Review – “1989 (Taylor’s Version)

The original “1989” album by Taylor Swift has sold over 14 million copies worldwide since its release in 2014. Released on the same date this year, the long awaited “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” includes re-recorded versions of top selling songs from the original album such as “Shake it Off!,” “Bad Blood” and “Blank Space.” The updated songs are Taylor’s, and fans will appreciate the fact that they are no longer supporting Scooter Braun by enjoying the new versions.

Since the original release, Swift has gained significant popularity, with many new fans eager to stream the updated songs. “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is the fourth album Swift has re-recorded out of the six albums that Scooter Braun bought the master recordings for in 2019. Swift claimed that Braun bullied her through his clients Justin Bieber and Kanye West. 

Five “From the Vault” songs appear on the new album that were not included on the original recording. To hype up the album release, Swift creatively announced the titles of the vault tracks. When fans searched for Taylor Swift on Google, a blue vault appeared on the screen. Clicking it revealed an option to solve 89 puzzles. After a certain amount of people solved all of the puzzles Swift announced the titles. 

The first vault track titled “Slut!” was not what fans thought it would be. The title had fans assuming it would be upbeat and fun, but the lyrics “But if I’m all dressed up, They might as well be looking at us. If they call me a slut, you know it might be worth it for once,” shows it could be about Swift not caring what the media thinks about her and her well publicized relationships. 

The inspiration Swift and Jack Antonoff, her co-writer/producer, took on “1989” includes 80’s pop stars Madonna and Janet Jackson. Similar to music in the 80’s, the album overall has a cheery vibe, and songs that are meant to be danced to. The vault track “Suburban Legends” is upbeat, and the chorus, “I didn’t come here to make friends, We were born to be suburban legends. When you hold me it holds me together. And you kiss me in a way that’s gonna screw me up forever,” shows it is about love, just like so much music from the 80’s. 

Swift is known for writing songs about previous, and current, relationships. “1989” is rumored to have many tracks, including “Style” and “Out of the Woods” about the singer Harry Styles. On the vault track, “Is it Over Now?”, the lyrics “When you lost control, red blood white snow” fans believe it is about the snowmobile accident Styles and Swift experienced in 2012.

The updated album includes new vocals that fans believe are improved. The song “I Know Places (Taylor’s Version)” includes a raspy delivery of the lyrics, “They are the hunters, we are the foxes, and we run” that she sang on tour. Even though it is a small part of the song, more emotion hits the listener.

The album has the same feel as the original recording since it is mainly the same songs, but it now shows how Swift’s vocals have matured since the original release. Swift has grown up in the spotlight, and there is no doubt that this album will give her more attention in the public eye.