Last week, Taylor Swift released her fourth re-recorded album: 1989 (Taylor’s Version). And as a club made up almost entirely of Swifties, we have a lot to say. Here are our thoughts on Taylor’s latest masterpiece:
Kate Bridges ’27
I stayed up until midnight for the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version), anxiously counting down the minutes as I listened to the original album one last time. I was a bit worried that the re-records of some of my favorite songs like “Style” and “You Are In Love” would sound noticeably different in their production, or not pack the same emotional punch. Although the re-recorded songs did sound slightly different, I didn’t feel like any songs were “ruined” or dramatically altered. It’s still an absolutely perfect pop album. When I first listened to the vault tracks, none of them immediately jumped out at me the same way “I Can See You” did when I first heard Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and I was slightly disappointed. However, after listening to the album on repeat for a few days, I have become fully addicted to the vault tracks, especially “‘Slut!’” (a song that is confusing for having quotation marks in its title, but otherwise perfect). I have also been amused by the irony in the fact that so many people were anticipating a Harry Styles collab, while one of the songs that is presumably about him is literally titled “Now That We Don’t Talk.” Perhaps no ex-boyfriend that doesn’t share her first name is safe.
Caroline Snyder ’26
Overall, I loved 1989 (Taylor’s Version)—it was the album that got me into being a Swiftie and listening to Taylor’s music all those years ago. I have vivid memories of reading, sitting in the back of the car on road trips, and doing just about every activity an eleven year old would do, sound tracked by the soundtrack of Taylor’s ‘80s-synth-influenced pop. There were a few songs that disappointed me, but some that were even better than the original. I must say, “Style,” “Clean,” and “Wonderland” were disappointments, but I LOVED “I Know Places.” It has always been my favorite track on the album, and it has only gotten better! The growl in it was everything. I also adored the vault tracks—I was not expecting “Slut!” to be cute, but it was, and I love it even more than the sass I was expecting. Once again, Taylor did not disappoint.
Allie Ziegler ’24
1989 has always been a bit lower on my ranking of Taylor albums. That’s not to say I don’t love it; it just has a lot of tough competition. However, I was just as excited about 1989 (Taylor’s Version) as I was about the other re-releases, and after listening to it, I may be forced to change my album ranking. I am very happy with the way 1989 (Taylor’s Version) turned out. I know many people have some qualms about the production of certain songs, but I personally don’t notice many differences, and some of my favorite songs sound even better. As for the vault tracks, I have really enjoyed them! I was surprised by the tempo and content of “Slut!,” as I assumed it would be an upbeat feminist anthem, but I love it nonetheless. I also currently have “Now That We Don’t Talk” and “Is It Over Now?” on repeat. I am always grateful for Miss Swift and her continuous stream of new music, and I already can’t wait for the next re-recording, whenever it may be.
Madeline Motes ’27
1989 has always been one of my favorite albums, and while I also enjoyed earlier albums like Fearless and Red, 1989 was the first album that turned me into a Swiftie. I have some very special memories associated with it too, as the DC stop on the 1989 World Tour was my first time ever seeing Taylor, at a 10 year old. So, I was very excited to hear what the re-released versions of my old favorites (some of which are still my favorites) were like. I loved how Taylor included the Kendrick Lamar verse on “Bad Blood,” since that has always been my favorite version. I’ve also heard some people saying that the intro of “Style” is different, however I didn’t notice any changes. “I Know Places” was just as good as the original, and it’s one of the best songs on the album in my opinion. Overall, I loved 1989 (Taylor’s Version), and it brought me tons of nostalgia. Can’t wait for Rep (TV), though!
Eva Rausch ’27
1989 was the first Taylor Swift album that I listened to when I was nine years old. I absolutely loved it and would listen to it on repeat on my hot pink iPod. When I heard that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) would be released on October 27, 2023, I could not wait. Since listening to Taylor Swift nine years ago, I have become a Swiftie, and even went to the Eras Tour in Denver, Colorado. When I listened to the album, my childhood self was freaking out over the grown-up version of 1989. The original 1989 album was the perfect pop album and would be difficult to improve, but Taylor Swift still delivered with power and confidence. However, on some of Taylor Swift’s other re-recorded albums, such as Red (Taylor’s Version) and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), there is a noticeable difference between the original and her version. The songs on 1989 (Taylor’s Version) are just as influential as they were when they were originally released. When listening to the vault tracks, I loved “Now That We Don’t Talk” and “Suburban Legends.” As the biggest Harry Styles fan, I love the speculation of “Now That We Don’t Talk” being about Harry Styles. I immediately loved “Suburban Legends,” which is about reminiscing about the past while also imagining the future. Lyrics such as “And you kiss me in a way that’s gonna screw me forever” and “When you hold me, it holds me together” are absolutely heart wrenching. Taylor Swift never fails to deliver spectacular re-recordings that are out of my wildest dreams.
Caitlin Boyd ’24
1989 (Taylor’s Version) is turning me into a 1989 girl, these days. Because of the absolute explosion this album experienced in my middle school days, it has stayed firmly implanted in that time of my life. However, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) has gotten me excited about these songs again and reintroduced me to some forgotten bops. For the longest time, I really just thought of “I Know Places,” “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” and “I Wish You Would,” as variations of the same song that I didn’t listen to all that often. But on Taylor’s Version, I feel like each of these get their moment to shine, and I am so much more drawn to them than I ever was before. While I think a lot of the songs sound indistinguishable from their original variant, I love the additions Taylor made on “Out Of The Woods.” This song has always had a top tier bridge, but her vocal shimmer on the backing vocal makes this song even stronger. As for vault tracks, “Now That We Don’t Talk” is such an ear worm. For days after I first heard it I would randomly burst into song because I could not get this track out of my head. Such a simple line—“now that we don’t talk”—is somehow so catchy.