Taylor Swift has done it again. The pop superstar has released the third installment of her re-recorded albums, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), on July 7, 2023. The album is a faithful recreation of her 2010 masterpiece, Speak Now, which she wrote entirely by herself between the ages of 18 and 20. As Swift explained on Instagram, “The songs that came from this time in my life were marked by their brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions and wild wistfulness.”
But Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is not just a carbon copy of the original album. It also features six brand-new songs from the vault, which Swift had written for Speak Now but never released. These songs include collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Hayley Williams, as well as solo tracks that showcase Swift’s storytelling skills and emotional range.
So how does Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) compare to the original Speak Now? And how is it viewed by country music fans, who witnessed Swift’s transition from a country darling to a pop phenomenon with this album? Here are some of the highlights and differences between the two versions of Speak Now.
The Cover Art
The cover art for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is a stunning homage to the original Speak Now cover art, which featured Swift in a long, flowing purple gown with tight curls. The new cover art shows Swift in a similar pose, but wearing a different purple tulle dress by Giambattista Valli Haute Couture. The back cover art also features Swift in another purple tulle dress by Reem Acra, who designed both of her dresses for the original album cover.
The new cover art reflects Swift’s maturity and confidence, as well as her love for the color purple, which she has said represents “magic and creativity.” The cover art also hints at some of the themes and stories in the album, such as fairy tales, romance and heartbreak.
The Songs
The songs on Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) are mostly identical to the original versions, except for some minor changes in length and vocal delivery. For example, most of the songs are 1-3 seconds longer than their 2010 counterparts, except for “Innocent,” “Superman,” and “Ours,” which are shorter. Some fans have also noticed subtle differences in Swift’s voice, such as her pronunciation of certain words or her emphasis on certain lyrics. Some lyrics have been changed, perhaps to reflect regret over the original wording.
However, the biggest difference between the two versions of Speak Now are the six vault songs, which add more depth and variety to the album. These songs are:
- “Electric Touch” featuring Fall Out Boy: A pop-rock anthem about a passionate relationship that sparks like electricity.
- “When Emma Falls in Love”: A sweet ballad about a girl named Emma who falls in love for the first time.
- “I Can See You”: A haunting song about seeing someone who is no longer in your life.
- “Castles Crumbling” featuring Hayley Williams: A powerful duet about a relationship that falls apart like a castle.
- “Foolish One”: A regretful song about letting go of someone who was good for you.
- “Timeless”: A romantic song about finding someone who makes you feel timeless.
These songs showcase Swift’s versatility and talent as a songwriter, as well as her ability to collaborate with other artists. They also give more insight into Swift’s personal life and experiences at the time of writing Speak Now.
The Transition from Country to Pop
Taylor Swift’s transition from country to pop happened gradually over the course of her career, as she experimented with different genres, sounds and collaborators. “Speak Now” was an album that marked the transition from country singer to pop for Taylor Swift with these songs particularly significant:
- “Speak Now”: The title track is a country pop song with a 1950s rock chord progression and a pop music composition. It also showcases Swift’s storytelling skills and sense of humour as she crashes a wedding to stop her true love from marrying someone else.
- “Better Than Revenge”: A pop-rock anthem inspired by Swift’s feud with actress Camilla Belle, who allegedly stole her boyfriend Joe Jonas. The song features electric guitars, drums and a spoken-word bridge, and has been compared to the works of Paramore and Avril Lavigne.
- “Enchanted”: A sweeping ballad about falling in love at first sight, with lush production and dreamy vocals. The song has elements of folk, pop and rock, and was praised by critics for its maturity and sophistication.
The Reception
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised Swift for revisiting and reclaiming her old music. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making it Swift’s ninth number one album in the US. It also broke several streaming records on Spotify and Apple Music, surpassing Fearless (Taylor’s Version) as the most streamed re-recorded album in history.
Country music fans have also expressed their love and appreciation for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), which marked Swift’s departure from country music to pop music. Many fans have noted how Speak Now was a pivotal album in Swift’s career, as it showcased her growth as an artist and a person. Some fans have also rediscovered some of the hidden gems and underrated songs on the album, such as “Enchanted,” “Haunted,” and “Last Kiss.”
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is a testament to Swift’s legacy and influence as one of the most successful and beloved artists of all time. It is also a gift to her loyal fans, who have supported her throughout her journey and witnessed her speak now.