Taylor Swift’s re-recording of her album, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” debuted on November 12th, and thank god it did. I and millions of others have been vaunting down the days to this release, and as always she did not disappoint and hit us all with the unexpected.
Starting with the last track, the ten minute version of her masterpiece “All Too Well”, this song was possibly the most anticipated by “Swifties” and the end product did not disappoint. The song is a raw ball of emotion, she truly outdid herself with this song. Describing the tumultuous relationship she had with an older man at age 20 and how he didn’t show up to her 21st birthday party. In my opinion, one of the most soul crushing song lyrics of all time came from this song, “The idea you had of me, who was she?” Her ability to perfectly express her emotions through songs is such a gift.
The rest of the album was compromised of the 16 original songs, and 14 new from the vault. The re-recording is done in such meticulous detail, that unless you are a die-hard “Swiftie” you might struggle to place any differences between the old version and Taylor’s version. However, I am a die-hard “Swiftie” and proud, I have been dissecting the album since its release and have found the music to be slightly different and Swift’s vocals are so much crisper.
There is one exception to this, the song “Girl at home” got a complete makeover, this was not originally a fan favourite. But, with the new synth beat behind it the old song has been transformed into something magical and almost unrecognisable.
The album, which originally came out almost a decade ago, transports fans back into the heartbreak Swift was experiencing at this time, reportedly due to her breakup with actor, Jake Gyllenhaal. She has always been a magician when it comes to her lyrics, I’ve never encountered an artist who’s pain I feel as much as Taylor Swift. She truly is one of a kind. Taylor Swift has done something incredible, she took an already amazing album and made it one hundred times better.
Please, where possible, when streaming her music look out for the songs which have (Taylor’s Version) beside them and stream that version instead of the original. The parentheses mean that Swift owns those songs, she was unable to but the masters to her original songs so therefore is going through the process of re-recording.
Whilst it is awful she cannot get the rights to her own original songs, I am glad she has started re-recording, as “Red” has now given me the best song to cry to in the shower- “All Too Well” ten minute version. And a new hatred for condescending men, being performative feminists and gaslighting their much younger girlfriend.
On that note, I’ve got my pitchfork ready, Jake Gyllenhaal- I’m coming for you.
Kate Harkin 
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