Deep Dives And Reactions: Speak Now (Taylor's Version) Full Album Reaction.
Hello and welcome to the second post of the day! As you know, I'm a Swiftie and I'll be reacting to Taylor's Speak Now (Taylor's Version) album!
Now, I know I'm late to the party as this album has been out for about four months and I've yet to find the time to sit down and listen to it.
But now, I have! So I'll be reacting to each track!
Notes before we begin:
- This album will lose several points due to the deletion of If This Was A Movie. I cried for about two hours straight when it was announced that ITWAM would be removed from the album due to Taylor wanting to push a (might I say, rather stupid) narrative about the album she wrote solo. Yes, there WAS a co-writer on ITWAM, but she could've made A Target Exclusive Deluxe Edition and included it. Either way, it's just stupid.
- This will be split into chapters! First the original album, then the Deluxe tracks, followed by the Vault Tracks and ending with the I Can See You music video.
- This took several days to do, but I did type it while having it playing, so these should be pretty authentic, lived in reactions.
Mine (Taylor's Version):
To be completely honest, this one ain't very different than the original. I do like it, but that's about all I have to say. 10/10.
Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version):
I thought this one was pretty good, but since it's my favorite from the original album, I obviously have the highest standards for it. The first thing I noticed was of course the updated vocals. This is just a nitpicky gripe, but the guitar solo just doesn't sound as good as it used to for some reason. It sounds more polished or something, it just made my ears perk up like "huh?" Also the last line of the bridge is now very clearly "fireworks show". I drug out my old Speak Now (Deluxe Edition) CD that I've had forever and checked and apparently it's always been "fireworks", but now the "s" is very clearly there. 8.5/10.
Back To December (Taylor's Version):
Well, this one is, pretty. It may just be me, but I hear more strings on this one. Also the "tanned skin" and "sweet smile" phrases feel longer, but again that may just be me... 10/10.
Speak Now (Taylor's Version):
Well, this one was nice. Also, I Think the cake in the Lyric Video is the same cake from the I Bet You Think About Me Music Video. Also, the "don't ya" is now "don't you". The first three G chords happened and all of a sudden, I was young again when I used to play this song WAY too loud in my bedroom. 10/10.
Dear John (Taylor's Version):
This one I must say I was a bit worried about, because it's an old favorite and I read an article somewhere (I can't remember where) that said it wasn't as good as the OG. My first reaction is the guitar is a bit different at the very beginning. It gave me a whiplash. As the song goes on, though, we dove into more familiar territory. The high notes sounded great. 7.5/10, simply due to the guitar at the beginning.
Mean (Taylor's Version):
This one was good! There's, surprisingly, little difference from the original to this one. I'm just really glad she didn't pull a Girl At Home with this one. 10/10.
The Story Of Us (Taylor's Version):
This is probably my favorite so far, just because the guitar parts sound just a little more, distorted and rougher. More prominent! This song should be proof that we need a Rock album! The build up to the last two choruses, oh my! I had to back that up a couple times to really let it sink in! It was also the first song on the album I've sung along to. 10/10.
Never Grow Up (Taylor's Version):
This one was my go-to song to cry to when I was younger, and now that I'm (getting) old, it kinda Hits Different. I was sitting in my yard with autumn leaves falling down (like pieces into place) so that was an experience. SOMEONE TAKE ME BACK TO 2014! I BEG YOU! 10/10.
Enchanted (Taylor's Version):
This one gave me literal CHILLS! When she played this in The Eras Tour Concert Film, I lost it. I have so many memories with Enchanted. The bridge, oh man! 10/10.
Better Than Revenge (Taylor's Version):
Now, I've seen the internet divided over the lyric change. The intro "Now go stand in the corner..." just didn't feel as satisfactory as the original. Here I think the "moth to the flame" lyrics are the least of our worries. This version will never replace the original in any of my playlists or my heart. It simply doesn't sound as good. Matter of fact, I highly doubt I'll ever listen to it again after this. 3/10.
Innocent (Taylor's Version):
Innocent is highly likely my least favorite song from the OG album, and that's nothin' against the song, Speak Now was simply a masterpiece full of masterpieces. Will this version change that? Maybe, because I've already found my least favorite I think (sorry, Better Than Revenge, but Mother didn't do you justice). I don't know if this is in the original and just so layered under I never noticed, but after the first chorus, there's some strange piano stuff I don't care for. Other than that, I feel like this version embellishes the OG a little. Wait, we're to the end of Chorus Two, and there's that piano again. Yeet. This version essentially sounds like older Taylor talking to little Taylor instead of little Taylor talking to K@nye W€st. 6/10.
Haunted (Taylor's Version):
Being another old favorite, I was kinda worried what Mother would change on here. I like things about it, such as the guitar is just, *chef's kiss* perfection. What I don't love is the echo/reverb effect on the verses. That kinda bugs me. Also, it sounds like you can hear the bells on here too, which is a great Speak Now World Tour callback. 8/10.
Last Kiss (Taylor's Version):
The OG version of this song got me through some stuff, so I'm always grateful for that. It, luckily, isn't very different from the original. There are some sparkly little bells or something before the second verse, which adds another level of beauty. I'll probably never be over this song (either version) and that's about all there is to it. 10/10.
Long Live (Taylor's Version):
To be completely fair, I've already heard this one at the end of The Eras Tour Concert Film. This song almost always makes me tear up (for a lot of reasons I don't have time to get into)... Believe me, not many songs actually make me cry, and within the bounds of that short, selective list lay Long Live, Ronan, You're On Your Own, Kid and The Best Day. This sent me back to two weeks ago. 10/10.
Chapter Two: The Bonus Tracks:
Ours (Taylor's Version):
I noticed a few subtle differences with the guitar at the beginning, but other than that, this one is pretty much the same as the original. I think it sounds great. 10/10.
(A moment of silence for the child Mother made the decision to disown. We miss you, If This Was A Movie. We love you and we'll never stop fighting for justice for you. The hot mess that is Speak Now (Taylor's Version) didn't deserve you).
Moving on...
Superman (Taylor's Version):
This is definitely a controversial and underrated pick, but this is my second favorite song from Speak Now. I'm hoping Mother hasn't changed it so it's unrecognizable and irreconcilable. I'm like a minute in and so far, it sounds pretty good. I'm pleasantly surprised by how good this sounds. Being the fangirl I am, I stan the hopelessly devoted, obsessionary lyrical content! Did John Mayer deserve this song about him? No. Am I glad she wrote it? YES! 10/10.
Chapter Three: The Vault Tracks:
Electric Touch (Featuring Fall Out Boy) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault):
Now being the Emo Swiftie I am, I must admit I was very excited for this one! For some reason, the instrumental gives me "Disloyal Order Of Waterbuffaloes" vibes! Oh man, that one high note after the second verse! Patrick Martin Stump sounds great as always and so does Taylor. It really feels like it could begin a Rom-Com on the right foot, and being the authoress I am, I'm already concocting a plotline! This one earns an absolute and utter 10/10 rating and might be my new favorite from the album!
When Emma Falls In Love (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault):
I like it already, but who in the name of biscuits and gravy is Emma!? This one is gorgeous, I love the piano! When the drums hit at the chorus, I literally got jumpscared in the best possible way. I started laugh-crying before it was over, this one is such a rollercoaster. 10/10.
I Can See You (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault):
This was the only one I heard any of before this. The "I-I-I" is like an updated version of Mine. And the Lyric Video visuals remind me a lot of Fall Out Boy's "Mania" album. The song itself reminds me a little of Patrick Stump's solo album, Soul Punk. Again, as I writer, "I can see" a plotline formulating in my mind. 10/10.
Castles Crumbling (Featuring Hayley Williams) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault):
This was one I was excited for, but a little worried about as Taylor has a history of relegating female collaborators to backing vocals. I'm so glad that Hayley got a verse solo! I could definitely see this soundtracking a scene in the movie adaption of this Fantasy book I've been working on for a couple years. It's definitely Gorgeous! 10/10.
Foolish One (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault):
As someone who has been in a messy situationship, I totally feel this one. Taylor somehow has the power to write songs about the stuff we all go through. My only question is, where was this song eight months ago when I really needed it? It's funny, when RED (Taylor's Version) came out, I was in the middle of that whole disaster and All Too Well (Ten Minute Version) got me through it. That's why Taylor is the Queen. This one is as comforting as Your On Your Own, Kid, Long Story Short and It's Time To Go all rolled into one! 10/10.
Timeless (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault):
This one I've heard is about her grandparents' Love Story. I've been super intrigued by that morcel of information, I must say. As a vintage girlie who is also a writer, this one just completely messed me up in the best way.I can see this one playing out in a movie! Somebody make this a movie! Please! I need it! 10/10.
Chapter Four: I Can See You (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) (Official Music Video):
The costume room was a nice touch and I lost it when when Taylor Lautner fell out of the ceiling! And not Joey King takin' a dude out with a banjo. When they sprung Taylor and Speak Now (Taylor's Version) From The Vault, that was a nice touch! I've honestly seen better Music Videos, but this one was thoroughly enjoyed! Since the song got a 10/10 rating, with the video included, we get 13! Taylor's lucky number obviously!
The End:
All and all, this album gets a 131.24 score total, not counting the Music Video. That of course, is after the 32% point deduction.
That's the end of this post! Be sure to come back to my Corner Of The Internet!
Comments
Post a Comment