A Deep Dive Into (Taylor’s Version)

Sana Butt | Writer

Photo Credit: Jovan Vasiljević | Unsplash 

Taylor Swift, an American singer-songwriter, is often referred to in the music industry as a phenomenal lyricist with several notable albums throughout the years. 

In 2020, Swift fought to own the original recordings of her songs but ultimately lost the fight when they were sold without her consent by Big Machine Records founder, Scott Borchetta. He worked closely with Swift for 12 years, after signing her in 2005 when she was 15 years old.

Borchetta eventually sold Swift’s lifeworks to Scooter Braun, who is an American businessman, record executive, and former talent manager. (Braun has recently stepped down from music management, cutting ties between his remaining famous clients such as Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, and Ariana Grande.) 

Swift has re-recorded four of her hit albums called ‘Fearless’ (Taylor’s Version), ‘Red’ (Taylor’s Version), ‘Speak Now’ (Taylor’s Version), and ‘1989’ (Taylor’s Version) with Republic Records. (Taylor’s Version) refers to songs that Swift has full ownership of after her master recordings of six albums were sold by Big Machine Records to Braun.

Swift tries to make her re-records as fun as possible for the fans despite all the hardships she has faced in the process. Her fans called “swifties” honor her by not listening or purchasing her stolen music. Swift even releases in each re-recording “vault tracks” which are never-before released tracks that were written at the same time of each album.

Furthermore, she also released five original studio albums called, ‘“Lover”’, “‘Folklore”’, “‘Evermore”’, “‘Midnights”’, and “‘The Tortured Poets Department”’. As well as five extended plays or (EPS), and four live albums. 

Now only two (Taylor’s Version) remain to be re-recorded; “‘Taylor Swift’/’Debut”’ and “‘Reputation”’. As a massive Taylor Swift fan myself, I am so excited to listen to both re-recordings and to enter the glorious eras of both album’s distinct aesthetics.