A COMPLETE HISTORY OF 1989 🩵 👀 The Untold Story of Taylor's Magnum Opus

[@numberoneflop]

Zack is truly the most underrated creator. Every video essay is so articulate, and every unserious video is just as entertaining. Keep doing what you’re doing Zack! We love the videos ❤️

[@theswiftologist]

tysm

[@marynadvarachenka2767]

I was actually shocked to find out he’s under 100k subs. The quality is on the 500k level at least

[@tayluvofficial]

​@@marynadvarachenka2767true! We need to support him so he can reach 1M!❤❤

[@JackANDJude]

he's fantastic

[@jackielehman8945]

Agreeeeeed

[@123redlight_]

literally swiftologists are the most well fed fandom on the internet

[@theswiftologist]

TEA...

[@strawberryfeilds3399]

Aside from Swifties ofc…

[@booklovershourya1046]

@@strawberryfeilds3399 technically no because swiftologists are swifties so they get zack

[@tjc4085]

5:00 one thing for sure is Taylor’s old music, as teenage and high school-ish as it was, has aged pretty well. Not sure if all people feel like this but listening to them back now has this cosy, nostalgic feel to it.. as you do when you watch your fave movies that are classics from your childhood

[@macymiller3417]

100%

[@jon.callaghan4165]

Not only did Taylor invent the concepts of the girlboss and having a SQUAD during 1989, but she also invented two piece outfits, spray tans, anna wintour's hair and perfect pop music. Such a pioneer, we have to stan 🤗🙌🏻

[@theswiftologist]

she literally invented having cats

[@Kikidevo1966]

@@theswiftologistLOL; You Slay, Zach. 😂

[@Anastasia_110]

She invented a year!

[@Beaglegirl19]

@@theswiftologist I am a cat mom because of her. She made cat moms so iconic.

[@imnotfine.]

Cringe

[@wearlucinda]

saying "the feminism she learned from Lena Dunham" each time you mention her feminism is SO funny

[@theswiftologist]

LMAO I can't resist!

[@nigel7880]

Zack, darling, you do understand that your videos are quite literally *intelligence briefs,* right? Like, three-letter-agency dossier reports. It's beyond dish, it's reconnaissance with intelligent analysis. You are basically an asset. That said, I love your work; you are truly brilliant.

[@theswiftologist]

hahahaha thank you!!!

[@katiesays]

Blank space cemented me in as a fan. I remember hearing it for the first time and thinking, “she is insane… I love her” and also “I don’t know what Starbucks lovers means, but I won’t read into it any further”. 😂

[@theswiftologist]

LMAO

[@justwonder1404]

I'm genuinely surprised the fandom didn't come up with some definition for a 'Starbucks lover' at this point, considering how many people heard that.

[@soaribb32]

​@@justwonder1404 I don't know how she didn't make a Starbucks commercial yet.

[@kitarin7]

Thanks for such an articulate, fast-paced and knowledgeable look back at this era. I'm so excited to hear 1989 TV next week - Out of the Woods has always been my favorite and I'm hoping it's not wrecked! Happy early birthday and I can't wait to hear your reaction to it!

[@heabooktubes]

I particularly liked all of the industry information, something that I think gets skipped a lot in informative videos about her eras. ♥️

[@theswiftologist]

Thanks for noticing !! I always try to shove that in these kinds of breakdowns 😂

[@palemoonlight96]

Your analyses on Lana and Taylor are always brilliant, my two absolute favorite artists and you always create the best presentations on them with countless amazing points, swiftologist 4 the win!! ❤❤

[@theswiftologist]

Wow, thank you!

[@blenhardt1245]

I first heard it as “I’ve got a lot of Starbucks lovers”, too!! 🤣

[@paolo2411]

I've been a swiftie since 2012 and witnessing the 1989 era in real time in 2014 is still an unmatched experience to this day tbh

[@theswiftologist]

YUP

[@marissaemily8452]

I love how you always match the vibe of the video with your shirt. It also blows me away that you can do all this in one day, an inspiration 💙

[@theswiftologist]

omg thanks and its not advisable to do this all in one day I almost perished...

[@carolinemcgovern4488]

1989 was to me the first time I sat up and took notice of her- especially the radio signals. (Blank Space My Beloved has a very special place in my heart as one of the first songs that made me realise how special she is. Unfortunately I kind of forgot about her around 2016 until 2020 when Folkevermore came out and I started falling in love with her again.

[@alexreax1230]

Same as me kinda!

[@lilmild5747]

could you make a video about the 1989 world tour? and like the iconicness (thats not a word lol) and the mental struggles that she had during it?

[@davidcremin3837]

It's so interesting to watch Taylors rise to almost impossible levels of stardom and the fact that 1989 hasn't even been released yet is insane.

[@emilykie8874]

I’m so excited for 1989TV!!! And I’m so excited for all your 1989TV content!! Thanks for the video, Zach. You’ll always be my favorite swiftie 🤭🥰

[@theswiftologist]

can't wait to celebrate 1989 tv the re up w all of you !!

[@lunawolf6288]

Same 💚 💛 💜 ❤️ 💙 🖤 💖 🖤 💛 💙

[@lakenwallar4428]

You are one of the best Swiftie creators. I love your attention to detail. You also TEACH very well. Journalist come through lol

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

Zach why would you try to fit 7 episodes of Evolution Of A Snake into 1 KZbin video 😭😭😭

[@theswiftologist]

I love a challenge.....

[@paigeswidarski7005]

As a new Swiftie, I truly appreciate the work you’re doing! Catching up on the lore is a full time job and gets overwhelming, but you explain everything so clearly and objectively. Thank you!

[@amoghdoddamane1214]

Slayyy Swiftologist we cheered

[@TheSilverGarnet]

1989 is my favorite. It hit for me at a time when I was making a lot of changes in my life, so it was really great timing. My grandma also died around this time and I listened to “Clean” a lot to grieve the loss. I was really excited to Wildest Dreams and, of course, we already have it so I guess the next one I am excited for is Style ❤

[@alexmonks2120]

My absolute favourite Taylor Swift content creator. And who is SANE. I am sick of seeing these insane and delusional fans on my tl, and this channel is the BIGGEST breath of fresh air that this fandom desperately needed. Thank you so much.

[@VonnLowe]

1989 is ranked #1 for me out of her discography, and I'm most excited to hear All You Had To Do Was Stay rerecorded!

[@theswiftologist]

ME TOO

[@meriboberi]

I want to really emphasize what pulling her music from streaming did for this album, too. I didn't buy the CD, so every time a new song came out I was ALL OVER the music videos and the radio listening to it. 1989 as a whole was a mystery, but every song that was released was such a banger. I had a list of music I wanted to buy when I was no longer a starving post-college grad, and 1989 was at the top of my list.

[@paullopez2021]

I was working a part-time $8/hr job and going to school full-time. The CD cost 3 hours worth of work for me, after tax. I don't blame you for not buying it immediately.

[@emmmma143]

I literally got an iPhone because I was sick of using my iPod for music, where I had bought all her albums, but using an android for a phone

[@Beaglegirl19]

I am most excited to hear Style (Taylor's Version). Style is one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs of all time and it's going to be interesting to hear the Taylor's Version. Also, I am looking forward to hearing You Are in Love (Taylor's Version) too. I love that track and I know the Taylor's Version is going to be beautiful.

[@whatasillybilly]

Style is the best pop song of all time. Period.

[@HolyGround777]

I was truly shocked when this album first dropped, at first it was kind of disorienting, but because it was so focused like you said it ended up being one of my favorite albums of hers. I can’t wait to hear her reflect on this album when TV comes out!! Thank you for doing a channel wide 1989 countdown 🥳💜

[@Sacto1654]

I really want to hear how the _Taylor's Version_ sounds when the album reaches retailers on 27 October 2023. But given Swift's voice pretty much matured by the time the original album came out, I don't expect much in changes given that "Wildest Dreams" and "This Love," the TV versions already out as singles, sound almost identical to the original version.

[@burakpatan8453]

Thank you for the amazing video! I remember waiting All You Had To Do Was Stay to be a single but it never did ☹️ I guess I’m most excited about its TV

[@theswiftologist]

You're so welcome!

[@Vigilanteshitsupremancy]

The swiftologist always slays

[@theswiftologist]

So true

[@paullopez2021]

I could literally talk all day about 1989. No TS album will ever top it, for me. It was very contemporary yet groundbreaking for 2014, at the same time. Not many music critics talk about how the album builds on itself, stylistically. Blank Space was a next-gen version of early 10s electropop. Shake It Off fused this next-gen electropop with early 10s indie pop. Wildest Dreams mixed this next-gen electropop-indie pop fusion with early 80s soft rock.

[@rickzamboni]

This might sound kind of weird to you, but I just have to say it. I'm Brazilian and I teach English as a second language. I've been learning so much new vocabulary by watching your videos! The introduction in this video is a really rich resource for learning new lexis! hehe Thanks for this. And, obviously, thanks for bringing such relevant and creative content about Taylor!

[@lfior]

Love this ❤🎉

[@abigailb8206]

My favorite personal moment from the 1989 era was back when Starbucks had singles cards at the register for a random free iTunes download and one of those for me was This Love ❤️ back then I couldn’t really buy a ton of music so I replayed this love over and over (especially since she was off Spotify like you mentioned)

[@josephcormack7049]

'1989' is Taylor's best pop album by far and is in my personal top 3 (alongside folklore and Red!) I am most looking forward to hearing AYHTDWS (TV) even if I am terrified and almost certain that it will be botched.

[@alexnicole6806]

My third favorite album 🩵 and my favorite creator talking about pop perfection in the most articulate way

[@larissaschneider5578]

I literally cannot get enough of your content, Zack! Thank you for feeding us so well with this today.

[@theswiftologist]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Kairisliv]

When I think of Taylor I think of 1989 because of how sentimental it is. I listened to her before but this was when I started to love her and I am so excited for 1989 tv

[@brunetteXer]

+1, this is the album that took us from casual fans, to Swifties.

[@amoghdoddamane1214]

I love this thumbnail sooo much

[@theswiftologist]

tysm

[@kelseybowman5463]

Another thoughtful, articulate, and well researched piece. Thank you for being one of the few Taylor creators that is rooted in actual journalism and devoid of histrionics. You’re the only creator keeping me sane amidst the total and complete departure from reality that is happening in the Taylor universe right now! I find it interesting that each time she has had a poor showing at the Grammy’s, she resolves to “make a better album” as she said in Miss Americana after Reputation was not nominated in any major categories (a true injustice). Though Red, imo, was also done wrong by the music industry at the time, especially considering the critical praise it has received in past few years. Also, the comparisons to Joni Mitchell are so interesting, I have seen 1989 ranked 2nd only to Blue on more than one list of best female albums of all time (pre-folklore), not sure if you agree but definitely interesting to me! (note- don’t have the source for that off the top of my head, but I will look for it-forgive me for not properly sourcing!) Thanks for the wonderful content, as usual!

[@victoriarooks784]

Ok so i just saw a article saying 1989 is the album of the century.I think that should be rephrased as one of the best.On a another note katy's darkhorse wasnt just a generic pop song it had influence."It cemented trap music's place on the chart"-billboard

[@Izzywildflowerr]

ughhhh i’m just so excited for 1989tv so thanks for the video zack! nobody’s ready for the person i’m gonna be after hearing new romantics and clean tv 😂

[@theswiftologist]

so so so unbelievably true queen

[@ds02906]

Ikr clean is so underrated and I don't understand why😭🩵🩵

[@jonathanchristopher7809]

My favourite Taylor Swift and my favourite I repeat favourite pop album I am going to stream the hell out of this album I just can't wait 💙💙

[@theswiftologist]

we need more of you !!

[@maxfenby7228]

i am DYING to hear Style (Taylor’s Version) but at the same time i’m like taylor can keep it coz i’m scared and i need it to be identical with not a hair on its head out of place 😭

[@ikywTROUBLE]

LITERALLY

[@spinacho9342]

the thumbnails lately are serving

[@theswiftologist]

thank u !! im working on them

[@talieateste2405]

6:17.. the caption is a quote from an e.e. cummings poem, i'm sure you know but in case anyone was curious :)

[@tjc4085]

In some ways, I think Taylor’s days of making pop bangers that everyone loves including her non-fans, kinda peaked and ended at 1989. After that, we didn’t get upbeat songs that were anywhere as good.

[@reneeh143]

Such a strong video, as always! This re-recording is one of my most anticipated-not because it’s my personal favorite, but because this is when I fell off the Taylor train as a fan. At the time, 1989 felt too “commercial pop” for me and I felt it was inferior to her singer-songwriter style. Now that I’m less prejudiced against Taylor’s pop inclinations, I’m SO excited to visit this album with a completely new perspective!

[@gilliancurrie4389]

I don’t know if this would ever happen but I would honestly love an “I Wish You Would” music video that’s just Taylor standing up in the back seat of a convertible car going 90 on a highway at night. Very Bleechers/Perks of Being a Wallflower vibe and mixed with Sydney Sweeney in the new Rolling Stones ad.

[@ds02906]

Was waiting for your 1989 content🩵🩵 Love this video!!!! And I'm so excited for 1989 tv!!! Can't wait to scream my lungs out and further awaiting for more of your 1989 content 🩵🩵 so excited to rediscover this era all over again with ofc our very beloved swiftologist!!!!

[@nataliaf.6289]

04:09 you think thats why she is using the word chaotic a lot to talk about 1989? Maybe the vault tracks were cut bc she did a neat album, very well rounded, and it would be chaotic like red if she released all? ps. in my opinion, taylor till red was very genuine, very true in her songs, was less like a game of references and more like an open letter. She didnt really thought trought her releases in the big picture, in the grammys. She made a ton of music and wanted to release all that they let her. But in 1989 she was more cynical, playing the game NYC style. Still a dreamer but ambitious.

[@ivycream7228]

Hey Zach r u going to do a video about the eras tour film?

[@theswiftologist]

It doesn’t come out here until November so I haven’t seen it

[@lenaharman1343]

Video idea: make a video explaining each song in the eras tour in under 1 min per song. For all the non major fans to give them a little insight into what this is all about. I think this would get a lot of traction because you’re ultimately reaching new viewers, or the video is being sent by a fan of yours to someone they bought to the movie concert/ tour. It’s the perfect stepping stone into your deeper videos !

[@arnatsiaqqvist9768]

I would totally read a book by you if you did that on Taylor Swift

[@matheusmacario9423]

im sooooo ready for 1989tv

[@larafrtgs6965]

Thank you for all your entertainment! You help me get through the days with a brocken heart. 🙏

[@theswiftologist]

[@calebhamlett]

istg i am eating all of the 1989 shit up rn (i’m also subbed to ally sheehan)

[@luneblume4932]

i can't believe taylor swift invented pop

[@theswiftologist]

She literally did

[@giannas9845]

babe wake up swiftologist uploaded

[@theswiftologist]

real

[@tortured_poet1322]

Swiftolgist is the best Taylor swift fan channel argue with the wall

[@milaces1323]

As i commented on your last video, i thought i was too mature for Taylor's music when 1989 came out (wtf?!?) So i'm soo excited for 1989 TV and process it with the help of your smart, funny and critical lens 😊

[@sarafreitas6988]

I love her style during this era. :D

[@stubbs3023]

Hi great video and I can’t wait for the one next week ab Katy and Taylor ☕️

[@elisazouza]

We are being fed for 1989!!!!

[@missmegicana]

another slay worthy video, i can never get enough of hearing you talk 🩷

[@theswiftologist]

[@thisissarah815]

People took the video for Wildest Dreams completely out of context. That song is about Alexander Skarsgard whom she met on the set of The Giver in South Africa. So that’s why the MV was set in South Africa. That also explains why it was about shooting a movie and then the film premiere. She must have had a thing for him, and who wouldn’t, but he was in a very public relationship with Katie Holmes at the time.

[@neliaaa]

They were pictured together. I remember seeing pictures of them in a local magazine.

[@Porcelynnn]

I’m excited to see what she does with Target 👀 I did not get the pink album during presale quick enough! I was naive to think it wouldn’t sell out in the first hours lol

[@mangotango2286]

1989 ranks #3 for me (behind Red and Speak Now). I had to give the top 2 spots to the others because they resonate more with me lyrically and emotionally. 1989 is still a fantastic album with fun songs and stylistic beats. Can’t wait to hear TV ❤️

[@hey9925]

It's 3 for me as well ( behind rep and Speak Now)

[@JennyDavies153]

Excellent commentary. Thank you ❤

[@theswiftologist]

thanks for watching

[@jamie7027]

im ngl i cant wait to hear any of her debut songs rerecorded just to hear how much her voice has changed and grown im very excited to see that evolution

[@theswiftologist]

yeah that'll be cool

[@glockenspiel-ti1ms]

You never let us down

[@theswiftologist]

sooo true

[@alarmingtadpole4213]

I’m addicted to these videos lol, I need to just accept it and join the patreon 😅

[@meghansullivan6812]

Bro same

[@electraxcx]

i love ur content cant wait for the katy video😭

[@Gabreyes093]

I was in my melancholic phase of being a young adult in 2014, at 20, so 1989 didn't hit for me immediately. It was too much of a shift in sound from her and I was not in a upbeat pop moment in my life. Mind you I was still singing along to those catchy as hell singles on the radio. It took a few years for me to appreciate it's worth and love the airiness, yet depth of the album. Subjectively it ranks 5th in my ranking of her albums. I prefer the lyrically dense, immersive storytelling, and varying sonics of other albums. Objectively.. I totally understand it being in the top 3. It's impact on her career is undeniable. I am most excited to hear Welcome to New York. There are little production elements, and vocal adlibs I can't wait to here redone. My (not so) hot take: To Pimp A Butterfly should have one Album of the Year. I'll end it there because there is a lot that could be said about that.

[@paullopez2021]

I was real disappointed there wasn't another All Too Well on 1989. And like you, I was in a downbeat phase at 21. Upon first listen, 1989 sounded like 2014 Top 40 music from a parallel universe. It was an acquired taste for sure, since I didn't like the early 10s indie pop it took inspiration from, but I grew to love it. It's my #1 favorite album of hers. If ATW didn't receive the outpouring of love it got in 2021, I would've ranked Red as my #1 fav.

[@Gabreyes093]

@@paullopez2021 Red is my favorite album from her. Point. Blank. Period. I find it interesting that because others like All Too Well more now you do not like it as much

[@paullopez2021]

@@Gabreyes093 oh I LOVE ATW. no more or less than I did in 2012. but I 100% would've shown solidarity to ATW by ranking Red as my #1, if it had never gotten the love and recognition it always deserved.

[@Gabreyes093]

@@paullopez2021 Agree to disagree. Holy Ground (the original) is my favorite song of hers ever. That along with All Too Well, The Last Time, State of Grace, and the chart toppers make it an incredible album with a great narrative

[@askunz1]

Wow. The reporting rocks. Articulate, thoroughly packed with information, and efficiently fast. So fast I had to set back a couple of times to catch the detail. Thank you for the context, Z.

[@elenagerhardy2636]

Such a good album- back to back bangers. I’m so excited for the vaults. Looking forward to Zack’s reaction 😘

[@theswiftologist]

I can't wait to hear it!!!!!

[@drewrosen]

oh my god yes can’t wait to watch this

[@VEGAS-NERVE]

I am so excited for I Know Places TV

[@brunetteXer]

one of my fave non-single songs off 1989 is I Know Places, and this song is still as true today as it was then, even more so.

[@alex.bradford]

ZACH IS THEEEEEE JOURNALIST. Only one I can trust with our Swiftie info.🙏🏽💯

[@mariasemen5359]

That app was sooooo boring. Nothing going on but I kept trying to make something happen. As if a secret game would appear or something

[@400Lux]

you inspire me to be a bigger and better swiftie every day.. ..... thank you for the video, king!

[@theswiftologist]

Happy to hear that!

[@tammycombs167]

I could listen to you on loop. Love you work and that fab personality of yours. 🥰💖🙏

[@theswiftologist]

You're the best!

[@porthoz401]

When 1989 came out I was still very young so I was not into following very closely what she was doing specially on social media but I loved the album and it was my first time experiencing a TS album release. My favourites at the time were Bad Blood and Blank Space but Clean has grown on me so it is my probably my fav rn. And I´m really excited about Slut!

[@jillianwould1]

I am so excited for this album. Al.ostas excited as I was to finally see her and Beyonce together in a photo!❤

[@tinamardt7734]

This was also the height of YT music videos being watched so those singles with MVs was vital to expanding the casual listeners

[@theswiftologist]

great point!

[@NewFish07]

AHHH IM SO GLAD IM EARLYYY WAS JUST WATCHING OLD VIDS

[@theswiftologist]

well here ya go !!

[@alexreax1230]

I never considered myself a swiftie bc I never followed taylor as a person or had a vested interest in her at all but yet I was 25 I think when I frequently consumed you’re not sorry and white horse and then sparks fly and today was a fairytale and then in 2014 blank space because a defining song for a certain era in my life. I probably didn’t even know the name of the album and still I wasn’t following taylor but I must’ve listened to blank space straight continuously every day for 2 months , thoroughly enjoying your swiftie content tho not a swiftie but a consumer of some of her music

[@trashyaqua6239]

The devil works hard but the swiftologist works harder. This album is 2nd for me behind folklore in my personal ranking. But if someone were to tell me that 1989 was their favorite I wouldn’t argue against them because that’s an excellent choice honestly.

[@Phoenix-kr5yl]

I am so so SO excited and - at the same time - nervous about 1989 (Taylor’s Version). I was truly astonished by the delivery in Wildest Dreams TV and This Love TV + Out Of The Woods TV (and Sweeter Than Fiction TV) sound very promising! Can’t wait 🩵😭

[@danichiong6727]

Cyborg girl boss era let’s gooooooo 🎉 I’m so excited for 1989 TV

[@theswiftologist]

RETWEETTTTT

[@josephtafur]

The album that official got me into the music of Taylor Swift

[@knowledgeseeker713]

You could release a book series where you include all the stuff and tea from your podcasts and videos and I’d read them all

[@theswiftologist]

I would love to write a book someday :)

[@elisazouza]

I really hope Taylor Nation invite me to something one day 😊❤

[@levenopthoofd8917]

I feel like the blank space video was inspired by some love affaire her grandmother Marjorie had gone through. There's so many signs like her dark hair, the chair with marjorie on it, also note that in marjorie she sings 'all your closets of backlogged dreams' alomst mentioning the title wildest dreams

[@theswiftologist]

This is the single most deranged comment I have ever seen

[@jodibbmoli9319]

1989 is OVERRATED!! I think only posers love this album so much!!!

[@lindsaytubbs3523]

Didn’t she also hire Tree during this time after firing her old publicist?

[@roseelliott2728]

OOTW is my favorite from this album,I can’t wait to hear her version. ❤

[@shannonm6118]

Scott wanting to put 3 country songs on 1989 is WILD

[@brookelouise1561]

You're going to reach 50k from this vid, I can feel it! Loved the vid as always ❤

[@tvil8]

Most excited for Style🕺

[@juliet327]

Nooo the camera flipppp 😂😂😂🩵🩵🩵

[@theswiftologist]

We have to avoid the evil copyright overlords ….