As many may have noticed, Taylor Swift has been re-recording her albums. The rerecording process is a long one and very anticipated but the question is why? In 2019, Swift’s record company, Big Machine, sold her music to a man named Scooter Braun without her permission. So, for the past 5 years Taylor hasn’t had access to them and doesn’t have the right to make money off of her own music. The only thing she could do that would turn it around would be to re-record and release all of her “stolen” albums and that is exactly what she has been doing.
Along with 1989, Swift has re-recorded her Fearless, Speak Now and Red albums. With each new release, more and more people are drawn to the world of being a Swiftie and everything that comes with it. Each release is unique and consists of different hints as to what she is releasing next. The fact that she hides things in her music videos and social media posts that hint to new releases and plans for the future is what draws a lot of people in. One of the most well known is In Taylor Swift “Karma” Music video where she displays an hour glass that has 1989 colors. This clearly showed that 1989 Taylors Version was soon to come.
But the most exciting thing is that with each new album, she releases around 5 to 6 completely new songs (from the vault). On Thursday, October 26 Taylor released 1989 (Taylors Version) which included five new songs, “Slut!”, “Say Don’t Go”, “Now That We Don’t Talk”, “Suburban Legends”, and “Is It Over Now”. She also included a recorded version of her song Bad Blood ft. Kendrick Lamar. Swift made a post on instagram about the fact that Lamar was super excited and willing to re-record the song and help her win everything back.
A lot of Swifties have different opinions on the new songs and the differences between her new and the original 1989 album. Senior Bella Bennettr said, “I thought 1989 (Taylors Version) was good, some songs weren’t as good, but some were better than the original. My favorite vault track was “Say Don’t Go.”
Sometimes the re-recorded album doesn’t sound as good or sounds different than the original. This is because Taylor legally has to change the way the song sounds. They aren’t meant to sound the same but are just meant to open a new era. Some people like the originals better, but most Swifities are still supportive and will listen to Taylor’s Version no matter what.
Although the songs have to be changed, they still have quality and become the next best thing. Everytime Swift re-releases an album it appears on the top list and becomes a hit. Once an album is re-released the old album will hopefully never be heard again because of the loyalty that Swifties have to Taylor. Listening to the old album means supporting Scooter Braun.
” My favorite is “Is It Over Now” and I think the new album is great overall. I really liked “Bad Blood ft. Kendrick Lamar.” I’m glad she still included that,” said Jake Hancey, a senior. So just like Bennet and Hancey, there are a lot of people who have different opinions on it. The overall outlook seems to be positive and Swifties are glad that Taylor is taking a stand and getting her albums back.
On the other hand, there are some who haven’t even heard of any of this and don’t know what’s going on but are just now starting to listen and get involved. “I’m not really a Swiftie but a lot of my friends are. I liked “Now That We Don’t Talk,” Said senior Adie Skeen.
Taylor Swift may not be for everyone and Swifties can be super annoying sometimes, but it’s always fun to check in and listen to Taylor’s latest tracks. So far she owns 8 out of 10 of her original albums. The two remaining are her Debut album and the other, Reputation. The most anticipated by many fans have always been 1989 and Reputation, so the best is yet to come.
