In Memorium: Taylor's Versions
the good, the bad, and the ugly
And that Swiftie is ME(!).
In all seriousness, this was very thrilling. I was in the middle of PROPERTY and about to start my CONTRACTS essay, when she published her letter. So, you’re welcome, in a way.
Taylor basically saying “you just had to be there” for reputation is vindicating to us all, I’m sure. Or at least, it’s very vindicating to me. And while I would still like to listen to those vault tracks, it’s nice that she knew when to call it. Perfection can’t be recreated and she knew when to pull the plug. Thanks, gf. And lost in the discussion is the fact that she really could’ve just sat on this for a while and churned out the two remaining (Taylor’s Versions), made millions, and then make it out like a bandit. And who am I, if not exploited?
But about those vault tracks…?
And so, to cap off this exciting journey (no longer do we have to say “ME! is the first song she owns!!!”), here is a list of Taylor’s Versions that were unforgivably bad, to me.
But first, I know I give Taylor a lot of shit all the time, but I actually was pretty loyal to Taylor’s Versions. I had to redownload all of the original albums, sans a few songs, and I legitimately have not listened to the original RED in full since 2021 probably. It is really jarring how young she sounds, especially on baby “All Too Well.” Jake Gyllenhaal, I’m hiding under your bed.
I reworked my Taylor playlist to include the original versions, sans a few songs. Here are the Taylor’s Versions I’m keeping (not including vault tracks, obviously):
Fearless: actually keeping all of it except for baby Fearless
Speak Now: Mine, Back to December, Never Grow Up, Innocent, If This Was a Movie, Superman (I will go so far to say this was the best re-recorded song)
RED: none (technically Safe & Sound and Eyes Open but they’re not part of RED except they kind of are ish)
1989: Wonderland
It just feels really nice having her back in my library:
Better Than Revenge
This is less about sonically and more so that changing the lyric was a dumb move. Die, you stupid moth.
Style
The thing is, “Style” is one of the best pop songs ever created and then “Style (Taylor’s Version)” is…that. “Style” is so cinematic and grand and lively; the original “take me home” is so euphoric. And then “Style (Taylor’s Version)” is so…muted? Flat? Blah? Bad? Everything also just sounds pitched down a bit, which is so odd.
Holy Ground
I don’t even know what she did to her but this might be the most egregious Taylor’s Version. The song sounds slower and she sounds bored and annoyed. Which I am too! For having to listen to Taylor’s Version! I’m not sure if it was lost in the sound mixing but in general across the board on all re-records, the instruments just sound quieter and duller.
Shake It Off
Sounds like it was recorded in a fishbowl. It does not make me want to shake it to the fella over there with the hella good hair.
Enchanted
It really is all about those hard C’s (the playful conversation starts, counter all your quick remarks, like passing notes in secrecy).
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Gloria, I simply don’t believe you when you say you don’t hear a difference.
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Sparks Fly
The spark was gone on the re-record, if you will. It’s less ridiculous, to me, compared to “Holy Ground” but she was plagued with the same issue. Maybe because Jake Owen is lowkey a loser now and she’s embarrassed about it.
Everything Has Changed
If you listen to the two versions back-to-back, I have absolutely zero idea what Ed Sheeran thought he was doing. The re-record is crazy.
Re-recording era was fun! Something was in the air during RED (Taylor’s Version) and it was a really nice time in my life. Wanna hear something lowkey poetic? Fearless (Taylor’s Version) came out the week of my LSAT and then this entire saga was nicely wrapped up when I’m studying for the bar.
Eras Tour 🤝 law school. Re-records 🤝 LSAT to bar exam.
Thank god it’s over now, though. But really, we did get some fantastic, career-high songs from the vault, so here are my favorites (in no particular order):
Mr. Perfectly Fine
Nothing New
Babe
Better Man
The Very First Night
All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Electric Touch
Foolish One
Timeless
Say Don’t Go
Is It Over Now?
In terms of the re-records in general, from best to worst, I’d probably say:
Fearless
Speak Now
RED
1989
And for fun, from best to worst, re-record covers:
1989
Speak Now
RED
Fearless
And for even more fun, from best to worst, original covers, as a comparison:
RED
1989
Speak Now
Fearless
And for the most fun, from best to worst, ranking just the vaults:
RED
1989
Speak Now
Fearless
As for what’s next…if I were a betting gal (I’m not), Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) 20th anniversay release seems to be the consensus and perhaps reputation (from the vault) November 2027?
And then whatever is on that second piece of paper on her website.
Okay, I promise you’ll hear from me less and all the gossip sometime next week.