Nov. 30 was a monumental day for Taylor Swift fans around the world. Swift released the long-awaited “Red (Taylor’s Version)”. The album was jam-packed with 30 songs, which were a mixture of old songs she remade and songs from the Vault that she never got to release. It is safe to say Swift gave her fans a much-needed remake that finally satisfied their need for an album made free from Scooter Braun’s constraints.
The biggest success of the album was “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”. “All Too Well” was a song from the original album that aged gracefully. As Swift’s fan base grew up, they collectively gained a stronger appreciation for the song and its meaning. By the time Swift fans got wind that the song was originally ten minutes, they were dying for its release. The new version surpassed their expectations. Despite its length, the song is so good it can keep listeners captivated for all its ten minutes. Most of the original song is still in it, however, accompanied by a more mature voice from Swift. The main difference was the extra verses, many of which poked jabs at the hated Jake Gyllenhaal, the song’s subject and Swift’s ex. Swift even produced and directed a short film to go with the song, starring Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” is the shining star of this new album, and rightfully so.
All of the songs were amazing. Swift outdid herself. Despite the success of “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”, all of the other songs also show Swift’s skill as a singer and songwriter. My personal favorite is “State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)”. I had never listened to the original song before the album, so I can’t compare the experience of listening to the new version. However, when I first heard this song, I was obsessed. Swift is a perfect example of simplicity being an art, and this song shows her skill at that. Swift focuses on quality rather than making her songs more eccentric and better. “State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)” is wonderfully crafted. The tune and melody are perfect and, of course, she sounds like an angel.
Every song on this album is perfect. I was worried that Swift fans had too high of expectations. However, Swift brought her fans an incredible work of art that was better than I ever could have imagined.
