Taylor Swift announced on Good Morning America that her re-recorded version of Fearless would be out on April 9th. Although there is still two months to go for the album to reach our ears, Love Story (Taylor’s Version) was released on February 12th, giving us an initial glimpse of what to expect.
After listening to it once, I did not hear much of a difference. Only after multiple streams did I notice the slight nuances peppered throughout the song.
1. The Music Video:
Swift did not create a traditional music video for the 2021 version of Love Story. However, she did post an official lyrics video, which displays intimate moments between her and her fans. That being said, this shows how much Swift loves her fans for always being there for her and helping her attain all this success in the first place. So, if anything, this song acts as a tribute to them.
2. Voice & Tonal Quality
From the 2008 version, you can hear Swift’s country accent, which is a prominent feature considering her musical roots. Despite that, her latest piece completely eliminates that aspect. You can sense how much stronger and more mature she sounds, and she definitely has gained a significant amount of control over her voice.
3. Vibes
When comparing both the original and new, the messages that are portrayed in each are drastically different. In the first version, you could feel the soft innocence and naivety of young love. The latter version, on the other hand, demonstrates the strength and cultivation of that love after being exposed to many hurdles. Additionally, both songs are slightly distinct in terms of musical genre. Love Story from 2008 seems more like a country song, making us feel nostalgic. The re-recorded version is more modern and has a bit of pop flavor, which is refreshing. This is all thanks to the way Taylor puts emphasis on certain lines while singing, such as “Cause you, Romeo, I was a scarlet letter.”
At the end of the day, no matter how different the re-recorded album may sound, these songs will take us back in time and allow us to re-experience our past, while also creating new memories.