Nine years after one heartbreak still has an impact on millions of fans. Taylor Swift has had her heart shattered many times and always finds a way to get through it by song. 

Swift spent a lot of time and hard work on her fourth album, “Red”, which was released on October 22, 2012, but the record label bought her songs. The national sensation is now recreating her songs as “Taylor’s Version”  so that she can have ownership of them and take back what is rightfully hers. In 2008, Swift put out her second album “Fearless” and re-recorded it thirteen years later, releasing it as “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”. On November 12, 2021, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” was released nine years after the original album, “Red”. The new and improved album is currently rising on the charts just like it did back in 2013 when the album was nominated for two Grammys. The newly released album includes songs we all know and love, along with songs that were unreleased. Swifties, the name of Swift’s fan base, have enjoyed listening to how much the diva’s voice has developed and how she has overcome all her troubles when it comes to love. Each song has a back story and a deeper meaning than what is heard. Get to know the original songs on “Red” with the guide below and listen to “Red (Taylor’s Version)” on any streaming service. 

State of Grace

Swift starts her album off with one of many songs hinting about the breakup with Jake Gyllenhaal. The track gives off a refreshing and hopeful vibe about love. This upbeat track shows a different perspective of a breakup. Rather than being upset and down about being separated from a relationship, Swift proves that she is free and ready to let go of what was holding her down.

Red

The emotions shown in this country and soft pop hit express an intense feeling, in this case, “burning red”, which is the explanation for the name of the album. This song is rumored to be about either John Mayer or Jake Gyllenhaal. John Mayer, an ex-boyfriend of Swift’s, has synaesthesia which means that he matches colors to the music. Although this may be true, Swift’s hidden message in the song is “SAG”, which Swifties are concluding either stands for Swift and Gyllenhaal or the zodiac sign that is shared between the two, Sagittarius. No matter which ex-boyfriend it is written about, this song lets Swift get a lot of strong emotions off of her chest which connects to her fans. 

Treacherous

The title of this song shows that something important to Swift might not be the best for her. This hit is hinted to be about Jake Gyllenhaal or John Mayer but is most likely about Harry Styles, another ex-boyfriend of Swift’s. Swifties have come to this conclusion because Styles got a tattoo honoring Swift and when she elaborated that “I Knew You Were Trouble” was about the same breakup as “Treacherous”.

I Knew You Were Trouble 

Harry Styles is one of Swift’s most popular exes. In 2012, the two pop stars dated which later crashed with a breakup and led Swift to make some of her most famous hits including this song. At the 2013 Brit Awards, Swift confirmed that “I Knew You Were Trouble” was about Styles by explaining that performing in front of the person that the song is about allows the emotion of the song to come out. 

All Too Well

The fifth track on Swift’s albums usually has the most essential song. For her album “Red”, “All Too Well” definitely uses evidence from the messy breakup between Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. When the celebrities dated, Swift was 20 and Gyllenhaal was 29. This age difference played a major role in their breakup as Gyllenhaal is currently 40 years old dating a 25-year-old girl. The breakup took place shortly after Swift turned 21. Even after the split, Gyllenhaal was seen wearing Swift’s scarf which is a crucial detail included in the song. This hit was originally 10 minutes long but got cut to 5 minutes. Swifties did not get to hear the original song until the release of “Red (Taylor’s Version)”. This song appears twice on the new album, including the two different versions, and is one that her fans have been looking forward to. 

22

The upbeat track, “22”, is one that all the Swifties know and love. Being twenty-two years old was one of Swift’s most memorable years because it is a time where she was still learning about life but has still already been through so much. Swift celebrated her 22nd birthday with Ashley Avignone, Dianna Argon, Claire Kislinger, and Selena Gomez. The celebration of the early twenties is expressed through the song as it shows the freedom and recklessness of growing into an adult. 

I Almost Do

We all get second chances, but it’s knowing the conflict that comes with them that makes the decision so hard. This love song is about knowing that giving someone a second chance is not the right thing to do even though it is unbelievably tempting. The possibility of going through the same pain more than once is not worth the heartbreak and Swift realizes this as she spreads her feelings throughout this masterpiece. 

We Are Never Getting Back Together

Being one of Swift’s biggest songs, the range of emotion added into this work of art allows the Swifties to connect to the lyrics of the song. As it is hinted about being about Jake Gyllenhaal once again, Swift lets out her statement that their relationship is over and there is no going back. Although the song title is pretty explanatory, Swift uses her anger and passion towards the breakup to belt out an extraordinary hit. Being nominated for a Grammy for Record of the Year, this classic will have all the Swifties screaming every word in their rooms and enjoying every moment of it. 

Stay Stay Stay

Everyone has an ideal image of a perfect relationship. For Swift, she describes how she wishes that her perfect man would stay. In a daydreamy state of mind, Swift uses an energetic tone to express how she wants a man to love her through thick and thin. At the end of it all, the hopeless romantic wishes someone will love her enough so that he will stay.

The Last Time

A repeating pattern for Swift is to write about a breakup, but the act of a breakup includes a lot more emotion and character. This piece is thought to be of a guy who cannot be trusted. He keeps coming back for the girl and she always gives in, but now with him on his knees begging for forgiveness, the girl stands her ground. Although this strong act of rejection is empowering, it also comes with second-guessing and denial. Thinking about if she made the right choice lingers in her mind, but in the end, she realizes that she did what was best for her and this is the last time she will be put in this position. 

Holy Ground

Friendships after a breakup can be bittersweet. The balance between still having a friendship but not having the same connection that was once shared. In one of Swift’s earlier relationships, she dated Joe Jonas, a well-known celebrity that sings and acts. After getting over the hardships that come with a breakup, Swift got to appreciate the bond she still has with Jonas and cherishes the way she was able to get through a difficult heartbreak. 

Sad Beautiful Tragic

Getting heartbroken over and over again could leave a feeling of hopelessness and desperation. Being able to learn from the past helps people mature into adults. This thankful song makes Swift realize that it is healthy to be sad about a relationship and that being able to learn from them is where it will help in the long run. 

The Lucky One

This upbeat hit is rumored to be about Joni Mitchell and Kim Wilde and describes a situation of having all the fame and glory but then wanting to turn invisible once being scandalized by the world. The song closes with a positive way of thinking on why dreams are not always what they seem. 

Everything Has Changed

This tune incorporates a childhood relationship into a pretty and lighthearted masterpiece. The song contains a collaboration between Swift and Ed Sheeran and their voices mix beautifully together. This jingle goes into detail about how falling into love can cause someone to have a change in perspective about relationships. 

Starlight

The inspiration of this song is from the grandparents of Conor Kennedy, an ex-boyfriend of Swift. While the couple were together, she saw an old picture of his grandparents when they were younger. Seeing people in love around the same age as her sparked something inside of Swift, which made her release these emotions straight onto paper. Although this relationship did not go far, the inspiration of the photograph will forever have an impact on future generations. 

Begin Again

Swift finishes her original “Red” album with a hit that has a soothing rhythm. As she reflects on her past relationships, she is looking forward to something new and starting fresh with her love life. Getting over a hard time in life can have someone looking forward to something exhilarating and inspiring. This unique feeling adds significance to the song and was even nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song.

These certain hits might have been the end of the original album “Red”, but Taylor Swift has never failed to disappoint. The artist incorporates unreleased songs, labeling them as “From the Vault”, in her recent album which has all the Swifties playing the album on repeat since it came out last week. The short film to the 10 minute version of “All Too Well” and new music videos can be streamed on YouTube. This new content has her fan base gaining followers by the day. Below is a personal rating of all the songs on the album from favorite to least favorite. Do not miss out on these hits, for each song is a banger and definitely deserves a listen. Listeners are shuffling the album all around the globe so make sure to be part of a milestone in the music industry.

Red (Taylor’s Version) Ranking

1. All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
2. The Last Time (Taylor’s Version) [feat. Gary Lightbody]
3. The Lucky One (Taylor’s Version)
4. Begin Again (Taylor’s Version)
5. Treacherous (Taylor’s Version)
6. Everything Has Changed (Taylor’s Version) [feat. Ed Sheeran]
7. Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
8. All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)
9. Red (Taylor’s Version)
10. Stay Stay Stay (Taylor’s Version)
11. State Of Grace (Taylor’s Version)
12. We Are Never Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)
13. State of Grace (Acoustic Version) (Taylor’s Version)
14. The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version)
15. Run (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) [feat. Ed Sheeran]
16. I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version)
17. Better Man (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
18. Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version)
19. 22 (Taylor’s Version)
20. I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) [feat. Chris Stapleton]
21. Come Back…Be Here (Taylor’s Version)
22. Forever Winter (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
23. Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
24. Starlight (Taylor’s Version)
25. The Very First Night (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
26. Nothing New (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) [feat. Phoebe Bridgers]
27. I Almost Do (Taylor’s Version)
28. Ronan (Taylor’s Version)
29. Girl At Home (Taylor’s Version)
30. Sad Beautiful Tragic (Taylor’s Version)