On October 27, 2023, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released her fourth re-recorded album known as “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” The icon continues to make history, and in only one day, the album became the most-streamed of the year on Spotify. This made Swift the most-streamed artist in a single day in 15 years of the streaming service’s history. The album features all the songs from her old deluxe album and 5 previously unreleased songs from The Vault.
Traveling around the world on her famous “Eras Tour,” she announced the release of this album in LA, her last destination in the United States this year. She announced it would be released exactly nine years after the original album came out in 2014, which featured major hits like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” and “I Wish You Would.” When the album first came out, it completely changed her career and life. 1989, Taylor’s birth year, was a significant step in her becoming a star and features her feelings around love and heartbreak.
The newest updated album includes 21 tracks, with Kendrick Lamar featured on “Bad Blood.” It includes the new songs, “Slut!,” “Say Don’t Go,” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Suburban Legends,” and “Is It Over Now?”. These songs have all gotten positive reviews and have risen to some of her most listened-to music on Spotify.
Agreeing with this, her biggest fan, Senior Tess Green gave her input on the new songs. “Say Don’t Go is one of my favorites and I love the chorus to both that and ‘Slut.’ ‘Now That We Don’t Talk’ is also really good, but I still think Red has the best vault.” Tess and many others have found themselves enjoying the new music, but compared to earlier albums there are mixed feelings.
While most people enjoy listening to anything by Taylor Swift, some think her first songs and albums sound more appealing than her new and older voice. Senior Abby Nauyokas describes the “Taylors Version” of 1989 compared to the original one. “I like her older albums better, but I think it’s cool how she is continuing to make new music and expanding her genres.” While the album does feature five new songs, the majority has already been heard before which takes away from the new and exciting appeal.
Taylor Swift has become a role model to millions of people around the world. She is confident and expresses her core values of family and love for her fans. Her style of lyrics and personality allows her fans to feel inspired and moved. Her songs often feature events about her personal life including heartbreak, love, and overcoming struggles like adversity that are especially relatable for many other young girls. Particularly younger females can see a reflection of themselves in her work and it is for this reason that albums like 1989 touch so many people today.
