Love her or hate her, you have to admire Taylor Swift 's work ethic.
The 33-year-old superstar has literally been non stop for years, re-recording her iconic early albums into ‘Taylor’s Versions’ so she can take back her ownership and release new music at a relentless pace.
This is on top of her Midnights album, and while she entertains millions across the globe at her sold-out Eras tour, which will be coming to the UK next year (praying I get tickets).
Now, the hardest working woman in music is back once again with Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)' - a re-release of her 12 million-plus selling smash album, Speak Now.
It's the latest addition in Taylor's string of re-recordings, coming after 'Fearless (Taylor's Version) and 'Red (Taylor's Version)', and while the others have meant a lot to fellow Swifties, Speak Now is just that little bit more special.
Speak Now was originally released way back in 2010 as Taylor's third studio album , and now it's the US singer's third re-released album.
The original was written when Taylor was between the ages of 18 and 20, and she said of the re-release: "The songs that came from this time in my life were marked by their brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions and wild wistfulness."
It includes new versions of some of Taylor's best written songs, including 'Enchanted', 'Dear John' and 'Better Than Revenge.'
She's also included two songs from the deluxe edition, 'Ours' and 'Superman', and given her loyal fan base six new vault songs, with 'Electric Touch,' featuring Fall Out Boy' and Castles Crumbling, featuring Hayley Williams, of Paramore, who will also be supporting Taylor on her UK and European tour.
The album was first released when I was 17-years-old and listening to it now as a 30-year-old woman, it hits differently, it takes on a more emotional tone, and wraps me in like a warm hug, reminiscent of that nostalgic era.
Fellow Swifties will all have that one song, or that one album which stands out from the rest, because let's face it we don't pick favourites, they are all the best!
Speak Now first came out when I was a teenager so I appreciated the pop it brought, forever dancing to 'Mean', and pointing at my younger brother with laughter when he was being mean, and belting out 'The Story of Us' a little too loudly.
Listening to the new version, I am more in tune with the lyrics and find myself playing different songs first.
Taylor's subtle changes in annunciation, production and performance of this album makes it feel like you've been on this journey with her - you have indeed watched her grow up while you were growing up too.
On the song, 'Mean' the vocals and harmonies takes a slightly warmer touch and 'The Story of Us' sticks to the same upbeat but brings that slightly more indie edge.
Taylor has changed the original lyric of ‘Better Than Revenge’ from ‘She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress’ to ‘He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches.'
Some felt the original line had not dated well and fans have been wondering whether or not it was going to change.
With Taylor's feminist credentials as an adult, she has often spoken out about how women's dating lives, including her own, shouldn't be judged by anyone, so this change feels right.
'Never Grow Up' sounds like a track straight out of her Folklore era, and Swift’s growth as a vocalist after all these years is certainly evident on this song.
This time around, 'Never Grow Up' has heightened my emotions, and is especially hard for me.
Each time I play it, it evokes different feelings. It reminds of my relationship with my mother, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on March, 19, 2021.
As a teenager my relationship with my mother was turbulent at times but overall joyful, and loving.
I grew up and learnt the true meaning of a mother, I appreciated everything she did for me, I became grateful more than ever before and the story presented in 'Never Grow Up' reminds me of that - it's a song I probably would have skipped at 17-years-old.
Play it again and it provokes feelings of happiness, reminding me of the birth of my niece, Jessica, who is now nearly two-years-old, and the joy she brings to our family.
Taylor's vocals on this newer version evoke age and experience but still beauty, and embrace me like my mother's hug that I won't ever get.
Another favourite artist of mine features on the album, front singer of Paramore, Hayley Williams.
Hayley has performed with Taylor plenty of times, with more performances to come now they are touring together, but this is the first time they have appeared together on a record.
The results of 'Castles Crumbling' are magnificent. Both vocalists have their space to shine and neither voice feels competing with one another. Hayley delivers impassioned vocals which matches Taylor's perfectly - they sound beautiful together and I can tell this is going to be one of my most played.
The closing duo of ballads on 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version), 'Foolish One' and 'Timeless' represent the honesty that has helped define Taylor as an artist at that point in her career.
'Speak Now' always held a special place in my young teenage heart, and now 'Taylor's Version' helps me understand my emotions as a woman.
It's a beloved record that us Swifties hold dear for different reasons - but this version isn't about reinvention, but honouring the original work and how far Swift has come.
We should be proud of Taylor, and ourselves. Having pride, is better than revenge. You can buy the album here.
Every single song that features on 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)' was written solely by Taylor herself - here's the track list:
- Mine
- Sparks Fly
- Back To December
- Speak Now
- Dear John
- Mean
- The Story of Us
- Never Grow Up
- Enchanted
- Better Than Revenge
- Innocent
- Haunted
- Last Kiss
- Long Live
- Ours
- Superman
- Electric Touch (ft. Fall Out Boy)
- When Emma Falls In Love
- I Can See You
- Castles Crumbling (ft. Hayley Williams)
- Foolish One
- Timeless
Taylor Swift tickets will be available to buy via Ticketmaster and AXS next week for those who have signed up to pre-sale. More here.
