After Taylor Swift’s masters were sold without her consent, she discovered a loophole that would allow her to own her music: if she re-recorded it, she could re-release it and own it. That is what she did. Anything with (Taylor’s Version) next to it means that she owns it.
With the re-records, Swift has decided to include “From The Vault” tracks – songs she did not originally have on the album but were written for it. On 1989 (Taylor’s Version), there are five.
The re-records were mostly the same, except with more mature vocals. I only noticed significant differences on four songs.
The harmonies in the bridge of “Blank Space” were much more present, which I love.
The electric guitar intro in “Style” is different, but, unpopular opinion, I like it! I think it works well with her mature vocals and demonstrates her new maturity.
The production of “Shake It Off” is different and I enjoy the song now. I would often skip it on the original album, but I won’t be skipping anymore. Her tone on the bridge is fabulous.
One of my favorite songs from the original album was “I Know Places” and the re-record made a fantastic song even better. I didn’t think that was possible but I was proven wrong.
All of these songs, due to minor differences, will take some getting used to, but I will be listening to 1989 (Taylor’s Version) exclusively from now on.
I love all of the vault tracks, and it would be extremely hard to pick a favorite, so I won’t.
It was very obvious to me that Jack Antinoff produced said songs, since their style was reminiscent of Midnights. Many older swifties recall thinking Midnights was a grown up version of 1989 when it first came out, so this made sense, but I still felt like the musical style belonged on Midnights, not 1989.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the vault tracks, and all of the originals. There is not a single skip on this album.
The vault tracks, along with those on Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) are extremely relatable and very detailed. She has always had relatable songs, but I think the vault tracks from her past two re-recordings are the most relatable by far.
Additionally, the vault tracks dive deeper into her past relationships and explore musical choice Swift was unsure of during her original switch to the pop genre. Her lower register is prominent and beautiful throughout all of the vault tracks.
“S——!”
Holy heck. This is like a mix between “False God” and “The Archer”. It is similar to “Blank Space” in the regard that it is acknowledging what the media thinks of her and playing off of that. It is not the upbeat, “Dress” style song many were expecting, but I still love it.
Favorite lyrics: “In a world of boys, he’s a gentleman,” and the patriarchy callout, “I’ll pay the price, you won’t”
Say Don’t Go
I can be a little slow to understand, so the first time i heard this I thought she was begging him say something and not just leave. On the second listen, pacing my room at midnight, I realized she just wanted him to tell her not to go. I know that’s obvious, but the lack of punctuation got me.
Knowing that meaning I was stunned.
This song is made for anyone who has been in a situationship and will cause the emotions from that to resurface.
Favorite lyrics: “And I’m yours, but you’re not mine”
Now That We Don’t Talk
On voice memos published to the music page of tumblr, taylor says this is her shortest songs, but it definitely packs a punch and i would have to agree. The cutoff ending leaves one pondering and works so well.
This is the vault track that is most obviously about Harry Styles. The second verse says “you grew you hair long.” I think this song has my favorite chorus ever. It’s so cathartic to sing if you have ever been in any somewhat similar relationship.
Favorite lyrics: “You part the crowd like the Red Sea”
Suburban Legends
I could write an essay analyzing this song, but I won’t. The gist is suburban is a smaller version of an urban legend, something that is known but untrue. Also, this entire song is saying how their relationship was just a side plot in the story of their lives.
I cannot stop thinking about the lyrics “I broke my own heart ‘cause you were too polite to do it.”
Favorite lyrics: “You were so magnetic, it was almost obnoxious,” and, of course, “I broke my own heart ‘cause you were too polite to do it”
Is It Over Now?
Fantastic closer, not just because of the title, but as a message. This song feels like a continuation of “Question…?” from Midnights. Considering many thought the latter was about Styles, that would make sense.
I could also write an essay about this song.
It has callbacks to “Clean” in the first verse and “Out Of The Woods” in the second and bridge. Following the reference to “Out Of The Woods,” she sings “Blue dress on a boat” which references an infamous picture of her leaving a party she and Styles attended together during their on-and-off again relationship. The pre-chorus is made for anyone questioning their feelings and the feelings of their person.
The line “if she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her” caught me off guard the first 10 times I listened to it and left my jaw on the floor.
Favorite lyrics: “Your new girl is my clone,” the relatable “I think about jumping off of a very tall something’s just to see you come running and say the one thing I’ve been wanting, but no,” and, to no one’s surprise, “If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her”
