If you’re a die-hard Taylor Swift fan, get ready to be thrilled because she’s back with a new version of her 2010 album, “Speak Now.”
Why the new version, you ask? Well, it all started when Taylor Swift lost the rights to her original master recordings in 2020. To reclaim her artistic ownership, she decided to rerecord her previous albums, and “Speak Now” is the latest release in this series. The new version, titled “Taylor’s Version,” features re-recorded versions of all 14 tracks from the original album, along with two bonus songs, “Ours” and “Superman,” which were included in the 2010 release.
When you listen to “Taylor’s Version” of “Speak Now,” you’ll notice that the songs have a more polished sound, with Taylor’s confident vocals shining through. Swifties with keen ears have also picked up on some subtle changes. Most of the songs vary in length by a second or two, and the lyrics of “Better Than Revenge” have been tweaked to remove a controversial line. In the original version, Taylor sang, “She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress,” but in the new version, it has been changed to “He was a moth to a flame, she was holding the matches.”
But the real treat for fans is the six new “vault” tracks included in “Taylor’s Version.” Among them, two standout collaborations have everyone buzzing. Fall Out Boy joins Taylor Swift on the anthemic “Electric Touch,” and Hayley Williams from Paramore lends her vocals to the swooping ballad “Castles Crumbling.”
Which songs from ‘Speak Now’ does Taylor Swift perform on her Eras Tour?
While Taylor Swift is currently on her massive Eras Tour, she has been relatively low-key about songs from “Speak Now.” Only one song, “Enchanted,” has been chosen to represent that era of her career during the live shows.
However, at her concert in Minneapolis on June 24, Swift surprised fans by performing “Dear John,” a scathing musical summary of her past relationship with John Mayer. Before starting the song, she requested her fans not to harass Mayer online, making it clear that she wasn’t releasing the album to encourage any form of online negativity.
The Best “Vault” Song on “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)”: “When Emma Falls in Love”
Among the six new songs on “Taylor’s Version” of “Speak Now,” there is one that has captured fans’ attention and sparked speculation about its subject.
“When Emma Falls in Love” is believed to be about Taylor Swift’s longtime friend, actress Emma Stone. The two have been close since the late 2000s, around the same time Swift was writing songs for the original “Speak Now” album. The lyrics of the song suggest that Emma is falling in love (“Emma met a boy with eyes like a man, turns out her heart fits right in the palm of her hands”). However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the song is more about Taylor’s admiration and love for her friend.
The song starts as a gentle ballad with hints of Swift’s country roots (yes, there’s even a banjo!), but it quickly escalates into an explosive chorus. Taylor sings, “‘Cause she’s the kind of girl that you can’t put down, like if Cleopatra grew up in a small town. And all of the bad boys would be good boys if only they had a chance to love her. And to tell you the truth, sometimes I wish I was her.” This heartfelt admission reveals Taylor’s deep devotion to her friend.
So, if you’re a Taylor Swift fan or just appreciate good music, don’t miss out on the new version of “Speak Now” and make sure to give “When Emma Falls in Love” a listen—it’s a gem!
