‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ is another success for Swift

Cover art for 1989 (Taylor’s Version). 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 / 𝐈𝐌𝐃𝐛

Taylor Swift released the re-recorded version of her 2014 pop debut album 1989 on October 27, 2023. 

The album features 21 songs, including five that were unreleased in the original version. 1989, along with her first six studio albums, was released under contract with Big Machine Records. Swift signed a recording contract in 2005 and released her debut self-titled album in 2006. 

After a dispute with Big Machine Records over the ownership of her art, Swift began re-recording her first six albums. Her discography was copyrighted by the owner of Big Machine Records, Scooter Braun. In 2020, Braun sold Swift’s master recordings to Shamrock Holdings, provided he still made a profit off the albums. 

Swift stayed with Big Machine Records until 2018 when her contract expired. She would then sign with Republic Records.  Swift’s contract with Republic Records gives her ownership of the master recordings she makes under the new agreement. The album Lover was the first released under the new contract.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) is the fourth of Swift’s re-recorded albums. She first re-recorded Red, her fourth studio album, in 2021. 

1989 (Taylor’s Version) contains five “From the Vault” tracks that were not included in the original version of the album. The five tracks are “Slut,” “Say Don’t Go,” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Suburban Legends” and “Is It Over Now?” 

Shortly after dropping the new album, Swift released a Deluxe version, which contains a re-recording of Swift’s “Bad Blood” featuring Kendrick Lamar.

Swift’s release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) sold 3.5 million units in its first week. The album also sits at number one of the Billboard 200. Taylor Swift continues to break records with her music. She now officially owns all of her discography besides 2006’s Taylor Swift and 2017’s Reputation, which are currently in the works.