On Oct. 27, Taylor Swift released “1989 – Taylor’s Version.” Just like I did for her rerelease of “Speak Now,” I have decided to listen to the album and give my honest thoughts and views on each song. Without further ado, here are my opinions  on “1989 – Taylor’s Version”

“1989 – Taylor’s Version” 

1.) “Welcome To New York” 

Favorite Quote: “Like any real love, it’s ever changing” 

Thoughts: What a way to start an album! “Welcome To New York” is an upbeat and exciting song that could make anyone eager to listen to the full album. Taylor Swift never disappoints when it comes to opening songs. “Welcome To New York”  is no exception. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

2.) “Blank Space” 

Favorite Quote: “Darling,  I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream” 

Thoughts: If my childhood could be wrapped into one song, it would be this one. I have vivid memories of screaming this song at the top of my lungs and annoying everyone around me, but I have no regrets. Although many have considered this song “overrated” the older I get, the less inclined I am to agree. Although it is one of Swift’s most popular, that doesn’t mean it is a bad song. It is popular for a reason. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3.) “Style” 

Favorite Quote: “When we go crashing down, we come back every time” 

Thoughts: Arguably one of the most well known songs from this album and even now it is still a wonderful song, but it doesn’t hit the way it used to for me. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a fun and sing-worthy piece, but the older I get, it just doesn’t feel the same way it did when I was younger. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

4.) “Out Of The Woods” 

Favorite Quote: “The rest of the world was black and white, but we were in screaming color” 

Thoughts: If I had to name an underrated song from this album, this song would 100% be on the list. When I was younger, I wasn’t a big fan of this track, but now that I have a better understanding of what it is truly about, I love it so much. The repetitiveness might be irritating and confusing at first, but, when the perspective of the song being about anxiety comes into play, it suddenly all falls into place. The consistency of the question, “Are we out of the woods?” is much like any battle with anxiety. Is it over? Am I free? The continuous stream of questions is never ending, and that is reflected perfectly throughout this song. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5.) “All You Had To Do Was Stay” 

Favorite Quote: “People like me are gone forever when you say goodbye” 

Thoughts: I can’t put into words how much I love this song. The lyrics, the vocals, everything is just amazing. Swift truly knows how to write a catchy song with fantastic messages. “All You Had To Do Was Stay” is no exception. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

6.) “Shake It Off” 

Favorite Quote: “I go on too many dates, but I can’t make them stay” 

Thoughts: Did you have a childhood if you didn’t listen to this song all the time? I might not have always comprehended the message behind the lyrics, but I know with heart and soul that I sang this song like there was no tomorrow every time I heard it. Although many consider it “overhyped,” I think it is often forgotten that just because something is overhyped, doesn’t mean it isn’t good. “Shake It Off” isn’t my favorite song of hers, but it was a piece of my childhood that I loved. But, what I love more is seeing my younger sister fall in love with Taylor Swift through this song. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

7.)“I Wish You Would” 

Favorite Quote: “We’re a crooked love” 

Thoughts: “1989” is famous for its upbeat and memorable songs and “I Wish You Would” fits that bill perfectly, but seems to be forgotten. One of my favorite things about Swift’s music is how no matter what stage of life you are currently in, there is always a song to relate to. Whether it is an energetic song or a slow ballad, there is always a song to connect to. “1989” blends both the sad and lonely with that energy that is unique to Swift. “I Wish You Would” is a prime example. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

8.)“Bad Blood” 

Favorite Quote: “Band – aids don’t fix bullet holes”  

Thoughts: The original music video for this song was my favorite to watch when I was little. I would sit and watch it on repeat for hours. Something about it just spoke to me. Whenever I was upset, I would go to my room and belt this song out at the top of my lungs. Did it fix my childhood problems? That’s beside the point. “Bad Blood” might not have fixed anything physically, but it fixed my tiny youthful heart. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

9.) “Wildest Dreams” 

Favorite Quote: “Say you’ll remember me” 

Thoughts: It is entirely due to this song that my expectations are too high. “Wildest Dreams” was another song that just played a major role in my childhood. I grew up dancing in my room singing about how I hope they will remember me. This song was such a critical piece in creating the hopeless romantic that I now am. I can’t express how much I love this song. Let’s just say the child in me is quite overjoyed at hearing this song now. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

10.) “How You Get The Girl” 

Favorite Quote: “Broke your heart, I’ll put it back together” 

Thoughts: Although not my favorite song, I definitely won’t skip this song when it comes on. The lyrics blend regret and happiness together beautifully. This is another prime example of how Swift makes songs that could’ve been sad and heartbroken ballads and twists them to get the message across in a fun and lighthearted and uplifting song. Her heart is on her sleeve in each song and it shows. “How You Get The Girl” shows just that. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

   11.) “This Love” 

Favorite Quote: “When you’re young, you just run”

Thoughts: Although I like this song, unfortunately it just doesn’t work for me the way many other songs on this album do. I love the lyrics, the song itself just falls flat. That doesn’t stop me from screaming the bridge at the top of my lungs every chance I get.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

   12.) “I Know Places” 

Favorite Quote: “Love’s a fragile little flame, it could burn out” 

Thoughts: Originally, I didn’t know this song existed. In fact, it wasn’t until I read “The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo” that I first heard it. When I’m reading, I love to find playlists that match my current read. When I found “I Know Places” on the playlist for this particular book, I adored it. It fit the novel and the main characters perfectly. The song is about two lovers who are trying to stay hidden from the paparazzi and run away. I feel it is a hidden gem of a song and should be recognized more. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 13.) “Clean” 

          Favorite Quote: “And by morning, gone was any trace of you, I think I am finally clean” 

          Thoughts: I called “Out Of The Woods” an underrated “1989” album song, but the truth is that “Clean” is not only the most underrated song on this album, it is one of Swift’s most underrated songs ever. It wasn’t until this past year that I came across this song. I had never heard anyone talk about it or heard it before. Then, one day, I decided to listen to it and the song melded its way into my heart and soul from the very first line. It isn’t just because “Clean” is a good song. It is because it reminded me of who I was and how far I’ve come. It gave me the chance to remember how strong I am and for that, I am indescribably grateful. “Clean” is hands down my favorite song on this album. 

          Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

14.) “Wonderland” 

 Favorite Quote: “You searched the world for something else to make you feel like what we had”

 Thoughts: This was one of the first songs from “1989” that I had ever heard when I was younger. The book nerd in me absolutely adored the bookish references throughout this song and overall found it an amazingly underrated song. I rarely ever hear anybody talk about this song and it saddens me because it is so incredible. 

 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

15.) “You Are In Love”

          Favorite Quote: “You are in love, true love” 

          Thoughts: How could I not love a good love ballad? The lyrics and the instrumental are just stunning and deserve more recognition. When I first heard this song, I didn’t enjoy it, but the more I listened to it, the more I loved it. 

          Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

16.) “New Romantics” 

         Favorite Quote:  “I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me” 

         Thoughts: “New Romantics” is one of my absolute favorite Taylor Swift songs. A large part of why I love it so much is because the lyrics are relatable. Often, people will say things about you and judge you for being yourself. People will always be judgemental. That doesn’t mean that you have to listen to them. There are always the people who will stick by your side through thick and thin. After all, “the best people in life are free.” 

         Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

17.) “Sl*t!”

         Favorite Quote: “In a world of boys, he’s a gentleman” 

         Thoughts: When I was first informed of the name of this song, I never expected it to be a love song. Plot twist of the year goes to this song. This song is adorable and fun, with a slight melancholy feel to it. However, it blends perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed this song and would love to see Swift come out with a music video for it. 

         Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

18.) “Say Don’t Go” 

          Favorite Quote: “I’m yours, but you’re not mine” 

          Thoughts: This song. That is all I can say. It is haunting and stunning and incredible. One of my favorite of the vault tracks for this album. Swift is the queen of breakup songs and this song is no different. “Say Don’t Go” is very reminiscent of my favorite song from her “Midnights” album, “You’re Losing Me.” This just made me love this song even more.  

           Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

19.) “Now That We Don’t Talk” 

         Favorite Quote: “The more I gave you brought me less” 

         Thoughts: Another amazing and complex song. Swift never disappoints when it comes to vault tracks. This is another prime example of a song that could have been very sad and depressing, but gets turned into a catchy and energetic song. It works perfectly and is just amazing. 

          Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

20.) “Suburban Legends” 

          Favorite Quote: “I broke my own ‘cause you were too polite to do it” 

          Thoughts: This song is very similar to both “New Romantics” and “Long Live” (“Speak Now”). Considering both of those are favorites of mine, this song holds a place in my heart as well. I love the lyrics and the memorable energy of this song. 

          Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

21.) “Is It Over Now?” 

         Favorite Quote: “Was it over then, and is it over now?” 

         Thoughts: This song had no right to make me cry when I first listened to it. Although it is very upbeat in some ways, when I listened closer and paid attention to the lyrics, it hit in a way I didn’t expect. But, that wasn’t in a bad way. It is a beautiful song and I love listening to it whenever it comes on. 

         Rating: ⭐⭐⭐