As a major Swiftie, Taylor’s re-releases have been national holidays for me every time, however, 1989 is MY ALBUM. Even since its original release during my childhood, I absolutely eat, sleep, and breathe 1989. I am the biggest 1989 stan alive, and this re-release became an INTERNATIONAL holiday. MY ROMAN EMPIRE.
When thinking of the album coming out in a new, beautiful, reclaimed version, I also spent every day wondering about what the vault tracks were going to be like. I figured they’d be amazing, since its Taylor freakin’ Swift.
What I wasn’t expecting was for them to absolutely blow me out of the water. I am obsessed with them. They are everything I hoped for and like a huge glittery world of more. BOP after BOP.
Here’s my rundown on each one:
“Slut!”
Seeing this title on the list of vault tracks, I thought to myself how this was either going to be such an empowering female anthem, or absolutely heartbreaking. Funnily enough, I think it kind of turned out to be both of those things. It is probably very telling of not only the treatment of women, but also the portrayal of women in the media, especially successful artists, that we find the concept of allowing oneself to be labeled as a “slut” or “drunk” for love as something that is sweet.
Taylor has such a hard time with romance since she is so easily labeled a slut for appearing with new guys, but whoever inspired this song might have been “worth it for once”. So sweet… but so sad at the same time?
Aside from the themes of the song and the beautiful lyricism, I absolutely LOVE the melody of the song. It sounds so satisfying, everything just flowing really well. It’s giving melodic masterpiece.
My favorite lyric: “got lovesick all over my bed”
Say Don’t Go
BOP. BOP. BOP. I wish I could relive hearing this one for the first time again. I was shaken by her use of her lower register, and right as I finally adjusted she went off with the catchiest chorus ever. Lyrically it is so painful, but am I busting a move? You bet I am.
The concept of having that one person who you just wish would love you enough to tell you not to leave is so real. The girly pain of knowing you have to leave but also knowing you wouldn’t if they fought for you to stay. In both theme and also sound, this song is comparable to that of “You’re losing me”, almost like a fun cousin or baby sister.
Chefs kiss.
My favorite lyric: “Why’d you have to twist the knife?”
Now that we don’t talk
This song was laced with something. I literally cannot stop listening to it, nor can I describe how I ascend while listening to it. This is definitely my favorite of the new songs.
Once again starting with the lower register, honestly such a power move, and also something I have always wished Taylor would do more. It is such a catchy start, and then it somehow progressively becomes catchier and catchier. The production is also magnificent, Jack Antonoff deserves an award.
As a huge Harry Styles fan, and therefore a child of divorce, you should have seen my reaction when I heard the line “you grew your hair long”. I had to pause the music for a second and reconnect with nature.
Heavily relatable content as someone who has experience with someone who absolutely could not have cared less about the extra effort I was putting in. Yes, it is the catchiest song I have ever heard, but I also think it shares a super important message of how breakups can truly be for the better even if it doesn’t feel like it. To my no-contact girlies —> STAY STRONG. Listen to this song!
My favorite lyric: “I called my mom, she said that it was for the best” (shoutout to my mom who has said these exact words to me before!)
Suburban Legends
The catchiness doesn’t end here. This song has such a good beat and another super catchy chorus that easily sticks.
I really enjoy the concept of this song, since Taylor is discussing a love so profound from what appears to be her school days that just didn’t work out. She reveals some sort of dream to be a “suburban legend” in the manner she wished to have a life with this person, and the promise of a getting back together that never happened. It makes you wonder to what extent does this suburban-coded dream exclude the superstar life she has now?
The bridge STAYS stuck in my head.
She’s so real. When I say that “it’s okay that it ended” in the back of my head I can hear her singing “and my whole life’s ruined”. It really feels like that sometimes, even if it’s kind of dramatic. I keep bothering my friends with this one, sending texts like “I’m okay (that’s gonna screw me up forever)”.
My favorite lyric: “I was always turning out my empty pockets”
Is it over now?
When I say my jaw was dropped during this whole entire song….
Once again forced to remember I am a child of divorce and my “Haylor” delusions will never make their way into existence. She really ate him up with this one.
I sing my heart out to this one while also looking around my room at my Harry Styles belongings feeling almost guilty. What can I say.. it’s really catchy. I definitely also think it’s deserving, no matter how much I love Mr. Styles. At least its in the past and he also wasn’t over 30 at the time of this songs writing!
The lyrics are so good but also so directly calling him out which I actually really love. Jack really did the production so well, its like I can literally hear him saying “here’s an amazing beat, tear him up girl”.
Incredible song. Harry is in my male celebrity doghouse for a little bit.
My favorite lyric: “If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her.”
Conclusion
Can easily say this is my favorite set of vault songs yet. It should have been a chargeable crime keeping these masterpieces hidden from the world honestly. I would say I’ll be in my 1989 era for the next few weeks, but I have honestly never left my 1989 era.
Just because I need you all to know, I did get the 1989 cardigan. Now all I need to truly complete my life is for you all to listen to these vault songs and fall in love with Taylor Swift!