purchase of four copies per customer for each version. This is to give more fans a chance to purchase them and to cut bulk buyers. The retailer requires a US billing and shipping address for orders, and deliveries cannot be sent to P.O. Boxes or some US territories such as Guam or Puerto Rico.

After adding the chosen album to the cart, customers can proceed to checkout as they would with any other Target purchase. Payment is completed through the site or app, and an email confirmation is sent to confirm the order. On October 3, the package should ship and arrive either that day or shortly after, depending on delivery conditions.

Target’s return policy also applies to these albums. Fans who change their minds or receive damaged items can return them within 30 days, either in-store or by mail. The only condition is that the product must be unopened for a full refund.

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Extra context around Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl

The Target exclusives are part of a bigger moment in Taylor Swift’s career. She first revealed The Life of a Showgirl on August 11, just after a countdown appeared on her official website and not long before her fiancé, Travis Kelce, announced she would join his New Heights podcast. On the show, she confirmed the record and explained some of the creative themes behind it.

The album has twelve tracks, with the ending saying goodbye to the world with the track "The Life of a Showgirl" featuring Sabrina Carpenter. The record held the most pre-saved album in Spotify’s history, first held by the Tortured Poets Department album by Taylor Swift herself earlier this year, and was recently taken over at the end of August when tickets became available.

The album has twelve tracks, with the title track "The Life of a Showgirl" featuring Sabrina Carpenter. The record held the most pre-saved albums in Spotify’s history, surpassing the Tortured Poets Department album by Taylor Swift herself earlier this year, and was recently taken over at the end of August when tickets became available to the audience.

These distinctions showcase how much excitement there is for this album. For Target, the exclusive versions are another installment in an ongoing partnership for the past several albums of Taylor Swift's. For Taylor Swift's die-hard fans, pre-orders from Target provide clout with surefire copies of the album, without worrying about stores selling out or limiting copies. As we get closer to October 3, the demand will grow, but getting a copy is undoubtedly a must for every Swiftie!