Let’s Party Like It's 1989
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Film Is Everything and More
A month after singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” she announced her “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” on Aug. 9, 2023. The album dropped on Oct. 27, 2023. It is her fourth re-recorded album with only “Reputation” and “Taylor Swift: Debut” remaining as solo Big Machine Records albums. The album consists of 21 tracks, 16 from the deluxe original version and 5 unreleased vault tracks. For many Swifties, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is the re-recording they have been anticipating the most. After releasing the re-recordings of “This Love” and “Wildest Dreams” a few months back, the whole album is finally here. The album broke Spotify's record for the most-screamed album in a single day. Each vault track has intriguing references to past relationships, along with the fun instruments and tunes Swift incorporated throughout the whole album.
The five vault tracks Swift released are titled: “Slut!” “Say Don’t Go,” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Suburban Legends” and “Is It Over Now?” “Slut!” immediately became one of the most anticipated songs when fans learned its name because they had no idea what to expect. Throughout the song, Swift embraces the world around her by using lyrics such as, “But if I’m all dressed up they might as well be lookin' at us/ And if they call me a slut, you know it might be worth it for once.” Swift uses the song as a way to call out the media for what they used to call her back in 2014. The repetition of lyrics, “Got love-struck all over my bed/ love to think you’ll never forget/ might as well be drunk in love” and the soft melody created by using synthesizers and gentle background vocals gives “Slut!” this magical allure. “Is It Over Now?” was another hit as fans quickly realized the song is about Harry Styles, Swift’s ex-boyfriend. The lyrics, “Blue dress on a boat” seem to be a reference to a viral picture of Swift on a boat sitting alone in a blue dress, allegedly taken right after her breakup with Styles. Another lyric that directed fan’s attention to Styles is, “Red blood, white snow” which seems to be a reference to the snowmobile accident Swift and Styles got into together. With the use of drums and electric guitars it is impossible not to tap your foot along to the catchy chorus, “Baby was it over when she laid down on your couch/ was it over when he unbuttoned my blouse?” Swift herself said she views “Is It Over Now?” as the sister songs to “Out Of The Woods” and “I Wish You Would.”
Every song on the album is a pop song, and with it are many fun instruments that emphasize the fun beats. “New Romantics (Taylor’s Version)” is arguably one of Swift’s most popular songs on the album. Throughout the song, she incorporates heavy synthesizers that pulsate along with the beat, making the song energizing and fun. The electric beat filled with drums and electric guitars makes it hard not to sing along to the tuneful chorus, “Cause baby, I could build a castle/ out of all the bricks they threw at me/ and every day is like a battle but every night with us is like a dream.” “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” is another one of those songs you just cannot get out of your head. The lively beat is created by drum kits and handclaps. The re-recorded songs sound almost identical to the previous albums besides the maturity and richness Swift’s voice now carries.
The album already has over 110 million streams in the U.S. “1989” marked Swift's official shift from country music to pop. The album is truly inspiring and represents the start of something new for Swift that eventually skyrocketed her career. The re-recording brought back these emotions of excitement for many Swifties. All that Ms. Swift has left to claim is her name and her reputation.
<Star Rating>
Vault Tracks: ★★★★★
Lyrics and Beats: ★★★★★
Instruments: ★★★★★
Comments