Taylor Swift’s Battle for Ownership: How This Journey Has Created a New Generation of Swifties
The all-time favorite country and pop icon, Taylor Swift is back in the studio re-recording her first six albums. Whether you know Swift from her spontaneous release of Folklore amid the coronavirus pandemic or you have been a Swiftie since the beginning, Taylor’s influence over the music industry is undeniable. Like any artist, Swift has had her musical and business mistakes, one of which she is currently reversing by re-releasing her first six albums.
To keep it simple, in 2005, up and coming Taylor Swift signed a record deal with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine records which lasted thirteen years. Through the release of Swift’s first six albums, her relationship with this label was unproblematic. It wasn’t until 2019 that Scooter Braun’s label, Ithaca, bought Big Machine Records –– the deal amassing over $300 million. At the time, Scooter Braun was known for representing some of the biggest names in music such as Justin Beiber, Ariana Grande, and Kanye West... Adding Taylor to this list was simply the cherry on top. Despite this purchase having a direct effect on Taylor’s future, she learned this news when the rest of the public did. This wasn’t the only incident that frustrated Swift, along with this business deal, Scooter now has complete ownership over her first six albums. Through years of complications and contract analysis, Swift found a loophole within the company’s tight investment-filled notions. Swift realized that by re-recording her original albums, she can regain full control over her masters. After a spontaneous release of Folklore and Evermore, Swift’s eighth and ninth albums, she was transported back into 2008, recording her second album, Fearless.
Fearless, Swift’s second album, features some of her biggest and most memorable tracks such as Love Story and You Belong With Me. In this chart-breaking album, Swift accurately intertwined her Country roots with a new Pop sound, which granted her first Album of the Year win. It’s no surprise that Swift chose to re-record her second album first, as Fearless made her a star on the rise –– she was one to watch. Additionally, many fans speculate that Swift will be re-releasing her debut album, Taylor Swift, last for a conclusive ending to this journey.
On April 9th, Swift re-released her second album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), which left fans more than pleased. Before the release, many fans speculated that Swift’s thirty-one-year-old voice would not be able to accurately present viewers with the teenage bliss that came with Fearless. Nevertheless, at midnight, Swifties across the world listened to this prized album for the first time again –– and were happily surprised. Before the initial release date, Taylor gifted the world with two out of six “vault tracks” or songs that were written during the Fearless era and didn’t make it on the album. The two, You All Over Me (ft. Marren Morris) and Mr. Perfectly Fine accurately captivated the fresh sound that Fearless (Taylor’s Version) performed. Nevertheless, fans were transported back to 2008 and were gifted an album that holds so much meaning. Listening to Fearless (Taylor’s Version) was just as memorable as Fearless, however, knowing that Taylor is regaining her masters throughout this process makes it all the more special.
The release of Fearless (Taylors Version) accurately passed down the beauty of Fearless from one generation to the next. Since it has been thirteen years since the world first heard this album, the listeners from 2008 and 2021 are drastically different –– some of her fans from 2008 remain loyal, however, it is no mystery that she has gained followers over the years. Despite their differences, Swift has subconsciously introduced her older music to a new generation of Swifties. The fans from 2008 grew with Taylor, and applaud her for her accomplishments, however, there is a new group of rising Swifties that get to experience the love, hurt, and light Taylor shares within her older music. Swifts’ ability to curate different eras has drawn in listeners who enjoy different genres of music. Whether it be the soft alternative muse of Folklore or the edgy-pop energy of Reputation, Swift has proven herself able to pull any genre off. At this moment, since Swift is transporting herself and her followers back into the Fearless Era, this is the perfect opportunity for younger individuals to be the next generation of Swifties. Those in their 20’s who listened to Fearless during high school get to relive that nostalgia, whereas current high schoolers can now relate to what Swift wrote on a new level. Although Swift’s main intention is to regain her masters, subconsciously, she is paving the way for exposure and a new generation of dedicated fans.
From an old Swiftie to a new one, buckle up because this is going to be a ride. Get ready for your stereotypical dance-in-the-mirror-with-a-hairbrush movie moment while listening to You Belong With Me, and don’t forget the tissues when listening to The Best Day––an homage to Swift’s mother, because you’ll need them. I hope you’re comfortable with surprises, the number thirteen, and analyzing interviews until your head spins out of control. In the end, it’s worth it. Welcome. Headfirst, Fearless.