Taylor Swift’s Album Re-Release Is Going All Too Well: Red (Taylor’s Version) Review
Taylor Swift released Red (Taylor’s Version) on Friday, November 12th. It was the highly anticipated second album in her series of re-recordings. The album was met with high praise, containing both the original songs and new tracks, as well as a short film directed by Taylor Swift herself.
By: Ananya Chittibabu, Anya Patri, and Mallika Saoji
On November 12th, Taylor Swift released Red (Taylor’s Version), not only containing the re-recorded songs from the original Red album but also “From the Vault” tracks, allowing her fans to listen to unreleased songs from the Red era. Why is Taylor Swift re-recording some of her albums? To put it simply, she is re-recording them to have ownership over her work. Currently, Big Machine Records has ownership over Taylor Swift’s first six albums, and the re-recordings are her way of reclaiming her discography. Red (Taylor’s Version) is the second in this series of re-recordings, following the release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in April 2021. All of her re-recorded albums carry the phrase “(Taylor’s Version)” after them, clearly showing that she, and no one else, owns her work!
The re-recordings of the original songs on Red and its deluxe version were done really well, as they stay true to the original tracks. They still carry the feelings of that time and are bolstered by Taylor Swift’s better-developed vocals and sound. The entire album is incredible. Songs like “Red (Taylor’s Version),” “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” and “Come Back… Be Here (Taylor’s Version)” are meaningful and full of the emotions of a coming-of-age breakup and finding yourself again. The other upbeat songs, such as “22 (Taylor’s Version),” “Treacherous (Taylor’s Version),” and “Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version)” are happy and light-hearted, creating a nice contrast in the album between sad and joyful. Taylor Swift is a lyrical genius, weaving poetic lines and emotional bridges into songs that all portray a specific narrative. Each song on Red (Taylor’s Version) tells a different story, relating to the different emotions and phases in Taylor’s life and evokes emotion and memories, both happy and sad, which is part of what makes this album so great. Her lyrics relate both to those reeling from the sadness of separation and the realization that comes from stepping back and taking a look at something that seemed great in the moment, as well as those who are picking up the pieces from this hurt and starting anew. The “From the Vault” tracks are wonderful as well and add a whole new element to the story told in this album. Below are more in-depth reviews of the “From the Vault” songs.
“Run(feat. Ed Sheeran) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
“Run”, featuring Ed Sheeran, is about two people in love fantasizing about escaping reality together. It’s very obvious throughout the song that the couple in question is being scrutinized by the speaker (Taylor’s) friends who think that she is moving too fast in the relationship. The song is very soft spoken which contrasts the lyrics which detail a very passionate forbidden relationship. It’s definitely a fan favorite from the vault, and it adds on beautifully to the rest of the original Red album.
Favorite lyrics
Anya: “I could see this view a hundred times
Pale blue sky reflected in your eyes”
Ananya: “Darling, let’s run
Run from it all
We can go where our eyes can take us
Go where no one else is”
Mallika: “There’s a heart on your sleeve
I’ll take it when I leave
And hold it for you”
“Forever Winter (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
Forever Winter is an emotional song about mental health and sucide. It’s from the perspective of a friend that is watching a loved one struggle with their mental health, and represents the desperation they feel trying to convince the other that they are loved and cared for. This song sounds so lighthearted and happy but the lyrics have a much deeper meaning. This song has touched many fans that are struggling with mental health issues and has quickly become a fan favorite. It’s definitely one of the saddest songs that Taylor has written but one of the most profound,
Favorite lyrics
Anya: “If I was standin’ there in your apartment
I’d take that bomb in your head and disarm it”
Ananya: “Too young to know it gets better
I’ll be summer sun for you forever”
Mallika: “I pull at every thread, tryna solve the puzzles in his head”
“Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
Babe is actually a song that was released before Taylor re-recorded Red. Taylor wrote the song alongside the others and it was supposed to be on the original Red album but didn’t make the cut in the end. She later gave the band Sugarland the rights to record their own version of the song and it was released in 2018 with Taylor doing background vocals. The song is about being cheated on in a relationship and the feelings that come with it. Taylor talks about the promises her partner made and how they broke them when they decided to cheat on her. She also talks about how she’s never going to take him back, and that they are never ever going to get back together. This song touches back to her country roots and is one of the most country sounding songs on the album. Though it discusses a sad topic the song is really upbeat and sounds happy. It’s deceiving.
Favorite lyrics
Anya: You broke the sweetest promise that you never should have made
Ananya: “Big mistake, broke the sweetest promise
That you never should have made”
Mallika: “We’re a wreck, you’re the wrecking ball”
“All Too Well (10 minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
All Too Well (10 minute Version) was one of the most anticipated songs from the vault and it lived up to all the hype. All Too Well was originally 10 minutes long but when she was putting the album together she had to cut the song down five minutes because ten minutes is absurdly long for a song. This 10 minute Version is the original pre-cut song that she recorded. It tells a story of a passionate and fast-paced relationship that comes to a heartbreaking end. However, the decision is one-sided and the speaker (Taylor) talks about the heartbreak and reflects back on the relationship all while she is trying to pick herself back up. The original song is considered to be one of the most heart wrenching break up songs ever and the ten-minute version allows you to bask in that sadness for an extra five minutes, and has already become a fan favorite after only being out for a week. It’s also one of the best songs on the album to scream-sing too, or just cry to, whatever floats your boat. Taylor also released a 13 minute short film to go along with the song, and we highly recommend you watch it. The song is also the longest song to chart at #1 in history.
Favorite lyrics
Anya: “And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?
Just between us, did the love affair maim you too?”
Ananya: “And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of being honest”
Mallika: “‘Cause there we are again in the middle of the night
We’re dancing ’round the kitchen in the refrigerator light”
“I Bet You Think About Me (feat. Chris Stapelton) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
This song is also a break up song but it’s much more upbeat and happy. The song embodies the “we’ve broken up but I’m over it and dont care anymore” attitude. While other songs on Red are heart-wrenching, this one is upbeat; she’s gotten over the relationship and is in a good place. It also has a music video which is really interesting and digs deeper into the meaning of the song.
Favorite lyrics
Anya: “I bet you couldn’t believe
When you realized I’m harder to forget than I was to leave
Ananya: “Chasin’ make-believe status, last time you felt free
Was when none of that s*** mattered ’cause you were with me”
Mallika: “But you know what they say, you can’t help who you fall for,
And you and I fell like an early spring snow”
“Nothing New (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
Nothing New is a contemplative song featuring indie artist Phoebe Bridgers. It touches on the feeling of uncertainty in the music industry and of no longer appealing to the public. Taylor has often mentioned how she reinvents her persona with every new album, and this song displays the fear and insecurity that comes with constantly reworking who she is in order to entertain. Phoebe Bridgers is a much younger artist who’s critically acclaimed album Punisher was nominated for a Grammy. Her discography is often composed of dreamy vocals and stream-of-consciousness lyricism about mental health, which is reflected in the soft and introspective nature of Nothing New. This is a great song to listen to if you’re in the middle of an existential crisis and you feel like you’re growing up too quickly.
Favorite Lyrics:
Anya: “Lord, what will become of me
Once I’ve lost my novelty?”
Ananya: “How can a person know everything
At eighteen, but nothin’ at twenty-two?
And will you still want me when I’m nothin’ new?”
Mallika: “And I wake up in the middle of the night
It’s like I can feel time moving”
“Better Man (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
Better Man is a mix of country and pop, reflecting the genre change of Taylor Swift’s music. It is a look back at a toxic relationship and the feeling of sorrow and loss afterwards. Eventually, it displays the acceptance of the past and regret for how the relationship progressed. This song is nostalgic and has a lot of the same country style as her previous albums. Before her re-release of Red in 2021, this song was actually covered by Little Big Town, a country band, in 2017 and it actually won a CMA award for country music. Fans have known about this song for a while, and Taylor’s rendition on the album did not disappoint.
Favorite Lyrics:
Anya: “I hold onto this pride because these days, it’s all I have
And I gave to you my best and we both know you can’t say that”
Ananya: “ know I’m probably better off all alone
Than needing a man who could change his mind at any given minute”
Mallika: “I know why we had to say goodbye like the back of my hand”
“Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
Message In A Bottle is such a fun song to listen to, with an upbeat tempo, happy lyrics, and a catchy melody that stays stuck in your head. It is about having new feelings for someone and not being able to convey it to them, and details the feeling of new beginnings and being in love. This song is a quintessential Taylor Swift pop song, and it has a lot of the elements of popular 2012 songs. All in all, it’s fairly generic but still an enjoyable song to listen to when you’re feeling happy.
Favorite Lyrics:
Anya: “I became hypnotized
By freckles and bright eyes
Tongue tied”
Ananya: “Cause you could be the one that I love
I could be the one that you dream of”
Mallika: “And I became hypnotized
By freckles and bright eyes”
“The Very First Night (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”
The Very First Night looks back on the positive parts of a relationship after the breakup. It is a very nostalgic and wistful song, and it reminisces about missing the good aspects of a relationship only when it’s gone. The sad parts of the song are juxtaposed by the upbeat and rhythmic melody, which creates a feeling of being swept away by young love. It’s a great song to listen to when driving or in your car, and it gives off an early 2012 vibe which is great when you’re feeling nostalgic.
Favorite Lyrics:
Anya: “I’d write this in the sky
I miss you like it was the very first night”
Ananya: “Not tryin’ to fall in love, but we did like children runnin’
Back then we didn’t know we were built to fall apart”
Mallika: “I wish I could fly
I’d pick you up and we’d go back in time”
Our Favorite Songs from the Album
Anya: All Too Well (10 Minutes Version), State of Grace, and Treacherous
Ananya: All Too Well (10 Minutes Version), Nothing New, Holy Ground, Sad Beautiful Tragic (I love the entire album)
Mallika: Everything Has Changed, All Too Well (10 Minutes Version), Better Man, and Treacherous