Taylor Swift on rewriting the music and her story-how she is owning her mistakes and gives ‘Speak Now’ album a fresh spin.
After 13 years, Taylor Swift has embarked on a remarkable journey of re-recording her albums.
She is halfway through her plan to reclaim the six albums that were purchased by Scooter Braun in 2019, as part of his acquisition of her former label Big Machine.
In her current deal with Republic Records, Swift now possesses the rights to her master recordings.
While she has included previously unreleased songs and a remix on her re-recordings, she has chosen not to alter the lyrics of her previous Taylor’s Versions.
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In her 2020 Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, the singer candidly expressed deep regret over some of her past actions.
Now, she has translated her words into action by changing the lyrics to the track “Better Than Revenge” on her album.
This song was originally about a girl who stole her boyfriend, where Swift angrily sang, “She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think, she’s an actress. She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress.”
However, in the re-recorded version, the line has transformed into, “He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches.”
During Miss Americana, Swift shared a powerful realization, stating, “I had to deprogram the misogyny in my own brain. There is no such thing as a slut, there is no such thing as a bitch. There is no such thing as someone who’s bossy. There’s just a boss.”
Reflecting on “Better Than Revenge,” she further added, “I was 18 when I wrote that. Then you grow up and realize no one can take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.”
This revised lyric in “Better Than Revenge (Taylor’s Version)” holds precedence, as Swift had previously altered a line in “Picture to Burn” from her 2006 debut self-titled album.
In that instance, she changed the line “So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy / That’s fine / I’ll tell mine you’re gay” to “That’s fine / You won’t mind if I say.”
It is essential to acknowledge the significance of personal growth and the willingness to admit past mistakes.
Swift’s decision to revise her lyrics reflects her journey toward becoming a better person.
Ignoring such changes would perpetuate the idea that it is acceptable to make misogynistic or derogatory remarks toward others.
As Swift’s actions demonstrate, it is admirable to strive for improvement and promote a more inclusive and respectful environment.
Banner photo via Instagram @taylorswift.
