Red (Taylor's Version): (Shelby’s Version) and Why It Matters

Leaves are on the ground, there’s a chill in the air, its Red (Taylor’s Version) season.

November 12th 2021 saw the release of Red (Taylor’s Version), the second of Taylor Swift’s re-recorded albums. The album consists of the original 21 tracks, and 9 tracks “From The Vault”, including the highly anticipated 10 Minute Version of All Too Well.

If you’re not sure why these re-records are happening in the first place, take a seat, class is in session. In 2019, Taylor’s record label Big Machine Records was purchased by Scooter Braun. With the purchase of the record label, Scooter had ownership of Taylor’s masters - a.k.a the official recording of a song from which all future copies are made. Those copies are what we listen to on CDs, radio or streaming services, meaning all of those songs now belonged to someone else. This is an awful thing for any artist to be put through, but especially heartbreaking when you consider how raw, personal, and transparent Taylor’s music is. However, because Taylor is the songwriting genius behind her own songs, she still owns the composition rights to them. After signing to a new label, and as of November 2020, Taylor announced that she was going to re-record her entire catalogue. While “(Taylor’s Version)” may appear a cluttered suffix to the song titles, it represents so much more. Taylor’s ownership of her own work.

I think a lot of people don’t understand why this was so exciting to fans. “Haven’t you heard all of these songs already?” “It’s the same album, right?” Yes, but that “Taylor’s Version” in parenthesis represents a lot more than legality. It’s about Taylor reclaiming her music, her work that is quite literally her life, and demonstrating the importance of owning one’s art. At the same time, it allows us as fans to re-visit a certain time in our lives that was defined by these songs and messages. Taylor wrote on Instagram, “Just a friendly reminder that I never would have thought it was possible to go back and remake my previous work…if you hadn't emboldened me. Red is about to be mine again, but it has always been ours.”

For me, these re-recordings are happening at a time in my life that is very unknown. I’m a recent college grad living in a new city on my own. The last time I heard these songs for the first time, I was a young teenager. I have literally grown up with Taylor and her music, and now I can listen to those same songs that I listened to on the school bus; on rides home from volleyball practice; while cleaning my room; and I can figure out how they now fit into this new chapter of my life.

As a die hard Taylor fan (see picture of me at 10 years old), this re-release of my favorite of her albums was not something I took lightly. I really wish I had recorded my reaction to hearing this album for the first time, but this article will have to suffice. Join me as I recap my first thoughts of my favorite of the re-recorded original songs, and all of the new vault songs. It’s Red (Taylor’s Version) (Shelby’s Version).

Red (Taylor’s Version)

Cue big emotions. Hearing the title track of my favorite Taylor album for the first time 9 years later makes me so incredibly happy. This truly feels like we grew up together. The sound of her mature voice on this re-recorded song fits my life now, just like how the sound of her voice on the original song fit my life then.

I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version)

Talk about a staple of 2012. This song literally dominated that year, so I was so interested to see what she did with it. From the second it started it sounded different to me. It’s obviously more mature, but also smoother and lighter somehow. Let’s call it I Knew You Were Trouble Lite.

I Almost Do (Taylor’s Version)

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I Almost Do has always been my favorite song on Red. I think the lyrics are so beautiful and relatable. “Every time I don’t I almost do”. Ouch. The subtle differences in her voice and in the production on this track really enhance it. The crack in her voice on “touching” in the bridge; the guitar at the end. Forever an I Almost Do stan.

Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran) (Taylor’s Version)

Let me start this by saying that I am an Ed Sheeran super fan. Yes, we exist. I freaked when this song came out in 2012, literally two of my favorite people in the world collaborating. They both sound incredible on the re-recording, their voices together are unmatched. There are lots of Easter eggs pointing to the fact that we may actually be getting another collab from them very soon…

The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version)

OOOOF. This song kills me every time I listen to it, but I can’t stop. The Moment I Knew is just as, if not more heartbreaking than All Too Well. She sounds like she’s coming from a place of reflection on Taylor’s Version. She’s still angry and upset about it, but she’s processed it, and it's a lighter anger, that translates so beautifully. “They’re all standing around me singing happy birthday to you” will never fail to stick a knife through my heart. You should have gone to that party, buddy.

Girl At Home (Taylor’s Version)

Oh. My. GOD. My jaw dropped when I heard the first note and lyric and realized this was Girl At Home. Listen, I have never been a Girl At Home hater, I loved the original version; but if I only ever hear Taylor’s Version for the rest of my life, I’ll be just fine. I cannot believe how this song transformed. It is completely a pop song, could easily be on 1989. That’s one of the best things about these re-records, that we get to see what she originally intended for these songs. Girl At Home is the most improved song on the album, do not text.

Better Man (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

Apologies in advance to Little Big Town, but I’ll probably only ever listen to this version of Better Man. Taylor was meant to sing this song. The subtle changes she made are so perfect, and the lyrics sound so much more sincere when they are being sung by the person who wrote them. You can hear the pain and emotion that much more. “I just wish you were a better man.” Ouch.

Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

This song punched me in the face, ripped out my heart, and punched me in the face again. First of all, we need to talk about Phoebe Bridgers having an entire verse on this song. Infamously, Taylor has given only background vocals to the women she features, but has given full verses to the men she features. Something about this has always rubbed me the wrong way - criticize your faves when necessary! - but she recognized that and changed with this track. Nothing New is the most perfect song about growing up, and I don’t think I would have appreciated it as much in 2012 as I do now. “How can a person know everything at 18 and nothing at 22"?” I mean I’m 24, but @ me next time.

Babe (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

WHAT ABOUT YOUR PROMISES, PROMISES? I was/am obsessed with the Sugarland version, but I am now more obsessed with this one. Again, Taylor was meant to sing this the way she intended. The production here is insane. The ad libs, the drums, the HORNS. I don’t even know what genre this would be considered, like I literally cannot wrap my head around it, but I can't get enough of it. You know that meme of the little boy in sunglasses dancing? That’s me listening to Babe (Taylor’s Version).

Message In A Bottle (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

Um, hello 1989? This is so clearly the first real pop song she ever wrote, it is like the epitome of bubblegum in the best way. You can’t not jump/dance to this. It’s honestly a crime that this song was not released in 2012, it would have dominated. You can’t tell me this wouldn't have been featured in the credits of like every cheesy romcom that came out that year. It’s amazing.

I Bet You Think About Me (feat. Chris Stapleton) (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

This song is so perfectly country, and without a doubt my favorite of the vault songs. Remember when I said she always gives male features a verse? Not this time. And as much as I love Chris Stapleton, I don’t think this song would have benefitted from a verse from him. It wouldn’t have made sense, and his voice is so recognizable that even as a background vocal you know exactly who it is. The lyrics are so satisfying. “It turned out I’m harder to forget than I was to leave” and “I bet you think about me” are the most polite ways to say f*ck you that I’ve ever heard. And this song is up there with The Other Side of The Door as one of her best outros of all time.

Forever Winter (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

Again, the HORNS. Incredible. The subject matter of this song is so heartbreaking, but you almost wouldn't realize it because it’s so upbeat. The entire first listen I was like, this is supposed to be a sad song, right? It’s playing tricks on my brain. Regardless, it’s beautiful and relatable. I’m obsessed with the chorus, “when you gooooOOOoooo”. Her vocals will never cease to amaze me.

Run (feat. Ed Sheeran) (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

Remember, I’m an Ed Sheeran stan. Ed said in an interview that they wrote both “Run” and “Everything Has Changed” for Red back when it was released, and he was sure “Run “would make the album. As a huge fan of both Ed and Taylor, it is so clear to me that - even though they wrote both of these songs together - “Everything Has Changed” is a Taylor Swift song, and “Run” is an Ed Sheeran song. It reminds me a lot of his early hits like "Lego House”, “Wake Me Up”, etc. I love hearing Taylor on a song that so reminiscent of Ed’s most beautiful music.

The Very First Night (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

Every. Single. Vault. Song. On. This. Album. Hits. I think this song specifically is the perfect midpoint between Red and 1989. It starts off sounding kinda country, but it’s ultimately a pop song. I think it’s so cool that we get to hear these songs, and knowing the order of her albums, we can see the process of her transitioning from one to the next.

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (From The Vault) (Taylor’s Version)

I cannot believe we live in a world where we have heard the 10 minute version of All Too Well. It completely exceeded any expectations I had for it. The production is so beautiful, I can literally feel the emotion through the first few notes. But the lyrics. I will never know how she does it. “You kept me like a secret but I kept you like an oath” WHAT. “A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel who’s shine reflects on you” HUH. “I was never good at telling jokes but the punchline goes, I get older but your lovers stay my age.” ARE YOU KIDDING? I think I spent most if not all of the first listen with my jaw on the floor. I thought I’d only listen to the 10 minute version occasionally, but I don’t think I can go back to the original after this. I could literally write an entire article about this song alone, and I just might.

As a fan and as a woman, I am so proud of Taylor Swift. The industry has tried its best to knock her down time and time again, but she has proven that she will always get right back up. It would have been easy to give in and accept defeat in this situation with her former record label. But these are her words, her stories, her life. They belong to her, no matter who tries to take them from her, and her endeavor to reclaim them will impact generations of fans and artists to come.