Taylor Swift Dropping Re-Release Single—Could ‘1989’ Or ‘Speak Now’ Be Next?

Topline

Taylor Swift announced Thursday she’ll release a new version of “This Love (Taylor’s Version)”, from the album 1989 at midnight, continuing a campaign to re-record her first six albums in a dispute over ownership of the master recordings, leading many fans to wonder if the singer will drop 1989 (Taylor’s Version) or Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) soon.

Key Facts

At the same time as her announcement on Instagram, merchandise collections on her online store appeared for both 1989, which was originally released in 2014 and features the hit songs “Blank Space” and “Style,” and Speak Now, a 2010 album featuring “Mine” and “Back To December.”

Swift is known for making cryptic hints in her social media posts, music videos and other work about her upcoming projects, and her dedicated fan base has been convinced for months either Speak Now or 1989 will be her next re-release.

Key Background

In 2019 Big Machine Records sold the master recordings to Swift’s first six albums to music manager Scooter Braun. Swift said she was not given an opportunity to purchase the recordings, and said she was only offered the chance to negotiate with Braun if she signed an extensive non-disclosure agreement. Braun, who is best known for discovering and managing Justin Bieber, previously said he tried to meet with Swift to come to an agreement. Later that year, Swift pledged to re-record her first six albums. In 2020, Braun sold Swift’s masters to Shamrock Capital. The first re-release, 2008’s Fearless (Taylor’s Version) came out in April 2021, followed by 2012’s Red (Taylor’s Version) in November. In addition to Speak Now and 1989, Swift intends to re-record 2006’s Taylor Swift and 2017’s Reputation. Swift also released a re-recorded single from 1989, “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version),” in September.

Tangent

The re-release of Red (Taylor’s Version) earned Swift, 32, several records, including Spotify’s most streamed female artist in a day and most streamed album in a day by a female artist. As part of the album Swift released a 10-minute-long version of the song All Too Well, which inched out American Pie to became the longest song in history to become No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The release of the extended version of the song and an accompanying short film starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brian re-ignited decade-old rumors about Swift’s relationship with actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who the breakup song is reportedly about.

Further Reading

Taylor Swift Has Seven Different Albums On Billboard Top 100 (Forbes)

Taylor Swift’s Scarf Explained: Why Everyone Wants To Know Where It Is—And If Jake Gyllenhaal Has It (Forbes)

Taylor Swift’s ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ Tops iTunes Chart Hours After Release (Forbes)

Taylor Swift Now Dominates One-Quarter Of Billboard Hot 100 Chart (Forbes)

Taylor Swift’s Re-Recorded ‘Red’ Hits No. 1 Nearly Decade After First Version Topped The Charts (Forbes)