It’s “Perfectly Fine” if you don’t know Taylor Swift’s discography “All Too Well.” But, it’s important to understand why “Everything Has Changed” in the re-recordings of “Red” and “Fearless” that were released within the last year.
In case you’ve been living under a rock during 2021, here’s what you need to know. Taylor Swift has re-recorded and re-released two of her albums and her single “Wildest Dreams,” all on separate occasions. Her new release of “Red” has an explicit ten-minute version of her song “All Too Well,” which has taken over the internet with Jake Gyllenhaal slander and heartbroken fans recalling the iconic lyrics. Both “Red” and “Fearless” include songs From the Vault, or songs she wasn’t able to release at the initial publication of these albums.
So now, the question every non-Swiftie has been wondering. Why is she releasing the “Taylor’s Version” of these albums, and which version should I listen to?
When Swift began her musical journey at 15, she was signed by Big Machine Record Label with Scott Borchetta. She then switched over to Republic Records in 2018. Her first album released with the Universal Music Group was Lover in 2019. One of the terms in her label switch was that she would own all of her masters post-Lover. Then, music manager Scooter Braun took ownership of Big Machine. In simple terms, Braun took ownership of all of Swift's master recordings, or the original recordings of her original work.
Therefore, every time you play any of Taylor Swift’s music pre-Lover, those proceeds go straight to Braun’s pocket. Not only is this a problem because she should earn the money for her music, but Braun was a manipulative manager who does not deserve the money for her work. (Hence the “Stolen Version” title given to the prior recordings of these albums).
As if you needed another reason to remove the old albums from your heartbreak playlists, Swift’s re-recordings feature new songs titled “From the Vault.” These are previously unreleased songs that we are now lucky enough to cry to.
One of her most popular vault songs is the explicit, ten-minute version of “All Too Well.” Yes, she had more to say regarding Jerk Gyllenhaal. This version has likely taken over your TikTok “For You Page.” She even went as far to release a short film with the song, starring Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink. She represents the young Taylor Swift in a relationship with Dylan O’Brien who does suspiciously well at demonstrating how Gyllenhaal gaslit Swift in their three-month relationship.
Taylor Swift has always had a huge impact on the music industry, but she is now completely changing the game. By recreating her masters under her own name, Swift is reclaiming her ingenious work and repopularizing herself catered to an entirely new generational audience.
So, the next time you and your friends want to jam out to “Love Story” in the car, make sure the friend on aux is a Swiftie. However, if she isn’t, be sure to explain the importance of listening to the version that gives Taylor her due diligence. To fix this mistake, press play on “Taylor’s Version” and make it your duty to wipe that “Stolen Version” out of your friend’s music library.
Sophia Cardone is a freshman studying music production and recording industry at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Sophia know by tweeting her @SophiaCardone.
