(Photo Manipulation by Nathan Rubin)
Content Warning: This article contains references to eating disorders.
Sold-out stadiums, a movie premiere and a hot new relationship have all brought the world’s attention to Taylor Swift. Yet her 14th studio album release and fourth re-recording, “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” outshine these dazzling accolades. Through brilliant lyricism and beautiful music, Swift reminded the world once again in this Oct. 27 release why she has achieved this colossal level of fame.
“To be perfectly honest, this is my most FAVORITE re-record I’ve ever done,” Swift wrote to her fans on Instagram after announcing her “1989” (2014) re-recording on Aug. 10. Known for being Swift’s first complete transition into modern-pop from country, this Grammy-Award-winning album is a fan favorite. The tracks of pop-perfection perfectly highlight the excitement of settling into your adult years, with all of the friendships, love and life lessons that come with it.
This particular re-recording has been garnering excitement for over two years since Swift released “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)” on Sept. 17, 2021, which skyrocketed in virality on TikTok. She then released “This Love (Taylor’s Version)” on May 6, 2022, which was used on the soundtrack of Amazon Prime’s 2022 adaptation of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (2009) by Jenny Han. Yet no amount of anticipation could have prepared fans for the sheer honesty and talent displayed in the full re-recording.
Containing 16 re-recordings of original tracks, five songs “From The Vault” and a special remix of “Bad Blood” (2015) featuring Kendrick Lamar, the record amounts to an impressive 22 tracks — a heavenly-sized collection for Swifties around the globe. While falling back in love with the original songs that brought an immense amount of fame to Swift would be easy, the previously unreleased vault songs steal the show on this album.
For each previous album re-recording, Swift has gifted fans with songs that did not make the original cut of the album. She explained on Instagram that she did not want to include too many breakup or slower songs on the original record.
“1989” perfectly captures the glitz and the glamor of being young and famous with a multitude of friends and a hefty paycheck, yet the vault songs reveal a darker, more heartbroken aspect of Swift’s life during that time. In the track titled “Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” Swift dives into the painful nature of unrequited love. While tracks like “Style” and “Wildest Dreams” display a fun and sexy side to a not-quite relationship, the vault song reveals the feelings of confusion and heartbreak Swift ultimately suffered from these situations.
Perhaps even more heartbreaking is Swift’s shattering of the confident and untouchable persona she has created during this current era. She sings of “rumors ’bout my hips and thighs” in “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” touching on the relentless nature of having the entire world as both your critic and surveyor.
In her 2020 documentary “Miss Americana,” Swift opened up about the eating disorder she suffered from during the years of “1989’s” release.
“If you’re thin enough, then you don’t have that ass that everybody wants, but if you have enough weight on you to have an ass, your stomach isn’t flat enough,” Swift said in the film. “It’s all just f****** impossible. I thought that I was supposed to feel like I was going to pass out at the end of a show, or in the middle of it.”
Swift’s ability to reflect on this challenge she faced nine years later now brings a fascinating element to the record. Her growth and recovery offer hope to fans who may be fighting similar battles.
Yet the power and positivity “1989” was originally known for is not lost on the new tracks, as Swift reclaims the power she holds over her own life in “Slut! (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault).” Swift touches again on the fierce judgment of the world that she dealt with in 2014 during the album’s original release, countering paparazzi criticisms with her journey of learning to tune out the noise and live her life however she desires.
“The sticks and stones they throw froze mid-air,” Swift sings in the vault song, making it clear that the judgment doesn’t bother her anymore.
Swift’s “Bad Blood” remix continues this note of positivity. An additional beat is layered onto the chorus, causing the track to surge with even more confidence and power. Swift’s mature vocals and more modern production only elevate her iconic track that dominated the charts.
Only Swift inhabits the ability to re-record previously released albums while simultaneously adding such extreme levels of change and improvement. She proves herself not only to be a musical genius but brilliant in the fields of re-branding and catering to a fanbase. Swift’s reclamation of the rights to her own music along with her brave decision to be raw and honest only further cement her legacy in the music industry.
If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at https://counseling.emory.edu/. You can reach the National Eating Disorders Association helpline at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. You can text the hotline at (800) 931-2237 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. You can call the hotline at (800) 931-2237 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Amanda Lerner (she/her) (27C) is from Roslyn, New York, and is planning on following a pre-med track. Outside of the Wheel she is involved in the Red Cross club, as well as Jewish life on campus. You can find her listening to Taylor Swift or forcing everyone to look at pictures of her dog.
