Review | Taylor Swift’s old music never goes out of style

In a mission to own her entire discography, award-winning artist Taylor Swift re-released her most popular album, “1989,” on Oct. 27, which included five new songs in addition to her 2014 hits. Photo collage by SIMRAH AHMAD, Staff Photographer

At 13 years old, I gave a speech on Taylor Swift’s album “1989” to my speech and debate class in middle school, detailing the best and worst parts of each track. I researched the album for months, spending every waking moment listening to the upbeat tunes in order to fully immerse myself in the album. Nine years later, in my college apartment, I bought blueberry donuts, blue champagne and shamelessly set up blue decorations in order to fully appreciate the experience of the re-recording of “1989.” 

Upon my first listen, I was brought back to being an awkward 13-year-old singing “Bad Blood” with my entire chest. I have always been impressed by Swift’s ability to reignite the nostalgia with her re-recordings while also making subtle changes to showcase the ways in which she has evolved as an artist. Her latest release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is no different.

“1989” was originally released Oct. 27, 2014, exactly nine years prior to the release of the re-recording. “1989” was Swift’s true turn to pop, after the media had criticized her for being “too country” in her four previous albums. Compared to her prior works which feature gut-wrenching ballads of heartbreak and acoustic songs about first loves, “1989” shifts to a more sarcastic and light-hearted tone, while still keeping her signature autobiographical narratives. 

On Nov. 16, 2020, Swift first announced she would be re-recording her music after Scooter Braun, her old producer, sold the rights to Swift’s masters. In an effort to own her own music in its entirety, she began to re-release her old music, dubbing them “Taylor’s Version.”

On the day of its release, Swift became the most listened-to artist in a single day in Spotify history, and she even broke the record for the most streamed album in a single day with “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” The announcement came after Taylor Swift’s final show of the U.S. leg of The Eras Tour on Aug. 9. Accompanied by months of vague hints from Swift herself, fans felt confident that Aug. 9 would be the day Swift announced the re-recording of her album “1989.”

Just as fans were beginning to feel a bit impatient, Swift walked out in a crystal-covered blue dress to sing “Enchanted” from the famously purple album “Speak Now.” Fans were shocked to see Swift dressed in blue, the color correlated with “1989,” as opposed to the usual purple gown she sports during the “Speak Now” set. This was all the confirmation fans needed to be sure the beloved pop album’s re-release would be announced that evening. 

In true Swift fashion, the artist created a game on Google where fans had to solve different puzzles (33 million globally, to be exact) before the vault track names would be released. When a user would Google Swift’s name, a blue vault would appear on the screen. By clicking on it, users would be directed to a word search that only true Swifties could solve. 

Similarly to her previous re-records, Swift included an additional five vault tracks (unreleased songs), making the deluxe album 22 songs long. 

“To be perfectly honest, this is my most FAVORITE re-record I’ve ever done because the 5 From The Vault tracks are so insane. I can’t believe they were ever left behind,” Swift said in her Instagram post after announcing the album’s release.

The sheer title of “Slut!,” which is the first vault track, had fans excitedly speculating what the song would be about as soon as the track was announced. What many thought would be an upbeat party anthem turned out to be a love song. Swift sings: “And if they call me a slut / You know it might be worth it for once,” which references the media at the time and their relentless efforts to bog down Swift for her dating habits, thus the title.

Two of Swift’s new vault tracks in particular have fans grasping at hints on who they could be portraying. In my personal favorite addition to the album, “Now That We Don’t Talk,” Swift sings: “You grew your hair long / You got new icons,” which is thought to reference her breakup with Harry Styles due to his wavy locks and new tattoos after their separation. In “Is it Over Now?” lyrics read: “If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her / You dream of my mouth before it called you a lying traitor / You search in every model’s bed for somethin’ greater, baby,” which reference’s Styles’ rumored infidelity and following relationships.

The nearly five-minute pop ballad, “Say Don’t Go,” pairs classic, gut-wrenching lyrics with an upbeat tune, making the song perfect for any solo shower concert. Swift writes: “Why'd you have to (Why'd you have to) / Make me love you? (Make me love you) / I said, ‘I love you’ (I said, ‘I love you’) / You say nothin' back.” These lyrics tell the story of a one-sided love affair in which Swift is given the short end of the stick in her relationship. 

Of the 16 original songs on the “1989” album, fans have been vocal about which re-recordings have lived up to the authenticity of the originals and which ones just sound too different. While some fans are quick to criticize the difference in production of upbeat songs like “Style,” others are swooning at the rawness of songs like “You Are In Love.”

Despite being one of my least favorite albums of Swift’s prior to the re-release, I still went in with an open mind. And to my surprise, I enjoyed the album more than 13-year-old me ever did. Where some fans reject the subtle differences in her voice, I embrace them. I love the way her voice perfectly squeaks in “I Know Places” and how her vocal maturity is showcased in “Clean.” While listening to the album on repeat may have annoyed my middle school self, college Taylor is constantly eager to get in her car and crank the re-record to max volume. 

With only “Reputation” and her self titled album, “Taylor Swift,” to re-record before officially owning the rights to all of her music, Swift is surely on the way to making her wildest dreams come true.