When it comes to comparing Taylor’s Version albums to the original there are many different arguments to be made.

First, let’s talk about why Taylor Swift chose to release Taylor’s Version Albums. Taylor Swift’s music was sold to Scooter Braun, someone she had openly disliked. Taylor Swift was out of her contract and had wanted to buy her music, but instead of being able to buy it, Big Machine Production sold the rights to Scooter Braun. Taylor was not able to get the rights back and announced that she would be rerecording her old albums and releasing them herself.

In April 2021, Taylor Swift released Fearless (Taylor’s Version), a re-recorded version of her second album Fearless released in 2008. This album included songs “from the vault,” which are songs that she wrote at the same time she wrote the original album, but were not added to the original album. She has continued to release Red (Taylor’s Version), and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and has announced that she will be releasing 1989 (Taylor’s Version) soon. Each of these new releases have had all the original songs along with songs “from the vault.”

Taylor Swift is paving the way for musicians who want to own music and making it possible for many to fight against producers who have been abusing their power for years. In my opinion, what Taylor Swift is doing is very strong and important for musicians moving forward. Now, my opinions on the songs themselves. Taylor’s Versions have been rerecorded with her older, more mature voice as well as more advanced recording technology. Because of this, I believe that Taylor’s Version songs are musically better than the originals. I also have loved listening to the new “from the vault” songs. Taylor’s Version has given me and other listeners the opportunity to relive the excitement and enjoyment of these albums that we had when we first heard them. The only critique I have is that some of my favorites, even though musically better, don’t sound as good. Now, when I say that I do not mean that the music is of lesser quality. I mean that the unique things about her voice at the time of the original album are no longer there. For example, in her earlier albums, she still had her country accent – in her rerecordings, this is gone. Additionally, a few lyric and breathing changes have been made. However, even with this, I have enjoyed the excitement that has come along with these rerecordings and think what Taylor Swift is doing is great!