Taylor Swift’s re-recording of her fifth album “1989” is set to be released Oct. 27, exactly nine years after the first release date of “1989.” The original recording has been one of the most successful of Swift’s albums featuring well-known songs like “Shake It Off,” “New Romantics” and “Style.”
For Swift, the album was a huge shift in direction. As a country singer, now gone pop star, her change of genres shook fans all over. Swift’s album previous to “1989,” “Red,” had a few hints of pop with songs like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “22,” while still keeping true to her country roots.
Many fans were in full support of Swift’s career and the album became a hit. “1989” took you to the big city with its song “Welcome to New York,” and that theme was persistent in her wardrobe choices and stage sets. Swift rocked an iconic bob with side bangs in the era; she recreated the look for the cover of the re-record.
Swift first began re-recording her albums after Scooter Braun, an American music executive and business magnate, bought the first six in 2020. Swift tried her best to get full ownership of her albums but failed. However, according to Linkedin, since she has written the songs to her first six albums, Swift has the “sync rights” to any songs she has written.
For Swift, this means she can re-record and make a profit off her albums while avoiding copyright interference. Swift has re-recorded three of her stolen albums so far, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” “Red (Taylor’s Version)” and “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”
Many students, like second-year sociology major Paris Johnson and first-year psychology major Avery Miller are avid “Swifties” who see Swift as a role model. For these fans and many others who make up her fanbase, Swift is an empowering figure.
“She is true to herself,” said Johnson. “I love that she is so confident. Seeing her own her songs makes me feel like I can do whatever I want to do, be myself and do anything that a man can do.”
Miller also mentioned how she felt about Swift taking back her music, saying she grew up listening to the artist and has watched her struggle to own her music.
“She gets to fully own that and we get to fully support that,” said Miller.
With the release date right around the corner, students are ready to celebrate another album being taken back by Swift. Johnson will be planning a listening party. Ash Homme, a first-year biology major, plans to sit back and listen.
“I don’t have any exciting plans for that day, but I think I’m just going to sit, listen and enjoy when the album is released,” said Homme.
Students aren’t just looking forward to the singing and dancing, because with a re-record comes the thrill of going back in time and hearing your favorite songs as if for the first time again.
“I’m most excited to hear the song ‘Clean,’” said Miller. “I think it’s one of her most impactful songs and to hear her older voice sing is going to be an emotional moment.”
“For ‘1989,’ I’m excited for ‘How You Get The Girl.’ I love that song, I’m a big advocate for it. It relates a lot to my life currently in a way,” said Johnson.
“1989 (Taylor Version)” is more than just an album to these listeners. It’s empowerment, inspiration and a way to support their favorite artist.
