Reclaiming Her Narrative: A Review of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

Taylor Swift Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) Review: A Powerful Act of Reclamation

Introduction

Taylor Swift is no stranger to rewriting history. With her latest album, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), she continues her journey of reclaiming control over her music and legacy. Moving away from the formula set by her previous re-recordings, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version), Speak Now takes more liberties and introduces changes that go beyond being a mere carbon copy of the original.

A Bold Approach

In Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Swift changes lyrics and tracklists, while staying true to the spirit of the original album. The most striking change is the removal of the song “If This Was A Movie.” By releasing it as a standalone single, Swift makes her purpose clear: this is not just a formality to reclaim control of her old material. It is a project of empowerment, reaffirming her position as our generation’s finest songwriter and reminding us of her talent even at the young age of 20.

Another significant change comes with the track “Better Than Revenge.” Known for its controversial lyrics, Swift takes a risk by altering the original chorus lyric, which some fans have embraced as a symbol of empowerment. While the new lyric fits fine and maintains the head-banging energy of the track, it may not resonate with all listeners, potentially leading them back to the savage original.

A Personal Album

Speak Now holds a special place in Taylor Swift’s discography. It explores the journey of coming-of-age and Taylor’s rise to fame, addressing themes of manipulative relationships, loss of friends, and the infamous Kanye incident. These deeply personal songs, which have been cherished by fans for years, fostered a change in approach for the re-recordings.

Timeless Classics

The re-recordings of the songs in Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) largely stay faithful to the originals, making them nearly impossible to critique. However, what can be said is that these songs have not aged. Tracks like “Sparks Fly” and “Enchanted” still stand as gold-standard pop songs, while the haunting and epic “Haunted” and “Innocent” continue to give listeners goosebumps. The importance of hearing these songs sung by a more mature Taylor Swift, now in her thirties, cannot be understated.

Reclaiming Lyrics and Relationships

The re-recordings also provide an opportunity for Taylor Swift to reconsider and reclaim her lyrics and relationships. The track “Dear John” takes on a new meaning as Swift’s older voice adds wisdom to the song, exposing the flaws in her own lyrics without explicitly saying a word. As adults, we can now hear the red flags in the song, making it a powerful addition to Taylor’s body of work.

The Power of Vault Tracks

The inclusion of “vault tracks” in the re-recordings enriches the experience of listening to the album. These previously unreleased songs, dedicated to her younger self, showcase Taylor Swift’s early pop-punk influences. Songs like “Electric Touch” and “Castles Crumbling” prove prophetic of the sound she would later explore in albums like Reputation and beyond. The vault tracks serve as a reminder that Taylor Swift was destined for greatness from the beginning.

A Touching Dedication and a Second Wind

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is not just a rehash of the past; it is a touching dedication to Taylor’s 20-year-old self. It symbolizes her journey of growth and success. For those who grew up with this album, it is a privilege to see these flawless pop songs get a second wind. They continue to hold up as timeless classics that resonate just as strongly in 2023 as they did in 2010.

Conclusion

Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is a powerful act of reclamation. It empowers her to rewrite her own history and reaffirms her position as one of the finest songwriters of our generation. While the re-recordings may not deviate significantly from the originals, they offer an opportunity for fans to experience these beloved songs in a new light. This album serves as a testament to Taylor Swift’s decades-long domination in the music industry and solidifies her status as a true pop icon.

Lucy Harbron. “Taylor Swift Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) review: Taylor Swift takes another powerful act of reclamation.” The New York Times, 7 July 2023. nytimes.com/music/taylorswift/speaknow/taylorsversion/musicreview/albumreview/popmusic.