Red (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift Review

This is crazy. I’m so excited about this. 30 songs wtf it’s okay I love Taylor.

State of Grace (Taylor’s Version): I was so nervous about this re-recording. This was my favorite song off of Red, and I was worried that she wouldn’t do it right. I should never doubt Taylor, but I totally did. Anyway, she totally nailed it so I’m super happy. Of course I picked up on slight production changes, but nothing that ruins the song. She nailed it.

Red (Taylor’s Version): The snippet for this song made me nervous, but she really nailed this track too. I’m really happy about it because this song is really important. It might be the perfect song. I don’t if that’s up to me to decide.

Treacherous (Taylor’s Version): No complaints here. This song is so good. I love how it builds. Her mature vocals make it even better.

I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version): This was another one I was nervous about. I remember when I heard the snippet I wasn’t sold, but after hearing the whole thing I’m really happy with it. The production might be even better than the original and her vocals are great.

All Too Well (Taylor’s Version): This sounds even better with her mature vocals. I don’t know how often I’ll listen to it now that there’s a 10 minute option, but if I’m ever in a time crunch I guess I’ll choose this version. But seriously, this is one of the best songs ever made. Everyone agrees.

22 (Taylor’s Version): You can definitely tell the difference in vocals here, but not in a bad way. This song still goes hard. This song is so fun and it will always be a bop. Thank you.

I Almost Do (Taylor’s Version): I used to be an I Almost Do hater. That was crazy of me. This song is pretty good and I love the bridge. As for the re-recording, I think it’s better than the original. Her vocals are pretty much identical, but the production got better. I think.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version): I am literally devastated. This track definitely sounds the most different. Everything was fine until the chorus. The “weeeeee”s are just something else. I know that I will make myself listen to this song on repeat until I like it, but right now it's a hard pill to swallow. I feel like they could’ve tried a little harder there. It sounds so different. And not great. It sounds like Kidz Bop. I’m not okay. I was so hyped for this song.

Stay Stay Stay (Taylor’s Version): This song is just so silly and random. I’m not even hating, but I stay being baffled by this track. This song pretty much sounds the same. I still hate the laugh at the end. Makes me uncomfortable. That’s okay. Also, I saw someone said that this version is giving Christmas, and I agree.

The Last Time (Taylor’s Version) (feat. Gary Lightbody): I like this version better than the original. I think they sound really good together. Gary’s new vocals are better. I’m right. This song is really sad and beautiful. I love hearing both sides.

Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version): This song is great. Obviously. I think it pretty much sounds like the original, which is nice. She did a good job here.

Sad Beautiful Tragic (Taylor’s Version): I was so excited to hear this track. Her mature vocals have been waiting to re-record this song. I didn’t think it was possible for this song to get better but she did it. It’s so beautiful. Still giving Mazzy Star. Appreciate it.

The Lucky One (Taylor’s Version): Her voice sounds so beautiful on this track. So glad she was able to recreate that sound. The best part of this song is the lyrics. The storytelling is immaculate. I think people sleep on this track and they shouldn’t. I think this track and Nothing New go hand-in-hand.

Everything Has Changed (Taylor’s Version): This song is actually so good. Sometimes I get tired of it, but at the end of the day it’s a really good song. Taylor and Ed sound really nice together. This song is really cute and makes me happy.

Starlight (Taylor’s Version): I think her mature vocals have enhanced this song. I was never a Starlight girl before, but she really did something here. I feel like maybe she did some changes where the switch from the verse to chores wasn’t so jarring. That was the issue I used to have with this song. This version flows so much better I feel like.

Begin Again (Taylor’s Version): This song is so cute. It's a little sad, but also hopeful. She sounds so pretty. I can’t believe how he didn’t think she was funny. That’s so rude. It’s nice to hear a song sung by someone who’s so broken but is healing throughout the song. Only Taylor could do that.

The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version): Now that I’ve heard ATW (10 Minute Version) this song hits even harder. This sounds super similar to the original. Like the vocals are dead on in my opinion. I’ve always loved the lyrics in this song. It makes you feel like you were there. It’s very sad and you can feel her pain. My favorite is the second verse. It’s so descriptive and sad.

Come Back...Be Here (Taylor’s Version): I had a moment with this song this summer. It’s really sad. Like it makes me so sad.

Girl At Home (Taylor’s Version): You guys this version is leaps and bounds better than the original. Genuinely I hated Girl At Home. I thought it was so bad. The production on this re-recording really changes the whole vibe and I can appreciate the song so much better. The song used to be so repetitive but the pop production makes that easy to forgive.

State of Grace (Acoustic Version) (Taylor’s Version): I always thought it was interesting that she chose to do this song acoustic simply because the production on the main version is so good and vital to the song. But this version is also so beautiful. It allows listeners to focus on the lyrics. I don’t usually go to this song because it’s a little drawn out, but it’s still really good.

Ronan (Taylor’s Version): This has gotta be the saddest song ever written. It makes me ugly cry every time I hear it. The second verse always gets me good. I cry like a baby. And the lyric video. Can’t even talk about that. Nope.

Better Man (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault): I’m so glad she chose to include this song. They would always play the Little Big Town version at work and I always got super into it. I’m glad I have a Taylor version now. This song is super catchy and sad and beautifully written. I think it’s crazy that it didn’t make it onto the album originally.

Nothing New (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) (feat. Phoebe Bridgers): This is a beautiful song. And really sad. It really makes me realize how much Taylor was going through it leading up to this album back in the day. Like everyone was so mean to her and she was doubting herself and was also entering a scary time in her life. Phoebe sounds really pretty too. I love the lyrics. They’re gonna hit even harder some day.

Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault): I used to be bitter about this song because she chose this to be the surprise song at the Rep show I went to. And I’m still bitter about that. But this song is actually really good and super catchy. I’m really into it. I’m glad I have a Taylor version of this. I don’t want to hear those other people singing it. Thanks.

Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault): This song was a little shocking. It’s just so in your face pop. And unapologetically 2012. There’s no denying that. I can definitely understand why this got left off the album originally, but I still think it’s a pretty good song. Probably because it’s so catchy. I feel like this is about the same person that Come Back..Be Here is about.

I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) (feat. Chris Stapleton): When I first listened to this song the harmonica gave me whiplash. I didn’t really know how to feel. Now I’m big into it. I love how country it is. She even has her accent. The lyrics are great. She’s really going off. Especially at the end. Like there’s no denying this is about Mr. Jake and I think that’s funny. Chris Stapleton sounds nice with her too (big surprise).

Forever Winter (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault): I think everyone has a few Taylor Swift songs where you’re like “Wow did she spy on me and write this?” Like it really applies to a situation you’ve been in. This is one of those songs for me. I’m glad that it has upbeat production or else I might not be able to handle it. This song also has major 2012 vibes sound wise. But I’m obsessed with the tune. Super catchy.

Run (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) (feat. Ed Sheeran): Can’t believe I have to hear Ed twice on this album. I think this song is connected to Sad Beautiful Tragic, which is actually really sad if that’s true because this is a love song. Taylor sounds really pretty on this track. It’s not the most exciting track, but it’s very good.

The Very First Night (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault): Another 2012 pop track. It’s funny how I can feel nostalgic for something that I’m hearing for the first time. But it’s just so 2012. I think this song has the potential to make me sad, but it’s too upbeat. It’s really fun, though.

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault): There is just so much to unpack here. And I don’t think I’m ever going to get over this. The extra verses and shit she added were perfect. She made this song a million times more emotional. All the age gap stuff. She really went in. I honestly wonder what Mr. Jake is doing right now. I’d pay big money to see his reaction to this.

Final Ranking (this was impossible):

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

State Of Grace (Taylor’s Version)

All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)

Red (Taylor’s Version)

Ronan (Taylor’s Version)

Treacherous (Taylor’s Version)

Forever Winter (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version)

Better Man (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

Sad Beautiful Tragic (Taylor’s Version)

Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

Begin Again (Taylor’s Version)

22 (Taylor’s Version)

I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

Nothing New (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

The Lucky One (Taylor’s Version)

Come Back...Be Here (Taylor’s Version)

Everything Has Changed (Taylor’s Version)

The Last Time (Taylor’s Version)

The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version)

The Very First Night (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version)

I Almost Do (Taylor’s Version)

Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

State Of Grace (Acoustic Version) (Taylor’s Version)

Run (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

Starlight (Taylor’s Version)

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)

Girl At Home (Taylor’s Version)

Stay Stay Stay (Taylor’s Version)

She kinda killed it. Only one slip up in my opinion. And I’m so excited that all the vault tracks were hits. It gets a 9.05/10. bye