Most of us can probably remember memorizing all the words to “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, or dancing around while it played on a CD player or the radio. Now we get the chance to do that all over again, just this time we’re not elementary school, and we’re probably using a streaming service, like Spotify or Apple Music, instead of a CD player.
In June 2019 all of the music Taylor Swift had written and recorded were sold to Scooter Braun by her record label, Big Machine Records. That was not what Swift wanted. After hearing the news Swift let fans know that she intended on rerecording her first six albums starting in November 2020.
It’s been over 12 years since Taylor Swift released her second album Fearless, an album that would be named the number one album of 2009, and would win Swift 7 awards. Taylor Swift is starting her rerecording and reclaiming of her music with the single “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” originally on the iconic Fearless album.
The new version of the Romeo and Juliet themed love song has been out since February 12. I thought I couldn’t love this classic single more, but now I do. “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” is almost identical to the original. The main difference is the maturity in her voice. Swift, now 31, has grown a lot since releasing “Love Story” at just 18. Her breath control, annunciation and overall range is noticeably better, in my opinion.
Not only does she own this version of her high charting single, the version has much more “Taylor” in it. This time around instead of having background singers, Swift does all the background vocals herself, making it feel more uniquely hers.
Swift also chose a different band for this version. She decided she would have her touring band play the music in the studio because “they have spent a lot of years playing this song over and over again”. Everyone in her band, from the banjo player to the one on the drum set, doing an amazing job. I can tell they have mastered “Love Story.”
Besides “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” sounding perfect, it made me insanely nostalgic. Hearing my third grade theme song for the first time again as a college student was something I never thought I’d experience. It brought me back to a simpler time before pandemics, drama and deadlines. It reminded me how much I’ve grown in every way possible since the last time I heard Love Story for the first time.
If you’re looking to support a woman reclaiming her voice, or if you simply want to walk down memory lane, I would suggest “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” to anyone.