As we, and basically the rest of the world, know, Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated re-released album, RED (Taylor’s Version) November 12th. In August after re-releasing her second album Fearless, Taylor announced in a cryptic Instagram post that she would be dropping her new version of RED, along with unreleased “vault” songs and a ten minute version of her hit
song, All Too Well. Given that the initial release of RED was nine years ago, it is fairly obvious that there would be some differences between the new and old versions of the album. Here are some of the subtle differences between the songs you may have missed!
1. Vault Songs
The most obvious difference between the two albums are the additional nine songs “from the vault”, seven brand new, unheard songs and two that were sold to other artists. These songs from the vault appear at the end of the album and are as such: Better Man, Nothing New feat. Phoebe Bridgers, Babe, Message in a Bottle, I Bet You Think About Me feat. Chris Stapleton, Forever Winter, Run feat. Ed Sheeran, The Very First Night, and finally All Too Well (10 Minute Version).
2. State of Grace
The most notable difference between the original track and Taylor’s Version track is the beat. It starts the album stronger with more of a pop-rock sound as compared to the fairly softer sound on the original.
3. Girl at Home
Similar to the difference between State of Grace on each album, the Taylor’s Version of Girl at Home is significantly stronger and has more of the pop-rock sound, whereas the original has a softer, country-pop sound.
4. WeeEEEE Are Never Getting Back Together
This is probably the most obvious change between the We Are Never Getting Back Together versions. The second “We” in each chorus is more intense than it is in the original. It can definitely catch you off guard the first time listening, just as a heads up!
5. Starlight
This song has a tiny lyric change between each version. The original verse goes, “Look at you, worrying so much about things you can’t change,” whereas the Taylor’s Version instead goes, “Look at you, worrying too much about things you can’t change.” Subtle, but notable!
6. I Almost Do
This is a very subtle difference, but a good one. In the bridge, during the line, “In my dreams, you’re touching my face,” in Taylor’s Version she has a faint voice crack that isn’t in the original. It’s so small but beautiful!
Overall, the album was everything us Swifties wanted and more! There are plenty of small differences between the albums that can be easy to miss, but hopefully this list helped!