Get ready for Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” where she revisits her groundbreaking 2014 album. This album marked a significant milestone in her career as it was her first official pop album. Swift, now 33, unveiled this exciting news on September 8, creatively aligning with the album title that reflects her birth year. The announcement took place at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, coinciding with the final date of her successful Eras tour’s first leg. More North American tour dates are scheduled for October 2024.
Release Date: “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is set to launch on October 27, exactly nine years after the original album’s release. Swift surprised her fans with the announcement on social media, expressing her excitement about sharing her reimagined version of an album that profoundly impacted her life. She even declared it as her “most FAVORITE rerecord” to date.
Why Taylor Swift is Re-recording: This re-recording of “1989” marks the fourth album in Swift’s catalog to be released as “Taylor’s Version.” She embarked on this journey to regain artistic ownership following the sale of her original master recordings in 2020. Swift stated that the sale “stripped me of my life’s work.” She is passionate about artists owning their own work, and re-recording allows her to have control over her music.
Previous Re-recordings: Before “1989,” Swift had already re-recorded “Fearless” (April 2021), “Red” (November 2021), and “Speak Now” (originally released in 2010, with the “Taylor’s Version” in July). All three albums achieved chart-topping success, with “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” making her the female artist with the most No. 1 albums in chart history.
Original “1989” Album: The original “1989” album, released in 2014, spent 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It featured iconic tracks like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” and “Bad Blood” (featuring Kendrick Lamar). The album’s achievements included a total of 10 Grammy nominations and several wins at the Grammy Awards.
Bonus Tracks: Swift revealed that an exclusive bonus track will be available on the tangerine edition of the vinyl. Fans can purchase this edition at Target stores on October 27. While the specific bonus track remains a mystery, it adds excitement for fans eagerly awaiting the album’s release.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
1. Why is Taylor Swift re-recording her albums? Taylor Swift is re-recording her albums as “Taylor’s Version” to regain control and ownership of her music after the sale of her original master recordings in 2020.
2. Which albums has Taylor Swift re-recorded before “1989”? Prior to “1989,” Taylor Swift had re-recorded “Fearless,” “Red,” and “Speak Now” as part of her efforts to reclaim her musical catalog.
3. When was the original “1989” album released? The original “1989” album was released in 2014 and featured chart-topping hits like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” and “Bad Blood.”
4. Will there be bonus tracks on “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”? Yes, there will be an exclusive bonus track available on the tangerine edition of the vinyl, which will be sold at Target stores on October 27. The specific bonus track has not been disclosed yet.
As Taylor Swift continues to revisit her discography, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” promises to be a nostalgic journey for both the artist and her dedicated fans. The release date of October 27, 2023, marks a significant milestone, aligning with the album’s original release nine years ago.
