On October 27, Taylor Swift came one step closer to reclaiming her music, releasing the newest addition to her re-recordings: 1989 (Taylor’s Version).
While 1989 is not my favorite album (I’m a Folklore girl), it does contain some of my favorite songs. It’s fair to say that I’m obsessed with every song on 1989. That is, the original 1989.
The re-record did not do the album justice.
It’s like they wanted to dampen the lyrics to make it suitable background music, which is criminal. While the music itself is undoubtedly fantastic, Swift’s music is popular because of her masterfully written lyrics and the emotion she conveys in her vocals.
I had planned on this week’s article being “An Ode To Taylor Swift’s ‘You Are In Love’” because I had expected to be enthralled with Taylor’s Version. Usually, when “You Are In Love” comes on I stop dead in my tracks; it’s a paralyzing masterpiece.
There was no visceral reaction when “You Are In Love (Taylor’s Version)” played. I saw someone describe Taylor’s Versions of the song as “AI generated,” and that is exactly what it feels like! Completely void of emotion.
The 1989 tracks are supposed to be loud, freeing, and heartfelt. They are supposed to make you feel something… anything, and I didn’t feel anything listening to the re-recorded songs.
At first, I rationalized that the original 1989 could not be topped– After all, how can you improve perfection? After two weeks of comparing both versions of each song, I could not come to another conclusion: Taylor’s Version is simply not as good as the original.
Allow me to show you how I feel while listening to the different versions of the album.
1989: 🫀🗣️🕺🎤 🎆 1989 (Taylor’s Version): 🙂🩵🎧🤖
The vault tracks, however, are an entirely different story. I play them on repeat. “Say Don’t Go”, “Now That We Don’t Talk”, and “Is It Over Now?” feel fresh. Rent was due with these songs. They are the epitome of the dancing emoji.
To be fair to 1989 (Taylor’s Version), I am known for being a critical fan. I detested “All Too Well (10-minute version)” when it first came out, and I made my dislike of Midnights known the day after the release.
Fortunately, just like with “ATW (10-Minute Version)” and Midnights, I always seem to come around. Until then, barring the Vault Tracks, I will be listening to the “stolen version” of 1989. Sue me.