As of Friday, Oct.27, Taylor Swift released her re-recorded version of her hit pop album: 1989. Previously released on Oct. 27, 2014, it instantly became a world-renowned success and my favorite album. The album was on the top of the Billboard 200 chart for 11 weeks, was the highest-grossing tour in 2015, and sold over 10 million copies. Not only that, but had three number-one singles: “Shake It Off”, “Blank Space”, and “Bad Blood.” Still, after all of her old music was sold to an outside company, Swift decided to re-record her albums, and label them as “Taylor’s Version” as well as including multiple new songs called “vault tracks.”
Vault tracks are previously recorded songs from that specific album, yet were never released. With that being said, 1989 has five “vault tracks.” These new songs are named: “Say Don’t Go,” “Slut!” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Suburban Legends,” and “Is It Over Now?”
“Now That We Don’t Talk,” is only two minutes and 25 seconds long, one of Swift’s shortest songs. Yet, it is one of my favorites. This song discusses the moment when you know nothing about a person you once loved. It hits home for many, with lyrics such as, “From the outside, it looks you’re trying lives on” and, “Remind myself the more I gave, you’d want me less.” It’s almost as if Swift is looking in on ex-best friendship, with pain, yet knowing it truly is for the best that they don’t talk.
“Slut!” is completely different as it is one of the slowest songs on the re-record and the only love song. The melody is slow and tempotic, with incredible lyricism. Swift directly addresses her own life of constantly being in the spotlight, her relationships always being judged. Instead of taking these comments to heart, she uses them to fuel a love no one can break. So whatever people say, use it against them and make it a positive is the main message of the song.
“Say Don’t Go” is about a relationship in peril. With a soft melody at the beginning, the song then turns into a pop song. One of the most popular lyrics is “Why’d you have to lead me on? Why’d you have to twist the knife?” as it encapsulates a one-sided relationship. This liaison is always on shaky ground, always on the brink of someone leaving. Although not my favorite on my first listen, it soon became a repeat in my car. It is catchy, relatable, and already on Billboard’s top 100.
The fourth vault track on the album is “Suburban Legends”. At first glance, the song is just a so-called “dancing song,” but after learning the meaning of the song, it creates a new reality. Swift is communicating about a side story of a relationship, never the urban legend as some are. Each line in the song expresses the reality, with a quote saying, “I broke my own heart because you were too polite to do it,” stating this relationship was always bound to fail, but was successful in the moment.
Many Swifties think that “Is It Over Now?” is about Swift’s relationship with pop star, Harry Styles. With lyrics such as, “If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her.” Us listeners can presume it’s about their former relationship. In my opinion, this song is one of the most entertaining and fun to sing along to. With a great beat and amazing lyrics, it is a fan favorite. Another powerful quote is, “You search in every model’s bed for something greater,” and “I think about jumping off of very tall somethings just to see you come running.” Both of these lyrics tell us a story, about her relationship and how she would do just about anything to get his attention, always wondering if the relationship was over or not.
Now, almost three weeks since the re-record was released, I would have to say that it is my favorite album plus vault tracks to date. Although still very similar to the previously recorded 1989, it has a new character that can once again make it a hit album in 2023. With all of the vault songs being catchy, relatable, and having powerful lyricism, they all still fit into the 1989 era.
