Opinion: What if I told you she’s a “Mastermind?”

Taylor Swift has finally re-released 1989, bringing the songs and the era that are near and dear to her heart out of the vault. Not only did the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) bring about an excitement for the highly anticipated vault songs, but it also laid out many different Easter eggs for possible future endeavors in her career.  

Filled with college students and passionate Swifties, Utah State University has a lot to say about the album. Discussions include the re-recordings, Swiftie theories and Swift’s impact on the world and the music industry. 

Maycee Barrett is a senior majoring in political science and journalism. She is a big fan of 1989 and was very excited for the re-release. 

“I love 1989 T.V.. The original album is very nostalgic to me,” Barrett said. “I remember jumping on my bed to the song ‘Welcome to New York.’ I was so excited to kind of relive that part of my life again.”  

Since 2006, Swift has crossed over genres ranging from country, pop and indie. Since then, Swift has been working hard to find “A Place in this World” by releasing hits like “Tim Mcgraw” and “Teardrops On My Guitar.” 

Swift’s first three albums were country music: her self-titled debut, “Fearless” and “Speak Now.” Later, in her album “Red,” Swift gave the world a glimpse of her potential in pop with songs like “Starlight,” “Babe,” “State of Grace,” “Treacherous” and more.

On Oct. 27, 2014, Swift released her first pop album, which completely transitioned her music career. For some of the people at USU, 1989 was groundbreaking, nostalgic, dreamlike and a diary that felt like their own. 

Becca Gaines is an exploratory major who has been a fan of Swift since her debut album. 

“I remember when 1989 came out in 2014 like it was yesterday,” Gaines said.  “I got the CD for my birthday and listened to it non-stop. There was something different about this album. Not only did 1989 get me into Taylor Swift’s discography, but it also got me into music in general. I felt like each lyric was a part of me. There were even some songs on there that made me feel even more seen.”  

While each of Swift’s re-records are the same songs, there are several changes that some students have been able to spot. 

Elsa Cole is an art major who is deep into the Swift universe. 

“I love the 1989 re-recording,” Cole said. “This is one of my favorite albums, and I know it really well. I noticed that a lot of the backing music was changed. I have seen a lot of people complain about the changes, but I love that Taylor is able to re-imagine her music.” 

Swift made some changes to the backing tracks in some of the songs. Some students have suggested that the pen click in “Blank Space” has been adjusted. Others have also noticed that Taylor’s voice is clearer in a lot of the songs. 

 Lauren Lind, a speech pathology major, sharedt some of her favorite changes. 

“I’ve seen a lot of people complain about some of the changes that were made, but I like the album even more than the stolen version,” Lind said. “I think that her voice is 10 times more clear. My favorite re-record song is “I Know Places.” Her voice is so much more clear, and there are many different backing vocals that Taylor added in. She also added a certain growl in the song that is so much more clear.”  

Just like each re-recording Swift has done, 1989 came with some highly anticipated vault tracks. When Swift originally released the album, she had said she wrote over 200 songs and narrowed it down to the 16 tracks the world has known.  

During the time of the original release, Swift was taking risks left and right while crossing over music genres, making bold statements about allyship and womanhood.  

Swift is now at a point in her career where she is able to release some of her more “risky” songs without the fear of judgment.  

“The song ‘Say Don’t Go’ is now one of my top songs of all time,” Cole said. “I do think that if she had released this song at the time, the impact of the album would have been completely different.”  

One of the most anticipated songs that came from the vault was “Slut!” Before 1989 was released, Swift publicly dated two people in one year, and the backlash she received for that fueled the fire for “Blank Space.”  

Swift most recently stated that at the time of the original release, she had debated releasing “Slut!” in place of “Blank Space.” Many students have wondered how that would have turned out if it had been the case. 

“The song ‘Slut!’ is one of the most gut- wrenching songs I have listened to, and a big reason for that is the fact that I know what Taylor was going through during that time,” Gaines said. “‘Blank Space’ was a song filled with irony and hidden statements about shaming a woman for her dating life. I remember when that song first came out vividly. Some people thought she was owning up to her ‘serial dater ways’ and some people saw the hidden message in between the lyrics.”  

Maile is a bioveterinary science major at Utah State. 

“This song is so relatable for me as a woman,” Maile said. “I think that it really shows how in-tune Swift has always been with society. To me, this song is one of the most vulnerable, heartbreaking and true songs about falling in love as a woman.”  

The re-release of 1989 has only led to more anticipation for Swift’s next plans. Will she release Reputation T.V. on New Year’s Day? Will there be a “Glitch” with another album drop?

Some students have wondered if Swift will end her Era’s Tour by exiting into her 11th era.  

Cole has been able to see the lore behind the systematic re-releases on Swift’s part. For example, she has been able to see that all Swift has left to own is her name and her reputation.   

“In my mind, this makes each re-release more special. Taylor isn’t just gaining rights of her songs back, she’s also getting the era back in the way she deserved all those years ago,” Cole said. 

Whatever happens in the future, many students are confident Swift will still continue to be a huge part of the music industry. In fact, some students believe she will dominate the music industry forevermore.  

“Swift is a musical and lyrical powerhouse who has dominated the music industry because of her relatable and well produced music,” Barrett said. “I have no doubt that she will only progress into a ‘Suburban Legend.’”