Taylor Swift was only 15 years old when she signed a 13-year old record deal with Big Machine Records, owned by Scott Borchetta. Scooter Braun bought the company in 2019, which meant the masters of Swift’s first six albums were taken away from her. They attempted to manipulate her with a deal so she could ‘earn’ back her masters, and for every new album she released she would be allowed to own one of her previous albums, which was unethical and Swift declined.
Swift instead decided to re-record her albums and was finally allowed to do so at the end of 2020, but this time she included the unreleased ‘From the Vault’ tracks, giving fans the opportunity to be immersed into a world where we were able to experience Taylor’s gut-wrenching teenage heartbreak. Swift’s mature and powerful vocals brought a new depth to her songs, adding layers of meaning, especially now that she “sends (Mr Perfectly Fine aka Joe Jonas) babies’ presents.”
Kelly Clarkson tweeted in 2019, urging Taylor to re-record her old albums and even suggested extra tracks, so we basically have Clarkson to thank for the ‘From the Vault’ tracks. Taylor openly discusses the importance and value of owning her own albums as her and the fans value the masterpieces that she has been writing since she was a teenager.
The nostalgia and sentiment behind her albums is also part of the motivation for swifties to hear Taylor’s stronger and improved vocals. One of my core memories was growing up screaming ‘You Belong With Me’ into a hairbrush, and her matured re-recording is still screamed by me. Back then, I looked forward to growing up as fast as possible to listen to “Fifteen” and so badly wanting to relate. I’ve now experienced the high school life that Swift sings about, gone through the painstaking heartbreak and am highly anticipating Red re-recording. With Red (Taylor’s Version), a much anticipated ‘10 minute version of All Too Well’ will be so casually cruel in the name of being honest.
Although some fans are disappointed with the subtle differences Swift has made in her songs, such as in You Belong with Me, from “I’m in the room” to “I’m in my room” in the re-recording, most fans appreciate these moments. Her pain can no longer be heard in “White Horse (Taylor’s Version)” but I love that she has moved past those heartbreaks and is able to sing these songs happily.
Swift has given younger artists advice to carefully negotiate contracts and in her original statement said “You deserve to own the art you make.” Although she is not the first artist to do re-recordings, her story has been widely circulated by media and has brought a lot of awareness to the importance of owning your own art.
Without a doubt, Taylor Swift’s re-recordings pave the way for a generation of artists with her strong influence and power over the music industry, as Billboard’s artist of the decade with many accomplishments. Hopefully, everyone will join me in listening to Taylor’s Version of her albums and continue to support artists owning their own work.
Writer’s Bio: Emily Gu is a student studying Commerce and Media (PR and Advertising). Her main personality trait is her love of Taylor Swift but she also enjoys baking, crocheting and reading.
