Tag Archives: Red

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Song of the Day #5,603: ‘Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’ – Taylor Swift

Nobody seems to have cracked the code behind the order of Taylor Swift’s ‘Taylor’s Version’ re-recordings (and Swifties being Swifties, many have tried). Swift started the project by releasing her second album, Fearless, skipping over her self-titled debut. And she followed that one with 2012’s Red, her fourth studio album.

Red is a fan favorite, and the album where Swift started shedding the “country” part of her signature country-pop sound. The album features a few songs that would have fit comfortably on Fearless, but it also contains three dance-pop tracks co-written with Swedish hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback.

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Song of the Day #4,599: ‘Begin Again (Live)’ – Taylor Swift

My final track in the Your Favorite Songs series is Taylor Swift’s ‘Begin Again,’ which showed up on both Amy and Madison’s lists. This is the final track, and second single, on Swift’s 2012 album Red.

Red is a fan favorite, perhaps because it gives equal weight to both her country roots and her shift toward pop. I placed it in the middle of the pack when ranking Swift’s albums last year.

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Song of the Day #4,266: ‘All Too Well’ – Taylor Swift

Continuing my ranking of Taylor Swift’s albums…

#5 – Red – 2012

Red was a transitional album for Taylor Swift, marking her first steps into more muscular pop territory (and her first collaborations with Swedish hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback). It was also her longest album to that point, at 16 tracks.

You can feel the strain on both of those fronts, as Red feels way too long and way too unsure of itself.

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Song of the Day #3,275: ‘Begin Again’ – Taylor Swift vs. Tom Petty

Two of the more compelling Round One Montauk Madness matchups pitted pop (and pop culture) sensations Beyoncé and Taylor Swift against Tom Petty and David Byrne, respectively.

Petty won his battle in one of the closest Round One contests, picking up 56% of the vote. Swift had an easier time dispatching Byrne, netting 88%. Now they face off against each other.

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Song of the Day #1,673: ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ – Taylor Swift

taylor_swift_redOK, this is a little more interesting.

Coming in at #6 on Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop poll of the best singles of 2012 is Taylor Swift with ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.’ Of course I’ve actually heard this song, unlike the first four I’ve posted.

Compared to what’s come so far, Swift’s ditty is a masterpiece. But that’s not saying much.

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