When Taylor Swift released her recorded album 鈥�1989 (Taylor鈥檚 Version)鈥� Oct. 27, 2023, I opened TikTok and discovered that my For You Page was full of videos of fellow fans鈥� long-awaited reactions. However, I was disappointed to find that the majority of videos shared negative views on Swift鈥檚 re-recording.
Insensitive comments such as 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 sound the same,鈥� or 鈥淭he original was better鈥� written by Swift fans flooded my screen.
Unfortunately, this dismissive reaction is not new. Her fan base complained about the evolution of Swift鈥檚 voice and accent following the release of 鈥淪peak Now (Taylor鈥檚 Version)鈥� in July 2023.
This clear apathy of Swift fans toward her re-recordings disregards the entire purpose of the album collection. The overwhelming negativity of fan reactions is ignorant and insensitive to Swift鈥檚 struggle to regain her stolen songs from exploitative producers.听
鈥�1989 (Taylor鈥檚 Version)鈥� was highly anticipated among Taylor Swift鈥檚 fanbase, following its announcement Aug. 9, 2023. The album includes 16 re-recorded tracks and an additional five previously unreleased 鈥淔rom the Vault鈥� songs.听
According to , in addition to being the first 鈥淭aylor鈥檚 Version鈥� album to have a larger debut than its original, 鈥�1989 (Taylor鈥檚 Version)鈥� also became America鈥檚 top-selling album of 2023 within the first week of its release.听
鈥淭aylor鈥檚 Version鈥� albums are the result of Swift鈥檚 public dispute with music managers Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun, according to . Due to Borchetta denying Swift ownership of the music trademark, allowing Braun to become the new owner, Swift began re-recording her albums.
Chris Richards, the pop music critic, picked apart the changes in Swift鈥檚 vocals, comparing the re-recorded versions of Swift鈥檚 biggest 鈥�1989鈥� hits to their original versions. Richards described Swift鈥檚 new songs as 鈥渃hildish鈥� and 鈥渁wkward.鈥澨�
While everyone is entitled to their individual opinion surrounding music, comments that excessively focus on the acoustic details of 鈥淭aylor鈥檚 Version鈥� songs diminish the larger message behind Swift鈥檚 re-recording.听
Comments that excessively focus on the acoustic details of 鈥淭aylor鈥檚 Version鈥� songs diminish the larger message behind Swift鈥檚 re-recording.听
These albums are meant to celebrate Swift鈥檚 accomplishments and the bold stance she is taking in reclaiming music that was previously sold without her consent. Thus, the re-recordings should be praised as a powerful feminist message instead of being taken as an opportunity for Swift鈥檚 fan base to criticize her.听
Furthermore, it is also ignorant to assume that over the course of nearly a decade, Swift鈥檚 voice would not undergo natural changes. Such slight and naturally occurring differences should not be an excuse to prompt overwhelming online hate. In this instance, the public and music industry must be supportive of Swift for protecting her right to her music.听
Additionally, I believe the slight differences between her original albums and their re-recorded versions, such as the changes in her voice, are what make 鈥淭aylor鈥檚 Version鈥漵o special and anticipated. It allows Swift鈥檚 audience to look forward to her new releases as updated versions of their classic, fan-favorites.听
Swift’s actions have made her a role model and voice for exploited artists undergoing similar struggles. By publicizing her personal struggles, Swift is advocating for other artists whose rights have been violated within the music industry.
Thus, attacking her music not only encourages producers to continue profiting from up-and-coming artists, but also gives the impression that such exploitation in the music industry is acceptable.听
While 鈥淭aylor鈥檚 Version鈥� is just one artist鈥檚 attempt to reclaim her voice, the importance of supporting these new albums is vital in empowering women in the music industry.听
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