Swift’s Nostalgic Journey Back to 1989
Taylor Swift is at it again, taking us back to the future with her re-recorded 1989 (Taylor’s Version), set to drop on October 27. Swift couldn’t contain her excitement, tweeting, “Surprise!! 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is on its way to you!” She confessed that this album has transformed her life in numerous ways and is her most cherished re-record to date. Why? Because the “5 From The Vault tracks are so insane,” she exclaimed, “I can’t believe they were ever left behind. But not for long!”
1989: A Pop Revolution
Swift’s fifth studio album, 1989, significantly departed from her country roots, embracing a full-fledged pop sound. With chart-toppers like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Style,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “Bad Blood,” the album became a sensation. Max Martin, the maestro behind many pop hits, played a vital role in crafting the record. Watch the classic video for “Shake it Off” below:
Interestingly, 1989 also sparked a debate on streaming services’ compensation models. Swift and her then-label Big Machine held the album from Spotify for nearly three years, protesting the platform’s rates. The album’s success was crowned with Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2016 Grammys.
Re-Recording Saga: A Swift Recap
Swift’s re-recording journey began with the controversial acquisition of her masters by Scooter Braun in 2019. She embarked on a mission to re-record and re-release her catalog, starting with Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in April 2021 and followed by Red (Taylor’s Version) in November. The updated Red even featured a 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” accompanied by a short film directed by Swift herself. Watch below:
New Material: Swift Never Stops
While revisiting her early work, Swift hasn’t slowed down in releasing new material. After the twin releases of evermore and folklore in 2020, she announced her 10th album Midnights, which debuted atop the Billboard 200. Swift surprised fans with seven additional “3am tracks” just hours after Midnights hit streaming services.
Explore more pop news from Mix 105.1, Salt Lake City, Utah’s home for Top 40 jams.
