Does 1989 Taylor's Version Surpass the Original?

Exactly 9 years to the day of the original 1989, Taylor Swift has finally dropped 1989 (Taylor's Version). In this short video essay and review, we'll go through each track one by one and discuss obvious changes and tweaks I noticed as well as talk about the Vault Tracks. We'll also assign the new version a score and see if this version does the 2014 classic pop bible justice.
#1989taylorsversion #taylorswift #videoessay
(SPOILERS: I think it comes very close)
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[@EljohnMacaranas]

1989 TV is finally out! Sound off about what you loved or not so loved about it! I’m starting to come around on everything! 🩵 (but Style’s OG guitar RIP)

[@Kysdoogle]

I loved it especially the new I know places she just did everything right with it as well as I love now that we don’t talk and “SLUT!” Especially “SLUT!”’s dream core sound also ootw tv is even better than I thought it would be

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@@Kysdooglethe antonoff tracks work so well like you can tell he didn’t change much! I Know Places TV feels so much crisper like I love the robotic I’s 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 and the vault tracks!!! 😭😭😭😭

[@josjoererg]

I don’t mind the main album (except for Style), but I really don’t like the vault tracks. They sound like midnights tracks to me, and while they aren’t bad, it really annoys me that they don’t have that classic 1989 sound.

[@noneapplicable1327]

@@josjoerergoh agree with the vaults feeling midnights rejects 😬

[@EljohnMacaranas]

⁠@@josjoerergI think that’s a fair assessment about the Vaults, the bejeweled synth coming in on Is It Over Now? was pretty but also anachronistic (?) did not sound like something that existed in that time

[@erikdaniels0n]

I actually think that this is the first rerecording to make me reconsider my thoughts on a Taylor album. When 1989 first came out back in 2014, I was in my weird “pop hater” phase and I hated how Taylor had “sold out”. In actuality, I was the problem (I’m the problem, it’s me 👋🏻). I was in a deep depression that I wouldn’t get out of for a few years, and when I did, I appreciated 1989 for the pop bible that it is, but it was never my favorite album of Taylor’s. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) changed that for me. With a few notable exceptions (the opening guitar riff in Style mainly), I think 1989 improves upon perfection. I think the vault tracks, while many are saying they sound like Midnights rejects, actually make it seem like a more complete album. It’s everything I could’ve hoped for and more

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m so glad! I think your comment sorta justifies the whole meaning behind these TVs which was to allow fans to really revisit and understand her work on their own time. When these eras were running, we had this invisible pressure to either participate or not, and now that she’s amassed this big body of work, we get time to really digest and understand the work outside of their times. Also, much agreed on the Midnights-y comments, I think Midnights was always the destination since Jack became her go-to guy!

[@sweetlids2898]

Style sounds the same to me you are so over dramatic like stop with the hate it sounds amazing?

[@wasabifantasy18]

chill it wasnt even hate just a tiny detail no one said style wouldnt sound amazing

[@TomUniverse]

Why are people overreacting so much with Style (Taylor’s Version)?

[@erikdaniels0n]

@@sweetlids2898I’m not hating, it’s literally my favorite song on the album, even with the rerecording

[@roberto-zw6ru]

As a newer Swiftie I love the tv. It just seems like some og Swifties do not like any change and that is understandable. Also, I do not think it is a crime to listen to the old versions if you are attached to the original version. It is terrible to listen to the old versions if you do not care or think the rerecords are the same.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Agreed! I still will probably jam to Style OG or Blank Space and NR OG but everything else is TV for me

[@saturn6563]

Why is it terrible to listen to the originals? It’s still Taylor’s music, someone else just legally owns it. Are we gatekeeping music now? What has this world became?

[@123theprodigy5]

@@saturn6563 thank you for saying that!!, She still owns it, she just doesn’t own the master recording that’s it. she can’t profit off of it that’s why Swiftys want to forget and berry the OG version. i’m hoping in the future she can buy them back.

[@123theprodigy5]

I agree, I’m not a Swifty, but I prefer the OG versions a lot better. The OG albums were part of my childhood.

[@roberto-zw6ru]

The whole album? I thought most songs were very similar and some better.

[@rattyxoxo7397]

I was extremely happy with the 5 vault tracks, which are imo her most consistently great vault yet, with every song being amazing, though personally I would say the Red vault still has higher highs. I however did not particularly enjoy the differences on the majority of the original tracks with the exception primarily of OOTW which goes so much harder, though I’m sure that future listens will further endear me to TV even if I will always love the original

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh these vault tracks genuinely are some solid pop hits teasing what the record could have been if Jack had been more involved!

[@anisanurraudah8383]

Red Vault is the best? Really? take ATW10MV out, what's so stellar for red except for nothing new? 1989 tv clear. And it's not even close.

[@RGLmasterpiece]

I think the album was great with him being involved the much he was and 1989 being its own thing. In fact, I’d personally love for her to start to experiment working with someone else now. They’ve done some great work together, however the productions are starting to sounds repetitive and sound-alike.

[@DaalMakhani]

It's really upsetting that we didn't get Max Martin back for this re-record which sort of do make me worried about rep. The first half of rep has Max Martin and it has to hit the way it hits still. I wish he would come back.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think the best compromise would be having one of his like disciples (OzGo, Shellback, Cirkut even) come back and help 😭

[@DaalMakhani]

@@EljohnMacaranas omg yesss! But I'm worried nonetheless. Lol.

[@123theprodigy5]

shellback actually came back to produce the album, but not Max Martin or Imogen Heap.

[@DaalMakhani]

@@123theprodigy5 no, shellback didn't. And Imogen Heap did come back to do Clean.

[@123theprodigy5]

@@DaalMakhani oh, that’s too bad

[@MaryisMary]

I'm still formulating my thoughts on 1989 TV but the one prevailing thought I can't go over with is that the vault tracks sounds like it belongs more on Midnights than 1989

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Jack producing them and Midnights itself being so successful likely turned whatever demos she may have had with him for 1989 into Midnights 2.0 stuff 😭

[@aarondaniel2380]

now that we dont talk, suburban legends and is it over now instantly became 3 of my favourite Taylor songs

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We love to see Suburban Legends get some love! I think these tracks would have shined on Midnights era tbh like sometimes it amazes me that Taylor doesn’t just pass off Vault Tracks as brand new and they sit there waiting to come out 😭

[@aposval3576]

my thoughts about 1989 tv are: style, bad blood and new romantics are bitter pills to shallow the rest of the re-recorded tracks have been upgraded to pop perfection say dont go and is it over now? might actually enter my top 30 most favourite ts songs of all time overall this record did not disappoint, it was my 2nd most anticipated re-recording (I am a rep stan all the way) and also I love how it showed us how midnights is really the sister record to 1989

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Those three have me still antsy but HYGTG remastered changed my life. Also YES on those two! My most replayed! I’m cautious about Rep, I so badly wish she’d get Max or one of his minions to come back and help! Oscar Holter pls! Or OzGo who did Troye’s recent stuff and co produced Dancing With Our Hands Tied!

[@seandalo]

new romantics ate

[@TomUniverse]

Stop overreacting with Style (TV).

[@jenaht]

Odd I have never really cared for Bad Blood - either OG or TV. For me it just isn’t as good and as the rest. I loved the OG and I love the TV. It’s clear her voice has matured, her style has matured, but she hasn’t forgotten who she was when this was recorded and brought it back for her fans. And in most cases even better.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@TomUniverse IDK let the Styleheads work out their worries lmao

[@jeromebs28]

What I love about this re-recording is that it sounds so clean and sharp that it sounds like brand new. You might hate it at first because you can really hear a lot of difference from the OG but you'll soon realize as well that she did it on purpose to make the whole album fresher and better. ❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

They feel very polished in a way the original didn’t quite have but that also does mean lost edges we come to have loved. I do think this is mostly a success tbh. Like the way fans are rediscovering these bops is really the end goal I think!

[@joshlikesfries]

The 1989 Aesthetic change is what really got me, Sure the “beachy” coastal vibes were present at the 1989 (Stolen Version) but the loss of the City Imagery was a miss to me.( Since I really wanted this to be my like soundtrack moving into a city but that’s just me). I do however prefer the Red (TV) vault tracks I swear if Message in a bottle was here or The very first night was here it would probably get a music video. Since we are now 4 recordings in I stil l do think that the Red (TV) is the best but the problems I had with the other recordings was still present here.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The change to the beach likely reflects a shift in priorities and attitudes like I’m sure she still loves NY just not the way a bright eyed 20 something would. Red TV remains amongst my fave eras in general, the 2 music videos and the fact it was sort of redemptive made it special. This feels more like a victory lap by someone who’s won the race a long long time ago!

[@seandalo]

Red TV is arguably the worst taylor’s version. it contains so many draw backs

[@AbesanASMR]

@@seandalo I’d like to hear your explanation on this, please.

[@josephtocco6845]

As someone who listened to 1989 a million times, this album was already held to an extremely high standard by the public and Swifties alike. Of course it's going to sound off/weird, it's the rerecording and she's being reflective instead of being active in her feelings. She was 24 and she's 33 now. I was jarred by Style, but now I actually enjoy it because the TV version sounds nostalgic and live (like you said). Once I stopped comparing it to the original, I enjoyed it A LOT more. Also, this recording has a lot more nuance than it is being given credit for. AYHTDWS, IWYW, and HYGTG are highlights of this. I actually prefer the TV version of Blank Space and This Love over the original too. I will be celebrating this rerecord!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think it’s impossible to recapture the feelings you had many years ago. The wistful quality on some of these songs really make the heartbroken songs feel more authentic tbh.

[@aaliyahfoster2705]

I disagree with Style TV. The differences are still jarring to me that it takes away the original of the song, which is reflecting on the toxic romantic nature of someone while feeling like you're in a constant state of racing thoughts/motion. The new vocals sound chopped and very abrupt from the new instrumental which disjoints that movement to me. Highly disappointed with that, but so many highlights from the TV like I Know Places, AYHDTWS, surprisingly Shake It Off, Out Of The Woods, You Are In Love, and Wonderland!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Shake it Off TV feels so much better I don’t get why people hate on it on Twitter 😭

[@josephtocco6845]

@@EljohnMacaranas I agree with you, I enjoy the TV a lot more!

[@oscarundevall2108]

YES! THIS! I´ve really been trying getting used to Style TV but as soon as the lyric "That you´ve been out and about with some other girl. Some other girl" It sounds like that voice filter youtubers used when they wanted to sound upset or surprised. Also the last "Some other Girl" fells like it was jut put in but with the volume turned up. 😂@@aaliyahfoster2705

[@philjan23]

_"Out of the Woods"_ was my entry point to Swiftieness and I literally cannot *believe* what she did with, or she and Jack, actually. It's perfect. It's just... Beyond words. This new version of OOTW literally takes my soul by thr hand and (wreck my plans LoL) guide it out of the trees-who-are-not-monsters. It's like she has a superpower and she's using on me to make feel better, it's undescribable, it's shocking, I'm incapable of ever having a wig on my head ever again ❤😮❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I'm so glad! I genuinely was so happy to "rediscover" a classic and have it feel just as powerful and new as it was on Day 1.

[@philjan23]

@@EljohnMacaranas right? The way she literally draws it to us in the _Clean_ 's lyric video, that that song, _Style_ and _Out of the woods_ are all about the same dude, it made the experience of listening to the album a completely different experience to me. To this date I wasn't super sure who _"Clean"_ was about, and now that I do, everything is just even more meaningful, I can't even 🥰

[@themaddiecommittee]

I love this rerecording, it's really fun and sparkly and the vault tracks feel so natural to me ❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We love to see it!!!

[@KingJ1110]

As much as it pains me to say this but this might be the re-recording with the worst vault tracks. I was disappointed we didn't get the iconic Max Martin pop sound from the tracks, which was a signature sound in 1989. The vault songs felt more like Midnight vault tracks due to the fact that Jack Antonoff produced all of them. Although slut! is slowly growing on me.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I don’t want to speculate since she wrote lovely things about Max in the prologue and liner notes but it’s weird he didn’t come back or sign off on any of the alleged 100 songs they cut for the OG 1989 😭

[@pawnblue]

Read the prologue and listen to the voice memos, she didn’t include them because she thought she needed to commit to pop 100%, and the vault tracks being slower and less upbeat didn’t fit back in 2014. She was also going through a hard time in that era so it's understandable that the songs aren't upbeat and like the rest of the album

[@KingJ1110]

@EljohnMacaranas it's no speculation...his absence has not gone unnoticed in 1989 TV

[@satarupagingerkolay]

I love how Eljohn states his opinions. It's so calm, concise and well put together. I've also noticed he doesn't get influenced by anybody else's opinions. He has his own from the scratch. I just love your videos.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you so much! I actually love people who are shouty and loud and scattered but hate when I’m like that myself bc that’s just not me haha. I really script these out bc I’m a bit scattered in thoughts. Thank you again for the lovely comment you made my day!!!

[@Jlm7908]

Out of the Woods TV was FABULOUS!! Especially the instrumentation on the chorus and bridge oh my GOD 😭✨

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Does it sound more sparkly and fancy?! Almost like tinted by Gold Rush!

[@Jlm7908]

@@EljohnMacaranas didn’t think of it that way! 🩵🤍🤎

[@noneapplicable1327]

say don’t go sounded like a red track with a synth which makes it one of my faves

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I was feeling that just because of how conventional it is! Like it’s def would have stood out too much on the original tracklisting

[@Spoonishpls]

Honestly, the changes to style, bad blood, new romantics, and wonderland have me sold on them. As a Speak Now girlie, the change have easily made 1989 jump into top 3 for me ❤️

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Wonderland sorta won Most Improved for me tbh!

[@kiasu4ever]

The vault tracks sound more like midnights outtakes except say dont go

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think to a degree the original demos to those songs probably feel more 1989 but revisiting them she def Midnightsified them which is ok but I wanted the Max Martin demos 😭

[@Marty004Cimb]

​@@EljohnMacaranasI doubt there are Max Martin demos to vault tracks written with Antonoff.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh for sure Antonoff doesn’t write with other mega producers (aside from the artists themselves like Lana and Taylor)

[@iwasagirlineldiadoingalrig7290]

as a 1989 girly who loved this album since 2015 and was the album that fully introduced me to Taylor, (i knew abt ybwm, love story & her other hits but i never knew it was her until 1989) this re-recording lit up something in my heart again, listening to blank space, wildest dreams, & new romantics reminded me of a happy version of me. 🤍🤍

[@EljohnMacaranas]

AWWW I'm so glad for you! I think 1989 TV's mission has been accomplished!

[@smax333]

I have to be honest, i LOVE the TV version of Style. Its a different vibe, sounding a bit 80s/midnights vibe but its just as good as the original. The original feels more romantic, both versions fit different vibes.

[@paolo2411]

Finally someone who thinks it like I do!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I like that take on it! That's a cool lens to look at it through!

[@Jlm7908]

This is sort of what I thought! The punchier beat and bass is cool, it’s just a different attitude from the original

[@Sparlunar]

Fr it’s one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs ever! Surpassing the original by a long shot 🤩

[@ramonbendeler3947]

@@Sparlunar nah-ah OG is perfection and the new version is just......meh

[@damonchampion823]

I agree with your analysis. It think you were kind when you came to Style, I was gutted when I heard it as you shouldn’t mess with perfection. Hopefully will grow on me 🙏🏻

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Haha I had recorded after a lovely hangout with friends listening to it but the first time I heard Style TV I was genuinely really mad 😭

[@ercynomics]

I do like 1989 TV version more than the og version. Having listened to an excessive amount of synthwave in the past I can say the more expressive synth in 1989 TV gives off a Miami Nights vibe as opposed to a New York vibe, which I prefer much more. Imo it suits the album better. Especially New Romantics and Style, those are by far my favourite re-records. Blank Space needs to grow on me though, that I can admit haha

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think that’s a neat way of looking at it, it feels very coastal vs the city lights. Maybe that’s why the visuals lean that way!

[@TheMannyx17]

This version of 1989 is, for me, an experience. And the way it sounds vary greatly on how you listen. It's amazing in Dolby Atmos, for example, even Style, which has been the hardest song for me to get used to so far. The overall production is way more refined, you can make out everything in that studio with a good pair of headphones... However, it is still a shame MM refused to get onboard, because his input would've just made this version supreme. I appreciate Antonoff coming through, you can clearly see the songs he worked on have improved vastly, and Taylor herself sounds a million times better.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh I listened on Homepods at my bestie’s and it sounds perfect on those speakers! 😭🩵

[@TheMannyx17]

@@EljohnMacaranas The big ones or the minis? I have two minis and they support Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos and it sounds amazing!! The AirPods Max also do a great job!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The Big ones haha! My friend has Gen 1 Homepods and they sound explosive that he has to put them at 30 percent before walls shake haha

[@piscesmoonn]

someone needs to give taylor an intervention for these spotify canvases.. and the lyric videos..

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Some of these are amazing because they’re 1989 backdrops we never had in HD (and I was shocked she owned since Big Machine Records had owned the og album covers) 😭😭😭

[@noneapplicable1327]

i jumpscared when the how you get the girl one showed up 💀

[@ElWCont]

“Is it over now?” is the supermodel ✨

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It’s such a good track OMG 😭🩵

[@averykoi]

1989 was always in the middle to bottom on my ranking for the album because i only liked the hits basically and with the re-recording, it feels like such a good album! besides style and blank space, the re-recording is better. i remember being so excited for speak now taylor’s version because its my second favorite album, but, at the time, my life was so bad that i didnt really enjoy my time with it, its still my second favorite, but now that im healing, 1989 is now my third favorite album and im so grateful for it!!! i was so excited that i woke up before my 4am alarm because i just couldnt wait to hear! im dancing and singing 1989 songs all day ever since. i wish the deluxe version had sweeter than fiction tho :/

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I'm so glad you were able to discover and love the deep cuts! So many of these tracks genuinely could have been singles on their own. I'm a bit saddened by Sweeter than Fiction not being on streaming but they need to feed the Target Version machine.

[@WJSN_officiaI]

I was initially disappointed with the re-recording of my personal favorites (I Wish You Would and How You Get The Girl) and I was surprised that a lot of people considered them as improvements from the original. They grew on me though, and while I cannot say they were able to outdo the originals for me since I am deeply attached to the original versions, I commend Taylor and her producers for doing the best they can to re-capture and give the songs justice ❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

That’s fair! I think people have been vocal the tracks they really clung to sounded off or different. Likely because when you listen to a song forever you learn the smallest little beats and details that don’t quite get recaptured as well 😭

[@mattwalsh615]

The claps in Style (1:20) are so dry in the Taylor’s Version. And there’s these clicks that start in the 2nd verse of Shake It Off that physically hurt my ears

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It’s the tinier details that really do prevent me from fully endorsing the TVs like the precision Max has was part of the magic of 1989

[@cmmbp1076]

oh im So glad you mentioned the style claps! there was something off abt the style chorus i just couldnt place. Why the hell would she remove the echo off the claps?? and remove the sonic soundscape fo the chorus??

[@123theprodigy5]

Yep, shake it off sounds terrible, the high hat sound like as if she pitched them down. and her vocals sound like as if she used way too much processing, and the drums sounds like as if she used Nightcore.

[@mattwalsh615]

@@123theprodigy5 Agreed! It sounds like they put a filter on her voice instead of recording tight harmonies and stacking them. Just makes them sound robotic

[@mattwalsh615]

@@cmmbp1076 She really needed to convince Max and Shellback to come back. I’ve heard it’s $100k per session (which shouldn’t be a problem) and that he likes to work on new things instead, but if she’s dedicated to the cause I wish she would try harder to really make it happen. Shellback was on Wildest Dreams TV, which is probably why I’m fine with that one

[@ryanxamp]

omg i cant believe i didnt notice imogens background singing on the original clean!! its so beautiful omg. imogen is one of the first pop artists i fell in love with as a little kid.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

There was this Instrumental with Backing Vocals version of the album they used to sell way back when I’d listen to because Imogen’s backing vocals were louder 😭

[@zeldageek35]

Clean has an extra something there (especially in the chorus) that makes it sound fuller and better, which I didn't even know was possible until I heard it. There's a reason it's my favourite song of all time

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I adore that song, I think maybe it’s the mixing of the synths to feel better in spatial.

[@kartkaesque]

The visuals on Clean's lyric video are so good

[@EljohnMacaranas]

They were the tour visuals! The backdrop she had while singing! 🩵

[@ChristianTTPD]

I hope she eventually puts Sweeter Than Fiction (Taylor's Version) on streaming it's so good and one of my all time favorite songs from her

[@EljohnMacaranas]

When the target contract ends likely!

[@Sparlunar]

Same! I have the Target vinyl but it would be way more convenient if it was on streaming

[@Travel__Spin]

I was never really a fan of style until her Taylor Swift version just came out. I’ve been listening to it all day. I never gave it a second listen in all the years I’ve had the og album before this. What people like is just different.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I love that the song clicked for you! It’s such a classic!

[@inklingboy2583]

Lol i feel like im the only person that liked Style TV on first listen😭 I guess i can understand why people didnt like the changes there though but personally when i got to that track thats when i knew this was going to be her best re record imo the only tracks that needed to grow for me really was blank space and new romantics really

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’ve slowly started to love Style TV but I’m like looking at it as a live version in some ways bc of the guitar but agreed BS and New Romantics is gonna take me time to love-love

[@inklingboy2583]

@EljohnMacaranas yeah but their still very good imo and the vault tracks are so good im actually so scared for rep cause that's my fav album of hers but this re record was so amazing to me that idk if it's gonna top this for me😭

[@BBROSNANN]

I enjoy both versions. I cannot tell a huge difference between the two. The fans need to stop treating it like a catastrophic tragedy.

[@Luis-rs1kg]

As a producer myself and a Style stan I felt really disappointed and had to listen to Style TV 20 times before I even could enjoy listening to the new version. I just think the groove is gone because she sings the chorus less rhythmically and the flow with the bass just doesn't sound right. In my opinion nothing will ever touch the original version but I will listen to TV in hopes of it growing on me in the future.

[@Sparlunar]

Yeah I noticed that something was slightly different about it on my first listen, but I still jammed out to it. Definitely in my top 3 1989 TV songs

[@hardcoreloo1139]

I honestly had only problems w Style and the a ha haa's of NR ... everything else is great imo

[@EljohnMacaranas]

There’s just a little friction on Blank Space that keeps me from loving it!

[@hardcoreloo1139]

​@@EljohnMacaranasI actually am really satisfied w that one

[@ryanxamp]

so im a very recent swiftie who only got hardcore into taylor this year. so far the re-recordings have been amazing to me because i never had much of a connection with the stolen versions. but as with many people, i was ALWAYS a huge 1989 fan. this ones the hardest for me because blank space and a few others just arent hitting exactly the same as the old ones even if they do technically sound better. still so happy about this album and for her.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh for sure it’s been an adjustment but at the same time… I love that everyone is finally giving the deep cuts the love they’ve deserved online! Like not just Swifties but like GP!

[@grasarlia]

I wonder why Shellback didn't come back to produce 1989 TV (except for Wildest Dreams). He produced Red's pop singles and Message in a Bottle so I'm surprised he barely touched 1989. I really wish he did though because Style and New Romantics don't hit quite the same🥲. I also think the vaults would've sounded less like Midnights with his production. Either way I'm happy Taylor reclaimed her work !!

[@Marty004Cimb]

Even if Shellback came back to produce Style, Blank Space etc... He wouldn't produce the vault tracks, because they are written by Swift and Antonoff.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think Shellback and Max are booked and busy or maybe asked for a bit too much. But yeah, those Vaults were written with Jack and were always meant to be produced by him (aside from Say Don't Go)

[@vysop2560]

I was most upset about Welcome To New York. I think her voice blends so much in the synth and it is so present that the songs doesn't "pop" that much and the chorus feels lower, whereas the original felt like saying "New York!" looking down from a plane in a sunny afternoon, the rerecording feels like wearing sunglasses at night in a crowded street, that is, the imagery is cool so as the change of perspective, but I l prefer the more exiting feeling of landing for the first time than the feeling of visiting just one more time. 13 minutes and 13 seconds!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Sunglasses at night is so Midnights-core like I love that descriptor!

[@taylorwaterman7316]

I gotta say as someone who became a fan cuz of the 1989 album I was most excited for this re-do. I mean, just being honest, I was not a fan of her when she was 'county'. (Country fans have apparently been very vocal that she was never country but anyways). So since becoming a main pop girl, the re-recordings have made her 'country' albums more pop. Which is why I have been a fan so far of the Taylor's versions. But I was REALLY disappointed at this re-recording. It just seems like she phoned it in. I will cut her some slack, this was her craziest album. Crazy time in her life. She works with different people now. It was her pop debut. It was like everything fell into place for this album to happen and be so good. Lighting does not strike twice. She was going though a break up re-recording this. She was with that rebound guy from that band. She was taking heat for being with him. Etc...maybe it came out on this re-recording. I feel like when 1989 came out she had a different energy, and it was happier times back then too. But this recording every song sounds like it's a very unfinished demo. Maybe my expectations were too high. Most of her other efforts on past albums the songs sound the same if not better. Not this time. Sounded like she does not care/phoned it in. I get it she is at a different place in her life, ok. But only 2 of the songs redone were any good, the vault tracks were.....just....there. There is a reason that her original album is getting streamed, ppl miss it. Unfortunately this was a dud. I'm still a fan of hers. It sucks that she even has to do this since she could not buy her own music. And the record labels are doing something now that they are saying you can't re-record music for at least 10 years! I also heard that Dua Lipa was able to purchase her own music or something. You win some you lose some I guess. But we know the shady music industry are the real one's to blame. Thank you for your analysis videos as always! :D

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you for the lovely comment! And yes I did notice a bit that the pop bleeds more into the country rerecordings, especially the voicing and harmonies sounding more polished. I do get the feelings behind it being inferior. I think contextually everything makes sense. The record labels are truly monsters even going so far to lock newbies into these contracts because of TVs.

[@piscesmoonn]

i hate how short now that we dont talk is, and how long say dont go is

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Now That We Don’t Talk is sorta perfect for streaming which shocked me it wasn’t the single (Slut! is cute and attention grabby ofc) but yeah it needed an extra minute to breathe. Say Don’t Go definitely runs long but I’m cool with it just because it’s really 80s (man songs then could go up to 6 minutes and would still get airplay 😭)

[@gabrielescobar571]

My issue with this album in particular is the mixing and the vocal performances. The first three tracks are very tight with the reverb and not as open as the original. Style in particular has several weird audio artifacts that, to me, I wouldn’t expect from Taylor. “That you been out and about” for some reason sounds muffled by some effect. When it comes to singing these songs, she sounds almost disinterested, lacking a lot of personality/character that made the OG so memorable. Overall, I’m happy she reclaimed the album but it pales in comparison to the original.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think Rowe didn’t know how to make Martin’s iconic wall of sound work so he cranked up reverb 😭

[@seandalo]

Pales in comparison is crazy. other than those three tracks this version is so much better in terms of production

[@zachbernstein3804]

@@EljohnMacaranaswhy wouldn’t Max Martin come back? Is he team Scooter? If shellback could, why couldn’t he?

[@unhealthyhomeostasis]

@@zachbernstein3804 He charges $100k per song to produce. He and Taylor also may have had a little falling out likely due to his requirement to be listed as a writer on songs that he produces even if he didn't write anything on them.

[@gabrielescobar571]

@@seandalo in my opinion, it really doesn’t from a mixing stand point. There’s a reason why Max Martin is known for what he does- it’s all in the detail. The backing vocals, the effects, etc all don’t seem as strong as the OG. Nevertheless, it’s solid but not my favorite.

[@paolo2411]

I think this is her best re-recording tbh. I think she did a really great job and made a lot of songs better in terms of production and singing. The vault tracks are good imo but I feel like some of the Red tv ones were better (forever winter, nothing new, I bet u think about me, the very first night are all ICONIC songs imo) - however, time will tell (i really enjoy is it over now and slut atm). My problem with Red was that she kinda ruined 22, wanegbt, trouble. Also, I would argue that style tv is kinda better than style original (I’m not really getting all the drama). Also I really enjoy the cover art for 1989 tv and, while it’s surely not as iconic as the 2014 one and I preferred the city vibes instead of the beachy ones, I think it’s better that the cover arts for the other re-recordings.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Red was sort of a shocking TV, the vaults were amazing but those singles felt a little short changed. The Vaults for 1989 definitely will ring amazing for the midnights crowd. But I do love the covers and agree with you on that! The standard is actually my favorite one for once.

[@johnvincent1595]

Although I love and anticipated 1989TV, Red TV is still on top for me.

[@Yusuf-sy4cj]

how you get the girl and i know places sound better on the rerecoding imo

[@EljohnMacaranas]

YESSSS! HYGTG sounds so magical and full! And I love the autotuned I’s

[@anisanurraudah8383]

DEFINITELY. The OG does not feel like an album completely inspired by 80's synth-pop with only Style, OOTW, IWYW, This Love, and New Romantics truly embodying the 80's sounds. With TV, it's all perfect. The mature vocal with additional synth to make it more 80's feel, bolder and brighter productions all over the og songs, and the clever, subtle yet catchy production on vault tracks. FLAWLESS. The best re-recording album by a landslide. That 95 score on metacritics aint lying.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

95 on Metacritic for a rerelease is so powerful omfg

[@michaelmarquez7778]

I'm surprised people don't have a problem with Blank Space. As that is one of my all-time favorite Taylor/pop songs, Blank Space TV just doesn't have the same rawness that the original does. It sounds too polished and her intonation is clearly different, but I think that raw emotion she poured into the original really makes that song better than every other aspect of itself. It's the way she sings each line, each word, and how she had completely decided to play the game. I was really anti 1989 upon its release bc I really loved Country/Country Pop Taylor, but god was I wrong bc 1989 is another pop perfection bible that can stand among other pop albums of the same degree. I think while Style is the most loved song on the album, Blank Space is really the perfect title track and shows Taylor's mastery of her craft, her clever and mischievous (in terms of how to navigate herself in the industry and in her music) mind, as well as what makes Taylor stand out in today's generation of music.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It’s really hard to reenter the mindset of when you made a specific piece of art I think! I have a good friend who’s an artist herself and she was once tasked with making an exact copy of a simple painting she did back in college and while it was nearly the same upon inspection the colors and stroke patterns looked distinctly different enough. She’d painted that piece during her first relationship, the new one after her first divorce. I imagine the same principle carries to musicians.

[@josephtafur]

My Opinion I love 1989 (Taylor's version) Yes, Christaphor Rowe is no Max Martin and Shellback but he understood the assignment and he did the best in recreating Max Martin and Shellback soundscape, it's much better than he preformace on the TV version of I Knew you were Trouble and We are never ever get back togther. I know places (TV) is amazing, the biggest reason i support the Taylor's Version is because her vocals have gotten so much stronger and control and this song displayed perfectly The from the vault tracks are amazing, Say Don't Go is my favorite, I hope you hardcore swifties help make this a hit for Republic to make a single. This is my favorite Taylor's Version at the moment and I'm can't wait for Reputation (Taylor's Version)

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The improvement from Red TV is evident for sure. I’m seeing Say Don’t Go hit number 1 on iTunes. So I would not be surprised to see a push. All the Vaults genuinely could work as single. Rep TV is gonna be a moment 😭

[@itspricila]

max martin was sorely missed, style and new romantics just do not hit the same, imma stick with the og ones but overall, its a great re record with some great vault tracks

[@123theprodigy5]

I agree, I am dreading what her self titled re-recording will sound like.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@itspricilla the way I have my OG vinyl right next to my TV one

[@Jooliwn]

Some of the tracks *cough* (style) *cough* do feel like there is a lack of passion but it does the job to bring back the magic of the original (also sl*t is the best vault track fight me i always win‼️)

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think it’s genuinely hard to recapture the feelings you had years ago on tape like it kinda shocks me because some of the live performances recently sound 1:1 to the OG but then again mixing and stuff

[@kelistigerz9898]

Style is a little odd, but it isn't the rerecording I have issues with the most. Everything before the bridge on Blank Space (TV) rubs me the wrong way. Bad Blood is my least fav Taylor song so I think the rerecording's an improvement. Favorite vault tracks are Now That We Don't Talk & Is It Over Now? especially.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think it has to be the snare drums and the timing being just a bit off… like there’s a reverb effect that makes it echo a bit longer and it will throw off long time fans a bit! OMG your Vault Track faves are mine tbh! 🩵 Now That We Don’t Talk deserves a video or something!

[@c.hunter9069]

It’s very strange

[@c.hunter9069]

Weak guitar tone. Bad spacing of the mix

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The guitar is the most obvious change if it was pitched a little closer to the original…

[@lappy3000]

Hell nos and headphones shout out! I would absolutely die for a Swift/Julia Michaels cowritten song. I also heard a bit of October Passed Me By by girl in red in 0:33 of Slut. God the vaults are so good! "Is it over now?" Incredible. Thanks for another great video!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thanks so much! Julia Michaels and Swift writing a track would kill me (and the charts!) OMG I have to relisten to catch that. Is it Over Now? is such a good epilogue to the whole saga tbh!

[@lappy3000]

@@EljohnMacaranas Do it! Slut at 0:33 Sounds like 1:28 of October Passed Me By! I switch from one to the other every time. Also I'm starstruck thanks for replying hahaha

[@kitcostello]

I've got to be honest to admit that i think the re-recordings have been slightly messy/ inconsistent ... let me explain: Vault tracks: why isn't there a consistent number? Taylor said that she wrote hundreds of songs for 1989 so why only 5? (!!) Fearless: 6 VT Speak Now: 6 VT Red: 10 VT (Of course theres no rules we are lucky to get any but just kinda random aha) Music videos: Again not consistent. sure we may get one for 1989 most likely slut or clean but Red TV got a movie AND a music video? (granted she most likely did this to push for grammy recgonition) But why no video for Fearless TV? Press: Again main press that I can think of was only for Red TV and a couple GMA announcements for the others. In conclusion: Red TV to me (peronally) felt special, like a roll out, we ALL remember where we where when we listened to ATW 10 min version. I really feel like with recent TV's they feel rushed and therefore don't feel special and I (again personally) feel like it is starting to show in some of the tracks.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

To some degree I think she just wants these over and done with like Red TV felt like a blockbuster event because she was rebuilding her image and her star power. The incentive to make 1989 TV a proper era is kinda dead when she’s got the number 1 song, movie, and soon album in the country. Also the publicity with Travis Kelce, this feels like a cherry on top (but I do understand why it’s frustrating bc I wanted a video! 😭😭😭)

[@kitcostello]

​@@EljohnMacaranas I totally agree with the thought process that she may what the era of rerecording over. I think its so interesting to think what her career would have looked like if she never had to rerecord? This rerecording era has reminded past listeners why they loved her and current why they still do, and evidently she is bigger than ever (maybe even because of it). What if that never happened?! super crazy to think!! (would love a video on this topic!!)

[@123theprodigy5]

I agree ATW 10 minute version is special.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@kitcostello the rerecords are def a double edged sword in that I think we would have never gotten an Eras Tour or the version we have today and maybe Folk/Ever would have never happened. A katy perry trajectory of falling out of favor could have happened too. Then again who knows? Maybe Midnights or a Midnights like album would have emerged and smashed.

[@jet687]

I love the new "Subscribe" animation! But also... 1989 was always going to be the hardest re-recording because of the timing. It's too early to have its own renaissance genre-wise and the sophistication of the recording was already up to the standards of modern times. Previous albums had obvious engineering and production kinks whereas 1989 was almost perfect. It also doesn't help that it's still so fresh to people's ears like they just heard them yesterday. The vault tracks feel rushed production-wise compared to Red (for me the best TV by far), that if given more time, they could have been the next Message In A Bottle. However, as drafts for then released tracks, they have a place in the timeline. The stolen version will always be iconic but the TV sounds more crisp and will have a bit more longevity later on. Great job for the quick release! 💙

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Haha thanks for noticing! I agree that it's almost too soon to be nostalgic for the sort of sounds 1989 had. The Red TV had the best Vault tracks tbf just because of the variety, all the 1989 TV tracks fall in the same sort of sound rather than a mix of different sounds.

[@noneapplicable1327]

lmao youtube said no 13 min 13 second runtime… 😭 but omg we are twins like i thought the same about style and i know places

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We tried! 😭😭😭

[@smileyface78]

I’m sorry but she butchered the ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ahhs on new romantics 😭 like the rest of the song is fine but that thing just ruins it

[@EljohnMacaranas]

They sound a bit muted, like they needed to cut the echo on the track overall

[@smileyface78]

I also feel like the vault tracks are just rejected Midnights songs, if Max Martin would’ve came back it would’ve been perfect

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh I’m sad Max didn’t even lend any old demos they did together or it wasn’t cleared by both sides 😭

[@thetrfh]

the mixing in Welcome To New York is so weird ☠️ how do y'all not hear it 😭 the vocals aren't giving

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Def turn off Dolby Atmos if you have it on or spatial audio… like my first listen was botched by that 😭

[@eutueli3106]

fucking love your analysis

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you so much 🩵 I used to think it didn’t have a place in this world (like my IRL friends told me to make a youtube channel as a joke years ago and well now… haha)

[@ChristianTTPD]

I ALSO GOT HELL NOS AND HEADPHONES VIBES FROM NOW THAT WE DON'T TALK I'm obsessed with Hailee Steinfeld I've been waiting for you to make a video hopefully you will eventually. Anyway my thoughts about on this album are mixed. Some tracks are great but some are not as good as the original ones such as Blank Space, Style and New Romantics. The vault tracks are really good and I will be continuing to listen to them. Overall I would give this and 9.2 out of 10. Not quite as good as the original but still fantastic

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh mother Steinfeld is getting a video because it’s nearly been a decade and we’re still waiting. I so agree with the mixing being messy for a few. But the Vaults more that make up for me.

[@slendii366]

I prefer just about everything on TV over the original

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m glad!!! I was shocked 13/16 of them were just about right or a lil fresher for me, I think the ones I didn’t love were bc I’d listened to the original of those 1000 times

[@slendii366]

@@EljohnMacaranas yeah if you’re very familiar with the old version then you’ll instantly notice the difference. But I had the mindset of “I can’t wait to see what she changed”

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think that optimistic lens makes the TVs fun and not a dreadful experience, like I’m scared for Rep most but now look forward to seeing which elements Rowe and Swift liked best from the originals and emphasized

[@nthgrzga]

I think 1989 TV is one of the better re-records (aside from Speak Now TV). For me, the vault did not disappoint and tbh i dont mind Style TV now. I love it just as much as the original.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

OMG SNTV was so good like 😭

[@cinnamon_bbg]

HOW DID YOU MAKE THIS SO FAST

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I did not sleep 😭🩵 I was editing footage while I was at a 1989 listening party last night 🥺

[@leandrojabour9403]

I don"t know how to put it in technical words but blank space sounds darker and heavier. It sounds like blank space from reputation. But I like it.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think those words work, I’d say it’s also more atmospheric, there’s a dark pulsing synth in it that wasn’t so present before!

[@leandrojabour9403]

​@@EljohnMacaranas that's exactly how I feel too. Guess I'll listen to this one as 1989 darker/stronger/heavier version.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Bad Blood Kendrick TV captures the vibe better than Bad Blood TV it’s kinda neat! Fits the Halloween weekend vibes for me!

[@MeganiumForever]

Out of the Woods she removed the faster drums, Clean she changed the harmonies, I Know Places, i don't like the autotune or vocoder I's, and New Romantics i dont like the instrumental and beat change and the ahh's sound horrible. I dont like any of the vault tracks. My first listen of the vault tracks I honestly got angry. I heard Bejeweled synths and Maroon bases in multiple songs. It sounded like rejects from Midnights. I LOVE 1989 so much and was so upset and disappointed with this. I am trying to like the vault tracks more, but I think I won't ever prefer her version of those four songs. Speak Now TV completely made me fall in love with it, so this was even a bigger disappointment

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh that’s such a shame! But I do get it even if I disagree on a few points. Speak Now was an immaculate recreation that really did recapture nearly everything in detail where this was an extremely digital album where it’s a bit harder to find the exact sounds you need to remake things (I imagine some of the drums and synths needed to remake songs only exist on Max’s PC) 😭

[@sheismymom]

yes this is the first one that i thought was better i love it

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We love to see it 🩵 I think a lot of it was pretty well done aside from the ones I played like 1000 times

[@matthewbrew777]

I think 1989 has the potential to easily grow to be the best re-recording, just with the original being so incredibly iconic, it'll take a while for people to adjust. Welcome to New York sounded a little jarring at first, but on a few listens I've grown too like it again - oone of the very few songs where I think the OG is still a little better. Blank Space sounds great, and love how they brought out the bridge harmonies more! Style does NOT sound terrible, I really don't understand why people think it does... I do prefer the guitar of the OG version, but other than that, Taylor's Version is just as good. Out of the Woods had the biggest glow-up, along with I Know Places (and This Love). I'm getting used to New Romantics, but the vocal mixing on the original was a lot better - Taylor's voice gets lost in the background more in the new version. There's also some jingle bells in the chorus that are way too prominent on the new version which really upsets the momentum of the chorus in the OG version. I think the vault is easily the strongest out of all of them, or at least on par with Red. Slut's production and lyricism are perfect - right choice for that to be the single. Say Don't Go is really beautiful, easily going to being a top Taylor song for me. Now That We Don't Talk gives me very Reputation vibes - really love Taylor's vocals in the chorus, but wish it lasted longer. Suburban Legends is probably the weakest track from the 1989 vault - good songwriting and a great bridge, just not very memorable. Is It Over Now was a great closer, but does sound a little too similar sonically to Labyrinth and You're Losing Me, both of which I would say are potentially better songs in Taylor's discography. Overall I think 1989 Taylor's Version is an amazing album, but after all the re-recordings are done, I think Taylor needs to find a new producer. I love Jack Antonoff's work, but there's a danger that a lot of Taylor's songs will start to sound quite similar. Also the last 3 songs of the vault all being in C major (the most basic key, similar to Reputation where over half the album is in the same key) was a really bad composition choice and could have easily been fixed. Having said that, the overall production, songwriting, and vocals of 1989 are really great considering expectations were so high after such an incredible album first time round.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh the adjustment period is real! The jingle bells on the chorus are way too distracting on New Romantics. I agree on the Vault being really good. I'm shocked how well done all of these were. They're all very Midnights-esque tracks that sound like 1989 2.0 by way of Jack. Oh yeah, I laughed when I picked up my guitar and so many of the Vaults had the same chords just different progressions. Like if you dig one, you'll likely dig them all because they have the same DNA (aside from Say Don't Go which felt a bit distinct and more Red flavored). Jack and Taylor make great music together and it's tempting especially with how much they win together to keep it going but I'd love to see Dessner or another producer work with her in some capacity.

[@isaacccol6754]

Agreed! Very good review! I too was a bit taken back by WTNY at first, but now after a day or two I consider it better than the original excluding the vocals on the final chorus. It sounds much more fuller. The same is true for nearly every track on the re-recording. I know places, wonderland, out of the woods all had huge glow ups. Blank space, AYHTDWS, bad blood, this love, clean all we’re faithful recreations. The only issues I have are the mixing on New Romantics, and the guitar and vocal performance on style. But it’s still a great album and I’d say, on the whole, an upgrade from the original

[@cmmbp1076]

Ah yes! I was waiting for your video bc i wanted to see your take on ootw. In the space between the chorus and the bridge, she adds 2-3 drum beats (which are highlighted in the lyric video by those glowing orbs) and, for me personally, it ruined that 'quiet' soundscape which is what made being thrusted into that bridge all that much better. What hurt most is that these beats *aren't* just made louder from the original, no, these beats aren't in the original at all. If you compare both of them 2:20 - 2:25 you can hear what im talking about :(

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh wow, I actually did go back to compare the two and that is a real difference. I genuinely just got swept by how glittery the chorus was. But I see that. Like the drum beats kind of excise the calm before the storm wow.

[@takollette]

As someone born in 1992, I can relate to Taylor's choices for 1989. We're like peers and I can easily say that, like me, Taylor is more mature now and let us know and feel that after folklore. Yes, folklore is the milestone for Taylor's personality in my opinion. Around the same time, we experienced also pandemic and between 2020 and 2022 I became so much more mature. I don't get angry or get hyped the things I used to before. My inner peace and health come first now. I'm sure that Taylor also thinks this way now. The past is past, things are learned, not be repeated again. So listening to 1989 from mature Taylor gives me such fun like nothing else because I also grew up together with her and I definitely can relate her feelings, how life touched her personality, and how we're moving forward for peace. I don't think Taylor re-releases these albums for getting "sold-out" as well. I'd give Taylor's Version of 1989 10/10, for me it's much better than the original in every aspect. I remember in the early 2010s how many mistakes I made and as a more grown person, maybe Taylor also adds her past with a refined touch symbolically, and wants to see her past from her mature pov

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Yeah that does make sense and why a few tracks def feel overpolished compared to the grungier mix from years past

[@Sequoya]

Great video and assessment! “I know places” is so good. The 2000’s had this production style that clipped the vocals and sound, and made them louder in the mix. It took away from the dynamic soundscape of the tracks. The tv’s have rectified that trend and added more nuance and punch. Also, those vintage synths are hard to recreate. That’s why the 80’s sound is so unique. 💙

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Aaah! I was waiting for you to show up! 🩵 I agree “the loudness wars” did alter how music was mixed up until now-ish where we’re acclimating to proper mixing. But yes synths truly are so hard to recapture 😭

[@Sequoya]

Love the profile pict.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you hahaha I wanted something that reflected how bookish I was and the Lego Star Wars inspired PFP got old haha

[@Astrid_2016]

I love TV, shake it off and new romantics definitely had to grow on me but I loved them very much and I have gotten used to them the more I listen to them ❤ it's a great album overall.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m on my 10th listen and it doesn’t feel that off anymore like I think listening to the OG religiously for years altered how I can perceive the tracks!

[@Astrid_2016]

@@EljohnMacaranas literally 8yrs of the same album changes you as a person

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I feel like my past self would love the songs TV just as much as the originals and I think that’s all that matters haha

[@andrewmaeda]

The way they remaster the style instrument it makes me feel mad, Whyyy just WHYYY? But the fact "all you had to do was stay" its feels like isnt Taylor Version, it very close to the OG one

[@EljohnMacaranas]

That specific guitar riff is so specific like I’m surprised it wasn’t replicated exactly

[@paarthm9681]

style and new romantics dissapointed so hard personally. the guitar will never live up imo. and the ah ah ahs in new romantics sound like kids bop. and as much as i loved the vault tracks (especially say dont go and now that we dont talk), i feel like jack antanoff is holding her back. it sounds like midnights (1989s version) and the songs felt pretty similar.

[@roberto-zw6ru]

just like Lana's fans it is easier to blame Jake than the artist themselves. Listen to the old versions if the changes disturb you personally.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Not “Jake” 😭 but tbh a lot of the disappointing rerecordings were produced by Rowe I will say that I’d have loved Dessner to have produced Say Don’t Go or have helped worked on Slut just to change things up! The Kidz Bop comment took me out!

[@paarthm9681]

@@EljohnMacaranasaaron desner on say don't go would end me! i want to hear that now. the antanoff produced tracks from the original did not disappoint though so makes me happy.

[@paarthm9681]

@@roberto-zw6rui will be listening to the ogs for style and new romantics. i'm not completely blaming jack antanoff but only having one producer can make an album less sonically diverse and make the songs sound similar.

[@roberto-zw6ru]

I understand Style but to me the NR tv is better. the aaaaaahs are different @@paarthm9681

[@imyoubutareyoume2582]

The 13:13 duration of this video... genius!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

TY 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

[@BlackOutCannon]

Great video! This Love, Clean and You Are in Love are the tracks which have been improved for me and I prefer them over the original. Wonderland to an extent as well. It’s difficult to listen to the originals now. However, TV Style, Bad Blood and New Romantics I take issue with in some of the vocals, instrument choices, production and mixing generally. I very much prefer and enjoy listening to the originals and will regrettably continue listening to. The remainder of the track list I can accept. Some parts are arguably better than the original, such as the louder synths in How You Get the Girl, louder trumpets in Shake it Off and the ‘scream’ in I Know Places. Likewise, some parts are arguably worse, such as the guitar strums in How You Get The Girl not being as pronounced in my view. Overall, the tracks are tolerable and I will continue to listen to them. The vault tracks are all mid-tempo and a bit mediocre to me. I think Say Don’t Go fits most in the 1989 album and my favourite among the tracks, but nothing outstanding. I think a lot of people need to be reminded that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Not everyone has to like everything Taylor puts out. The originals were once Taylor’s creations, and re creating those works does not always mean it will be better. I’ve already purchased Taylor’s re recordings, but will continue to listen to the originals alongside them.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thanks! I had fun making this! Those one were well made but I agree with TV Style, BB, and New Romantics! Honestly I think it's OK to listen to the OGs especially if you have an older copy already tbh (I ripped my copy and have it saved as [Stolen Version] lol) Say Don't Go is my personal fave but the writing style's definitely way too old school to really fly on streaming nowadays.

[@saturn6563]

Blank Space (Taylor’s Version) ate and left crumbs with that AI generation

[@EljohnMacaranas]

NOT the AI 😭😭😭

[@cosmoslady]

While i do love this rerecorded version of the alum, minus a song or two, it's the vault I'm most disappointment in. I think it's her worst yet. All it does is give "tea" about her relationship with Harry. I don't listen to her for tea, I listen to her because she's an inedible songwriter that moves me in some way. This vault didn't move me at all. :( Makes me scared for Rep's Vault.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think the lack of Martin’s vault tracks is partly why I’m a bit sad about that. Rep’s Vault likely will be heartbreaking bc it’s likely a few songs about falling for Joe or the guilt of having to hide away for a bit.

[@osnofla2697]

1989 is my favorite Taylor album. The album improved in my opinion. Style is my favorite track, it kinda felt different in the first listen but I adjusted to it as time goes by. As of bad blood, I personally prefer Kendrick’s feature. Also, “Is it over now?” Is my favorite vault track. I love the album!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Is It Over Now? is truly such a good track! It’s probably the standout for me now 😭

[@henrywayne5724]

I am a massive Taylor fan and ngl, 1989 OG is one of her best albums. 1989 TV could as well be one of her worst imo. It was all downhill from Welcome To New York TV for me. I genuinely couldn't believe how horrible Style TV sounded. I Wish You Would sounds sad rather than "intense longing". Her vocal delivery was so nonchalant you'd think she was doing karaoke. The "ahh-ahhhs" in New Romantics were giving dentist appointment. There were some great moments such as the more pronounced vocal layering in OOTW and You're In Love, and she put her whole 1989-ussy into Bad Blood, but overall 1989 TV falls flat compared to the original. Some Swifties have been telling me to turn off my equalizer or tweak with my Spotify settings but if that needs to be done for the songs to sound remotely tolerable, then it's clearly a Taylor problem imo. Sorry Taytay, but I'm sticking with Scooter on this one, you're a billionaire, you'll be fine💀. I'm scared for half of Reputation which was done by Max Martin. If the intricacies of 1989 were difficult to replicate, then unfortunately, Rep will be worse off imo. Christopher Rowe is a country producer first and foremost. The vault tracks were...interesting. 4 of them sounded like they'd fit on Midnights imo in both production and writing style. Slut! was a welcome addition but I definitely understand why it was cut out from the original 1989. Say Don't Go is definitely Clean's sister song. The verses on Now That We Don't Talk give me a blend of Question...? and Fearless. Suburban Legends sounds a lot like Mastermind and Is It Over Now?, while definitely Out Of The Woods sister song, also has elements of Labyrinth, Death By A Thousand Cuts and to some extent, You're Losing Me. I think in the process of recording so much music at once, Taylor is recycling melodies and Jack's production style has grown predictable imo. Oh well, had a lot to get out of my chest. I recognize this will be an unpopular opinion and Taylor is too big to fail at this point. I'll be streaming the originals without hesitation.

[@MeganiumForever]

I was extremely disappointed with this album too. I don't like any of the vault tracks either. I was heartbroken.

[@cherylzaccone9685]

@@MeganiumForever Same - especially the vault songs, they just lack in intros and no bridges. Maybe she needs to take a breath and just move on from her past.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think all of this is fair. Like Rep is probably going to be a breaking point for some regarding listening to the OGs or the TVs (I don’t fault anyone for preferring the originals or still listening to them.) Christopher Rowe did a fine job with the country stuff but I’m certain there are a couple of Martin disciples that could have helped (assuming they weren’t booked.) As for the Vaults I’m like half convinced a couple of them are Midnights outtakes pieced together with some ideas or lines she wrote during 1989. But I really respect and love the fact you typed this comment out. The passion you have for the music really genuinely reminds me why I don’t entirely hate the internet!

[@MeganiumForever]

@@EljohnMacaranas This does have me scared for Reputation since it's my second favorite Taylor album. And I LOVE the sass, energy, and attitude she gives to it. I may just listen to the vault tracks and not play with perfection. I think I'm just going to stick with the og for 1989 too.

[@henrywayne5724]

@@EljohnMacaranas Thank you for the lovely reply! The thing is there are so many Max disciples that I believe would have done a better job in recreating this one (her bestie Ed Sheeran could have hooked her up with say, Benny Blanco or something) I think Taylor has grown complacent with her small circle of collaborators so she's doing everything in-house. I hope she knows it's OK to branch out more and not girl-boss her way through everything (including her own music videos tbh) I've heard the reason Max is absent is because he finds the whole rerecording process creatively unfulfilling and I get that tbh. I love her work with Jack, but I think he's been her work husband long enough. I'd kill for a Taylor x Rick Rubin album lol!

[@TheMelenium]

For me I feel like the first 3 tracks (WTNY, Blank Space and Style) just don't hit the same. Maybe it's because they are so iconic for the 1989 era? But as I kept listening I LOVED AYHTDWS, I know places, HYGTG, and Wonderland! They feel so much better to me and even more strong. Bad blood seems off like it feels very echoed and hard to listen to. YAIL honestly feels very similar but thats a good thing. New romantics I love the original but it sounds like kidz bop and also hard to listen to. As for the vault, I love all of them except Suburban Legends, which just feels forgettable but it's not a bad song. I agree with others that it sounds like Midnights but I don't really think it's a bad thing. Final thoughts I think HYGTG is my fav

[@EljohnMacaranas]

How You Get The Girl was amazing like Wonderland and All You Had to Do Was Stay, this was for the deep cut fans! 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 but yeah the singles like Style and Blank Space def sounded so off and it’s a shame the exact machinery of those tracks didn’t get carried over

[@123theprodigy5]

@@EljohnMacaranas it’s a mixed bag for me, I hate how shake it off sounds.

[@TheMelenium]

@@123theprodigy5 Agree, although I've never really been a fan of shake it off so it doesn't disappoint me too much unlike some others like NR or Style

[@alexiswalsh9112]

top comment for sure

[@giofrancotrain18essence]

Well, Max Shellback didn't collab w taylor on 1989 tv this time, because he demanded high price for producing the songs, so sad.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

😭😭😭

[@giofrancotrain18essence]

@@EljohnMacaranas why didn't they collab that's pop history

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Someone in another comment mentioned Max just didn’t have the capacity and hasn’t produced as much music as of the late because he’s slowing down

[@Its_redseason]

I think this album is fun. I liked it. To be honest I was really scared of this re recording because I was afraid that she might mess up my childhood song: Shake it off. But I am so glad she did justice to that track and the others. However, I think I need more time with 1989. Yeah, Style, Blank Space and New romantics on my first listen was so weird. I was like "Huh?" but I danced to them anyway lol. I don't want to jump into conclusions like "Oh, Speak Now is way better than 1989 🤪" "I'd rather listen to Superman than Style 😜" when I only listened to it for 2 days. So maybe I'll end up loving it 💙

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Shake it Off genuinely felt so magical to me not gonna lie. But those three you mentioned have everyone’s sticking points! But honestly yeah give it some time!

[@katg5547]

I'm gonna be hated for this, although I agree with you on "Out of the woods", but in general I prefer original version, maybe because 1989 was my favorite album, I had high standards on this album, but I prefer the original. I think she put so much effort in Red, and in 1989 It's like she did everything in one night, maybe because she was at the same time on tour. Although I prefer this version of "New Romantics" but I prefer the old version of "Style", and "Shake it Off", plus, I do like the vault tracks, but they sound similar and have more like "Folklore/Midnights" style, than the 1989 essence.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We don’t judge here! Honestly, I was glad to see a few people say they loved the original better. And we really can’t help how we feel about music. Also agreed on Vaults!

[@thiagoteles980]

1989 is Taylor´s best album in my opinion. It´s iconic and great! The Re-recorded album is great as well, I just have a complaint regarding New Romantics. The original version is better. But we can live without it. The Vault Tracks are very good. I think the songs are too influenced by Jack´s latest production and don´t have the soul of 1989. They easily fit in Midnights. Maybe it´s time to Jack to take some rest. Say Don´t Go and Is It Over Now? are the best new tracks.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

1989's such a well engineered album! I think we need another 1989/Rep in the sense that Jack's one of 2 major producers on the record (aside from Taylor), these records had a couple of varied producers. But I think she'll triple down on Jack if she wins AOTY at the grammys which is looking very likely. AAAH we have the same 2 fave vaults!!!!

[@SebzDevYT]

GORL!!! The Hell No's and Headphones reference!!! I STAN!!! WE STAN!!! YASS!! Don't worry girlie, i got you, that was an underrated EP.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Hahaha, I miss Hailee so much as a musician, amazing actress but man 8 years and no album 😭

[@swiftayzzz]

i love the fact you made the video's length 13:13 XDD

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m crazy but I’m free 😭

[@adiawasthi4589]

Im sorry to say but im disillusioned by Vault tracks.I never listen to re recordings to begin with(i have ogs downloaded all be4 so i listen them offline without profiting owners of same),they just dont replicate those emotions which ogs does despite better production & vocal improvement. But this TV in particular left me disenchanted.They are really messed up & out of place for an album with finest pop & infectious synths. "S/ut!" is good but fact it was in point of contention with"Blank space"2 be final cut is laughable 4 me. This is only re recording which i can say im glad no TV made og cut.As og album tracklist is untouchable. Surprisingly previous re recordings have better FTV,even Fearless which i dont listen to.They do have tracks that could've made final cut & even replace an og track Fearless TV:Mr Perfectly fine Red TV:Nothing new SN TV:I can see you,Castles Crumbling Hope Rep TV slays.Im most excited abt it.Have really high expectations

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It's definitely because Max didn't license or sign off on any 1989 Vault Tracks that were his probably.

[@dessieangel1021]

To me, the album sounds fuller. Her voice is recognizable, but also crisper. She sounds rounder. Not as nasally either. She has more power behind it I think

[@EljohnMacaranas]

There definitely was some vocal strain on the original which can be charming but hearing her belt freely on I Know Places… perfection

[@charliebowles9456]

I will always love the writing in Clean and New Romantics but the new instrumentals and vocal styles left me disappointed. I'm going to try and get closer with the Taylor's Versions but they just don't do it for me how they used to. Same as with Last Kiss, I used to like the song but now I almost always skip it.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh Last Kiss’ lack of shaky breath nearly killed that song for me 😭

[@poemofmymind]

I do think this version of 1989 is fundamentally different from the original but in the end I prefer Taylor's Version a lot more! Red (TV) is still my favorite and the vault tracks on that one are also my favorite still but I think the 1989 vault is just phenomenal as well. The New Romantics rerecord is definitely a little disappointing, but besides that I think the tracks that aren't exactly the same still hold up pretty well. How You Get the Girl has always been one of my underrated favorites and I'm so glad to see it shine!! (Also I rock with the Hell Nos and Headphones reference!! I genuinely think HAIZ is a strong debut EP)

[@EljohnMacaranas]

HYGTG has been getting the love I felt for years it lacked because of the TV which genuinely has made me very happy! Red's Vault tracks really did substantially feel bigger (just the variety I suppose). As for HAIZ, it's a shame we still have not gotten the album. But I reckon Steinfeld's just too in demand as an actress.

[@br00ke.f1lms]

Shake it off sounds weird imo. Style sounds forced. New Romantics was just better not re-recorded. Some vocals were off. Miss the NYC vibe. But over all loved it lmao😭

[@123theprodigy5]

Shake it off really does sound weird, I don’t like it that much. The vocals sound way too overproduced, and the high hats and drums sound completely different.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

This felt like an LA version of this album like a Hollywood recreation

[@br00ke.f1lms]

@@EljohnMacaranas yeah

[@br00ke.f1lms]

@@123theprodigy5 Fr like I sounds like it has a echo

[@k74728]

I am not a 1989 fan, but I appreciate the improvement in her vocal technique. Off the entire album, the only song I can say I genuinely enjoy and want to keep listening to is "Slut!". It's ironic to me that this is Taylor's most iconic album, but it's my least favorite out of all of them.

[@westernless97]

agreed

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think that's fair! 1989 was meant to sort of be a simple, everyone will get it record. It lacks the groves and curves that Rep, Lover, Folklore, Lover, and Midnights have. It's sorta like an unevolved Eevee and the rest of the albums that spawned are its evolutions.

[@Joel-nm6xn]

Personally (and hopefully people agree with my unpopular opinion) I love both the OG 1989 and 1989 tv. There's just some sounds here and there that she replaced. Can someone please agree with me that the guitar in I Wish You Would is so off! The og is better and Idk why but the ahh-ahh- ahhhh in New Romantics sounds off too. Maybe it's just me but yeah

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I plan to mix and match (stolen CDRip from 2014 isn't going to make scooter any money tbh) but yeah that guitar sounds more like a "live version". The Ahhs in NRTV def sound off and were the most disappointing change for me tbh.

[@ASCENSIONZONE]

I feel many became acustomed to the OG Style sound and now its more nostalgia specially if school, a breakup, a passing was involved. The TV Style has 2022/3 instruments, her voice has matured but she is a master at doing re recordings sound 99.9% like the OG!! Man she is good! Just as reference look up any other artist re recording Adina Howard "Freak Like Me" listen to both the OG and the Re recorded one its so cringy its basically unlistenable 😂 But yes these songs have deep nostalgia attachments to them, thats why many of us with a musical ear (those of us that get goosebumps when we hear a song that transports us to a time and place), will hear any difference in the TV versions and pin point them immediately and unlike it 😅 I personally loved it. I love 1989 its my favorite and only album i like from Taylor Swift im by no means a swiftie but 1989 got me its such an Iconic album! And the 1989 was my favorite tour of hers. I know the eras tour is bigger, longer and has more impact but nothing touches how she had a different singer/band on each night join her on stage ❤. Also "Style" was performed fully with the runway omg ❤❤❤ Now i know she is on tour, but just imagine if she did a "money cant buy" one night only 1989 concert to perform the album entirely and air it on a network channel on thanksgiving 🎉🎉 I may become a full fan lol.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The smallest details definitely change because tools and things from the past get lost or replaced. I tried looking for old instagram filters from 2014 I used a bunch and they’re gone haha! What more certain synths or like drums kits? I’m impressed most of these do sound pretty close! TBH the 1989 World Tour is up in parts on KZbin in 4K and I don’t think BMR owns that. I’d love a 1989 one night show though.

[@cherylreinell857]

This rerecord is even better!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’ve adjusted to the rerecording so fast! 😭

[@nomanisanisland117]

*me, one second into this video*: 13 minutes and 13 seconds long. i see you, eljohn. i see you

[@EljohnMacaranas]

sometimes you record the audio and you see you're like only 10 seconds away from the angel numbers

[@HeyHey-jb4im]

The I way I was looking forward to style 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Same but I found a cute edit of her new amazing vocals over the OG so 😀

[@kartkaesque]

I wish Max Martin returned even if it was just for producing the vault tracks

[@EljohnMacaranas]

He withheld his Vault tracks allegedly 😭

[@simplymatt13]

EXACTLY

[@EljohnMacaranas]

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

[@missmoonchild3865]

We need Max Martin's lil ass to come fix the ruined re-records.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We need him to at the very least take a peek at Reputation because Ready For It is arguably one of his most intricate productions ever 😭

[@chunli6197]

i wish u would,how to get the girl and all you had to do was stay are really close,style and ik places are nopes

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Style for sure is a miss like I found a version with TV a capella over the OG instrumental and that’s the version I have in my library 😭

[@oscarundevall2108]

I´ve really been trying getting used to Style TV but as soon as the lyric "That you´ve been out and about with some other girl. Some other girl" It sounds like that voice filter youtubers used to use when they wanted to sound upset or surprised and she looses me. Also the last "Some other Girl" fells like it was jut put in as an afterthought but with the volume turned up and not the emotion the lyric is portraying. Some tracks are amazing like OUTW and "I know places" but she did Style dirty IMO.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

To be fair it’s nigh impossible recapturing the magic of those 2014 takes like to even come 70% there is impressive to me

[@oscarundevall2108]

@@EljohnMacaranas for sure 👌 also who am I to complain. I couldn’t have done it better. But my 1989 playlist will be mixed with old and new versions depending on the song.