This album means a lot to me. It’s always been the album for hopeless romantics but also realists! With this re-record, I didn’t know if I wanted massive changes or just subtle ones. As long as my favourites aren’t altered too much (Girl At Home TV isn’t for me), I’d be happy! Here’s my review of Speak Now Taylor’s Version part 1.
Mine
It’s probably my least favourite opening song on any Taylor album, purely because it’s not as anthemic as others. That’s not to say I don’t like it, it’s a sweet song! Now with older vocals, it feels more like a flashback song, rather than a current memory. It doesn’t really feel like it’s been changed too much, which I actually think is a good thing because I always liked the original production on it.
Sparks Fly
I really like the enhanced guitar on this from the very beginning as well as the heavier ending verse. I’ve always loved the lyrics in the song as it feels like it could fit on the Fearless album but with more mature lyrics. For me, it doesn’t hit me as much as it used to. Maybe it worked better with the younger, more emotional vocals?
Back to December
Oooh, even more country than last time! Again, with the newer vocals, it sounds less dramatic than the original, purely because she’s moved on since! The original vocals sounded raw and angry. Do the instruments sound louder now or is it just me? I like the extra drama in parts, just maybe not when Taylor’s singing as it drowns out her voice too much, certainly during the choruses. We definitely got more emotion during the ending bridge, it was subtle but you definitely feel it!
Speak Now
I’ve always liked the storytelling in this song with it being funny, especially in the lyrics. It’s one of the songs that I’ve never thought really needed changing so I’m glad there weren’t many! I’ve always adored the background harmonies in Speak Now too, who doesn’t want to harmonise with themselves? They should’ve played this over Jackson/April’s runaway bride scene in Grey’s Anatomy.
Dear John
Do the vocals sound even more heart-wrenching now? Maybe because it’s the extra ten years of reflection. However, the emotions sound different. There’s still heartbreak in there but there’s also sadness and anger as she looks back. I imagine it was very cathartic to re-record, just like reading old diaries to see what feelings you were having at the time. Originally, it was just a girl dating an older man. Now, it feels like she fully understands just how inappropriate the relationship was. The lyrics have always been genius though.
Mean
I’ve always loved this song, purely because it’s a dig at Perez Hilton, the old celebrity blogger, who’s an arsehole. And how the lyrics mean so much more now, considering how much her career has catapulted! Even more country vibes (who doesn’t love banjos?) make me super excited to hear how she’ll re-record her debut album. I do like the vocals, although it sounds a bit choppy in the production in places.
The Story of Us
Ooh, the electric guitars at the start definitely sound sharper. This is the first song where the vocals sound quite a bit different throughout and I like that! The higher notes sound much more powerful as her voice has got stronger as she’s gotten older. It sounds a tad heavier/rockier than the original without overpowering the vocals, a big plus for me!
Never Grow Up
One of her saddest songs, it sounds a little different in the beginning but I don’t hate it. With older vocals, it just feels different and I don’t know how to explain it! That makes it more emotional because you’d definitely have different feelings singing it as a 20-something to a 30-something. It’s very nostalgic and will always be one song that makes me happy yet sad.
Enchanted
The original is probably in my top five Taylor songs of all time because the lyrics are so beautiful. Therefore, my expectations were fairly high to see how it would sound with a more mature voice. I have to say I was not disappointed as once again, it has more real emotion plus her vocals are stronger now. Her voice sounds so much clearer now, with less strain for slightly higher notes. I’m glad there isn’t much change because I’ve always liked the production of it too. This was my anthem in college as I dated a few guys who I thought were perfect, and alas, they were not! Oh for the trip down memory lane!
Better Than Revenge
Now onto the song with the most changes: a lyric! I personally don’t have an issue with it, mostly because it was always a little too on the nose. It’s a risk in a chorus though and will take some getting used to! However, I really love the production on this one. Again, the heavier guitars and drums add to the dramatic-ness and I’m okay with that! The vocals sound really strong on this too, better than her younger voice.
Innocent
Now we’re into the best trio of songs on the album (possibly my top three ever). Despite who this song was originally written about, it’s always been a favourite of mine. Unfortunately, now it could apply to so many people in Taylor’s life at some point. I believe that she’s at a similar age now to what Kanye was back then, making it even more poignant. It definitely feels more like she’s singing the song to all of those people who wronged her as well as herself and to us.
Haunted
My all-time favourite Taylor song and I still think it is! I’ve just always loved the dramatics of it and don’t think that will ever change. The only thing I don’t like is the echoed backing vocals, that will take some getting used to. However, I did like the extra strings added in places. I actually thought they could have increased the volume on the track, as some of the previous tracks were a little too loud for the vocals! The original song just shades it for me but it’s not a bad version, just a bit different.
Last Kiss
Another one of her most-heartbreaking songs that is criminally underrated, probably because we don’t necessarily know who it’s written about. I’ve always loved the softer side to this song, compared to the anger in other ‘ballads’. The production is still superb, but just a tad enhanced with the guitars. Again, the emotions feel different. Originally, they were sad and now it just feels like a reflection. Most of us have had one big heartbreak in our lives and it feels anthemic of that.
Long Live
This song means so much more now! I mean, just look how big she’s made it as an artist, I don’t think we’ll ever forget about you, Taylor! I’ve always felt it was a love letter to her band, her team, and her fans. It still feels that way yet means even more because she’s more famous than ever, yet so many of us are so loyal to her (including her band). Long live Taylor Swift! It’s the perfect song to shout out loud and I really hope to hear it on the Eras tour (I’m manifesting getting tickets).
When this album came out in 2010, I was going through college and experiencing love, lust, and heartbreak for the very first time (I went to an all-girls school until I was 16). I was just starting my first year at a second college after a ‘gap year’ (it’s a long story) and that’s when I really started to talk to boys. This album reflected all of my feelings at the time, even if I did fancy multiple boys at the time!
Speak Now Taylor’s Version part 1 was a look at the original tracks. For part 2, you’ll find the bonus and vault tracks. If you enjoyed this review of Speak Now Taylor’s Version part 1, be sure to check out my other reviews of her re-records. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram where I obsess over her daily!
