Image courtesy of Beth Garrabrant / Slant Mag
When Taylor Swift left her previous record label, Big Machine Records, and signed to Republic Records in 2018, she lost the rights to her first six albums: “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989,” and “Reputation.” In order to regain her rights, Swift began to re-record her discography, dubbing each album, in parentheses, “Taylor’s Version.” After re-recording three of her earliest albums, Swift released “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” on October 27, 2023.
Back in 2014, Taylor Swift was “reinvented for the first time” (according to herself) when she released 1989 in 2014, as this album represents her foray from country into pop. I was in fifth grade, on the cusp of middle school, when I first listened to “1989.” When I listened to “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” in 2023, the same emotions that I felt listening to 1989 in 2014 rose to the surface. This album is not just music; it recalls childhood memories that live in the back of my mind.
My first concert was a show on the 1989 tour. When I entered the stadium, the excitement was palpable. Swifties were all decked out in their favorite Taylor Swift outfits, and the openers dwindled down until finally, I caught a glimpse of blonde hair and red lipstick. The crowd erupted in raucous cheers. From my box seat, I looked out into a sea of light-up bracelets and felt joy.
“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” remains true to its predecessor by blending upbeat songs and slower rhythms. Songs like “Style” and “Welcome to New York” are songs that are ideal to dance to, and relatively light in content. Other songs on the album like “Wonderland” and “Clean” keep the same upbeat tune but with more emotional lyrics. This blend creates a sequence of songs that can be enjoyable to any listener.
The songs that truly make “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” stand out are the vault tracks. The album features five vault tracks: “Slut!,” “Is it Over Now?,” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Say Don’t Go” and “Suburban Legends.” I believe that these songs were not previously released because they are more emotionally vulnerable. Swift’s wants and heartbreaks are conveyed through all of these songs, such as when she sings,
“Oh, Lord, I think about jumpin' / Off of very tall somethings / Just to see you come runnin' / And say the one thing I've been wanting, but no.”
Despite all of its strengths, the “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” has instrumentals that do not reflect the original album and do not match the songs of the new album. In the original album, Swift’s songs are accompanied by light instrumentals that match the tone of the song. However, these new instrumentals mirror those in Swift’s most recent album “Midnights” than its 2014 inspiration; louder and more abundant, the instrumentals feel more central, while Swift’s voice takes a backseat. For the dedicated Swifties will notice the difference, the switch was surprising. In the midst of the Eras Tour, “1989” generates even more of a buzz.
Ultimately, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is a blast from the past. This is the feel-good pop album of the year that transported me back to a concert full of excited Swifties and car rides with friends. The addition of the vault tracks enhances the album as it adds more raw emotion to the lyrics.
“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is now available on all streaming platforms, waiting for you to click play and burst into song on your next car trip.