Whatever else 2023 has been, both good and bad, it has undoubtedly been one thing: the Year of Taylor Swift.
Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour catapulted the singer-songwriter into a new echelon. She is quite simply the most popular and influential artist in the world today. I mean, who else could boost NFL ratings simply by attending her boyfriend’s games?
I didn’t think it was appropriate that my only Taylor Swift posts in the Year of Taylor would be an AI version of her singing Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ and an appearance in ‘What the Kids are Listening To.’ So I’m dedicating this week to Ms. Swift.
Specifically, I’m featuring four vault tracks from the ‘Taylor’s Version’ re-recordings of Fearless, Speak Now, Red, and 1989, plus a bonus track from last year’s Midnights.
For those unaware of the ‘Taylor’s Version’ re-recordings, and the argument over song ownership that prompted them, I direct you to this exhaustive Wikipedia account. The short version: Swift doesn’t own the masters of her first six albums, and she dislikes the person who did, so she’s in the process of recording new versions of each album that sound nearly identical to the originals.
I love the brazenness of the project, and the attention it has brought to performers’ rights to their own material. And I’m blown away by the creative energy involved in pulling off such an ambitious project (while also writing and releasing new material, and staging the biggest tour in the world).
My favorite part of the re-release project is the inclusion of “vault tracks” on each of the re-releases. These are songs written at the time of each album’s recording that Swift has recorded anew. It reminds me of the great series of reissues by Elvis Costello in the 90s and 00s, all of which included his own vault tracks representative of each album’s sound.
So to kick things off, here’s a vault track from the re-recording of 2008’s Fearless, Swift’s second studio album and still her best-selling record to date. ‘Mr. Perfectly Fine’ is a supremely catchy country pop tune that would have been an excellent addition to the original album.
Mr. “Perfect face”
Mr. “Here to stay”
Mr. “Looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away”
Everything was right
Mr. “I’ve been waitin’ for you all my life”
Mr. “Every single day until the end, I will be by your side”
[Pre-Chorus]
But that was when I got to know Mr. “Change of heart”
Mr. “Leaves me all alone,” I fall apart
It takes everything in me just to get up each day
But it’s wonderful to see that you’re okay
[Chorus]
Hello, Mr. “Perfectly fine”
How’s your heart after breakin’ mine?
Mr. “Always at the right place at the right time,” baby
Hello, Mr. “Casually cruel”
Mr. “Everything revolves around you”
I’ve been Miss Misery since your goodbye
And you’re Mr. “Perfectly fine”
[Verse 2]
Mr. “Never told me why”
Mr. “Never had to see me cry”
Mr. “Insincere apology so he doesn’t look like the bad guy”
He goes about his day
Forgets he ever even heard my name
Well, I thought you might be different than the rest, I guess you’re all the same
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause I hear he’s got his arm ’round a brand-new girl
I’ve been pickin’ up my heart, he’s been pickin’ up her
And I never got past what you put me through
But it’s wonderful to see that it never phased you
[Chorus]
Hello, Mr. “Perfectly fine”
How’s your heart after breakin’ mine?
Mr. “Always at the right place at the right time,” baby
Hello, Mr. “Casually cruel”
Mr. “Everything revolves around you”
I’ve been Miss Misery since your goodbye
And you’re Mr. “Perfectly fine”
[Verse 3]
So dignified in your well-pressed suit
So strategized, all the eyes on you
Sashay your way to your seat
It’s the best seat, in the best room
Oh, he’s so smug, Mr. “Always wins”
So far above me in every sense
So far above feeling anything
[Bridge]
And it’s really such a shame
It’s such a shame
‘Cause I was Miss “Here to stay”
Now I’m Miss “Gonna be alright someday”
And someday maybe you’ll miss me
But by then, you’ll be Mr. “Too late”
[Chorus]
Goodbye, Mr. “Perfectly fine”
How’s your heart after breakin’ mine?
Mr. “Always at the right place at the right time,” baby
Goodbye, Mr. “Casually cruel”
Mr. “Everything revolves around you”
I’ve been Miss Misery for the last time
And you’re Mr. “Perfectly fine”
[Outro]
You’re perfectly fine
Mr. “Looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away”
You said you’d never go away
Meet Me In Montauk 
It really is amazing how deftly Taylor has managed her career to keep soaring to new heights of popularity (and financial success having now joined the billionaires club).
I’ve been meaning to create a playlist of vault tracks as there are some gems among them. The collaborations she features there are also great; I particularly like the duet with Keith Urban though I never remember which TV it’s on.
Best of all, she appears to have remained her authentic corny, loving, brilliant self through it all.
This will be an interesting week as we don’t know much of her music and she is a phenomenon. Maddie recently suggested some of her favorites and we listened to Peace and Champagne Problems so far and have liked both songs (thanks Maddie)
I wish we had won the football game yesterday though just saying.
Hahaha you’re very welcome ❤️ I also wish we had won the football game yesterday 😪