If you have been on social media within the past year, you may have noticed that pop icon Taylor Swift is re-releasing her first 6 studio albums. If you find yourself wondering why Swift is releasing “Taylor’s Version”, you’ve come to the right place!
In 2004, record executive Scott Borchetta launched Big Machine Label Group, to which he signed his first artist–a 14 year old country singer named Taylor Swift. The record deal consisted of a 13-year contract of releasing music under this label. During these 13 years, Swift would go on to release 6 studio albums under Big Machine: Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and reputation (2017). Under this record label, Borchetta as well as other executives at Big Machine would own the masters to Swift’s albums. During her time at Big Machine, Swift had made it clear to Big Machine that she had interest in buying her masters, had they gone up for sale. Borchetta disregarded her wishes and went on to sell her masters without her consent.
Taylor Swift left Big Machine Records in 2018 after releasing her 6th studio album, reputation, to join Republic Records and Universal Music Group. Borchetta proceeded to put Big Machine as well as Swift’s masters up for sale, without her knowledge. Scooter Braun, a fellow record executive and manager, bought Big Machine Records, acquiring Swift’s masters. Swift tells CBS Sunday Morning host Tracy Smith, “I knew [Borchetta] would sell my music, I knew he would do that; I couldn’t believe who he sold it to” (Smith, CBS Sunday Morning). Borchetta was aware Swift was interested in acquiring her masters, yet proceeded to sell them to Braun. Braun went on to resell her masters in late 2020.
So, the exchange of the masters happened, but why does that matter? Owning masters means having the rights to control where your music gets used (i.e. movie soundtrack, TV show, etc.). Speculation of Swift re-recording her first 6 albums circulated, to which she confirmed in the summer of 2019. Swift released Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in April of 2021, the first re-recording of 6. As of September 28 of 2021, Swift has just released her hit single Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version) and is set to release Red (Taylor’s Version) in the fall. Just like Fearless (Taylor’s Version), this upcoming release will feature never before heard songs “from the vault”, featuring artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Ed Sheeran. Swift has not confirmed when future releases will come, but we know reputation (Taylor’s Version) cannot come until late 2022, as there is a 5 year waiting period necessary between initial release and re-recording release.
Despite extreme bumps in the road to acquire her masters, Swift has not given up hope and will continue to re-release her first 6 albums. As for her previous 3 albums, Lover, folklore, and evermore, they are owned under Republic Records and UMG, in which Swift has ownership of her work. You won’t want to miss the re-recordings to come, and you can stream Red (Taylor’s Version) on all streaming platforms November 12, 2021!