April 9 was the day Taylor Swift released her first re-recorded album after the stolen masters incident, which I chronicled here. And because I was only 9 years old at the date of the album’s original release, my tastes have evolved… or so I think.
After a nostalgia-filled full listen of the Fearless (Taylor’s Version), I decided to review the album. All of the songs will be linked with the new lyric video she made for each song, which are usually chock-full of Fearless-era photos and videos. BRB, sobbing.
This song definitely is as floaty as I remember. She holds out or emphasizes the word fearless much more in certain parts, which made me a bit misty-eyed as she really is taking the reins and owning her art. The lyric video photo she uses also captures her true bliss swinging around her bouncy curls. It was the perfect reintroduction into this era of her music.
When I first heard this song, I was five solid years away from my first day in high school. It made me so excited for these experiences! And now, a month from graduating college, I feel wistful for all the little moments I’m now appreciating. The line, “this is life before you know who you’re gonna be” hit home because I still don’t know if I know exactly who that is at almost 22. It also made me really miss my best friend as Taylor sings beautifully about meeting her BFF Abigail, and the photo montage is so sweet.
This song was so well-done in the re-record… but who is shocked by this?! Not me. All the photos in the lyric video are fan meet & greets, which makes it feel like we’re the true loves of her life. I, again, needed tissues. It kept the same magic, but she definitely sounds like she’s smiling as she’s singing it, which is a theme throughout my listening.
I have absolutely always adored this song, mainly for her little giggle within it. Even Taylor’s laugh has evolved over time, and it feels more joyous. There is also more pronounced twangy guitar, which is a refreshing change of pace from folklore and evermore.
In my 9-year-old days, this was definitely a favorite cry song. I don’t think anything will be different, based on my first listen of this. The lyric video imagery and color scheme is also sad and dreamy. In the last repetition of “I’m not a princess,” she changes the line from “this ain’t A fairytale” to “this ain’t OUR fairytale” which was WOAH.
I knew this one would be a straight blast from the past. Oh my gosh, I couldn’t love it anymore if I tried. The photo of Taylor in the lyric video also gives me life in her drum major costume. I will be using my hairbrush as a microphone ASAP to this re-record.
The feature on this song has remained timeless in the Swiftie universe, and I’m grateful for that. The simple strumming feels dreamier. To die for.
I used to scream this at the top of my lungs. The “and you might think I’m bulletproof, but I’m not” hit deep. The “tell me why” is powerful and imploring. I’m obsessed. I also love how she emphasizes “daaaAAay.”
This lyric video is reminiscent of folklore and evermore, which threw me for a loop. She’s still breathy which is beautiful all on its own, but the guitars and violin also really shine in this version.
Although I still can’t fully relate to the budding relationship Taylor sings about, I fell hard for her vocals in this song. She definitely holds onto the “yoOOuu” in “that’s the way I loved you,” which brought a big smile to my face.
The visuals in this song definitely matched the beat overlaid with old photos. The guitar in this song… so good. It wasn’t a song that usually stood out to me, but I’m relearning what songs resonate with me!
This song made me homesick in a major way because of the beautiful home video that captures Taylor’s true spirit as she grows up. It’s a truly special thing to watch your favorite artist grow and evolve, but this brought a whole new meaning because it was silly childhood footage. I wept.
This song has been hitting harder for me as I near graduation. Hearing Taylor sing “but I believe in whatever you do” may need to be my new alarm.
This song is fulllll of country Taylor’s twang. It needs no other introduction; if you haven’t heard this song ever, now is the time to listen.
Still slow and haunting, this ballad is untouchable in terms of how much I like it still.
If I thought I loved this song before in the initial re-record, the piano makes it so much more perfect. Her vocals are so raw and poignant.
As I’m writing this, there’s an excess of rain in the forecast so this will be in the soundtrack for staring out the window, which coincidentally is the lyric video imagery.
This song has never been a favorite of mine, I will admit. But hearing it again may change my mind at least a little. The visual for the song is such a cool photo of her though.
Taylor loves to sing about rain! She’s asking for the person she loves to not leave yet because all she needs is what’s on the other side of the door. With classy black and white performance photos, this is a rediscovered favorite.
This song still contains as much as whimsy and wonder, but she sounds like she’s thinking about her current partner which is awe-inducing.
Vault Songs
This was the first vault song I got to hear. It teleported me to her era of music-making. I think Maren was a perfect addition to this floaty, reminiscent track about cleaning yourself from people who once meant so much to you.
This song has been coursing through my head immediately upon listening to it. It’s said to be about Joe Jonas, so it brings me back to wondering how Taylor would write a song that could make us all feel like we were wronged by a Jo Bro… because that was the ultimate dream. It’s so catchy!
This is one of the slower vault songs, but those are needed to break up some of the more upbeat tracks. I haven’t listened to it enough to have a strong opinion, but as a newer TS track to my ears, I will commit it to memory dutifully.
This is my favorite vault song, without a doubt. I love Keith Urban too and I love how full circle it is because Taylor was an opener for Keith during her original Fearless era. It’s perfectly twangy.
This ballad is beautiful and builds to something somewhat unexpected, in my opinion. I am thoroughly surprised how she continues to write music that leaves her listeners in shock and awe. She’s incredible… and so is this song.
With a lower register and floaty vocals, this song is a sleeper for me, meaning I think how much I like it will sneak up on me in future listen-throughs.
If you’re looking for some country tracks to twirl in “your best dress, fearless” to, this re-record may be perfect for you. My 9-year-old and my 22-year-old self are so thrilled with this album.