“Red (Taylor’s Version)” has arrived in all its glory. This week, Lasso reporters and contributors are taking a look at the long-awaited re-recordings of Taylor Swift’s hit break-up album. Contributors and intense Taylor Swift fans Maddie Deering and Ellie O’Neill join co-Editor-in-Chief Eva Williams and Features Editors Clara Kasik and Audrey Morrison to share their thoughts on each song on “Red (Taylor’s Version).”

State of Grace

Eva: The opening drum beats of this song define the entire album of “Red” to me. Immediately I’m transported to 2012, where I’m listening to the “Red” CD in my basement. Such good times! And such a good song. 

Clara: What an absolutely perfect and beautiful way to start this perfect and beautiful album. Twin fire signs, four blue eyes?! YES.

Red 

Ellie: “Red” is the song to play in the car with the windows down on drives home – you have no choice but to perform.

Clara: I LOVE when colors are associated with emotions and Blondie does an amazing job at relating her heartbreak to the rainbow.

Treacherous 

Ellie: “Treacherous” is an underappreciated MASTERPIECE. If you ever get the chance, listen to this song on a plane during a thunderstorm. Pretty sure I saw God that night.

Clara: The beat drop on this song is incomparable to any song ever created.

I Knew You Were Trouble 

Eva: I don’t know about this one… all I can think about is those viral vine videos of goats screaming during the chorus. Kind of ruins it for me! 

Ellie: I was obsessed with this music video when I didn’t even know who Taylor Swift was. 

Clara: I have vivid memories of singing this song on my way home from basketball practice in 2nd grade while it was snowing. It’s SO fun, the repeated “trouble, trouble trouble” makes me FEEL THINGS.

All Too Well 

Eva: If you’re not listening to the 10 minute version, I don’t know what you’re doing. 

Audrey: Everything you said is true, Blondie. I hate you [redacted] Gyllenhaal. Also, the late night show dig was so good. 

Ellie: I LOVE the 10 minute version, but I get the appeal of this one – the instrumentation is more country-esque and although a lot of the best “I hate you Jake Gyllenhaal” moments are left out, this one seems more relatable.

22

Ellie: I refuse to listen to this version. If you’re not 22 and singing about being 22, it’s just kind of sad. The energy isn’t quite there, and I think the imperfections and youth are what really make the original version. I like to think of this as my anthem because I’m the only person graduating in 2022, and it just didn’t go as hard this time!

Eva: When I was nine, my brother’s friend moved away, and he was pretty upset. Because I didn’t understand basic human emotion, I played this song over and over again to try to cheer him up until he told my mom and she made me stop. Oh, childhood memories! This song is fine, your standard 2012-pop earworm. Enunciation could have been better – I swear I didn’t know she was saying “hipsters” until last year! 

I Almost Do 

Clara: I went through an “I Almost Do” phase last fall because it was a song I had never really taken the time to listen to before, but it’s so good! It would always brighten up my daily walks with my lovely dog who chooses not to move once landing upon random yards. 

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Ellie: Again, I will not be listening to this version. Sorry Taylor! I can’t get behind the weirdly high “we!” that comes after “we are never, ever, ever getting back together” in the chorus. 

Clara: I don’t love this one on the re-recording to be honest. I second what Ellie said, the way Taylor says “we” is too whiny.

Maddie: Yes, the “we” is awful. That is all. 

Stay Stay Stay

​​Eva: A hot topic on almost every car ride home from school: should we continue to listen to this song? 

Ellie: No. I think it’s so catchy and fun but so problematic. Throwing your phone across the room at someone? Borderline domestic abuse. And I’m sorry, but if someone started laughing at me when I was mad at them? Immediately no. Now it’s starting to make more sense as to why Taylor threw her phone at him… 

Maddie: I understand that it is problematic and I choose to ignore it. The bells and instrumentals are so fun; I will turn up the volume everytime I listen. Stay x3 hate is not tolerated.

The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody)

Maddie: This was one of my favorites listening to the album when it first came out (concerning as an eight-year old but it’s okay) and I still love it. I also have no idea who Gary Lightbody is. Such a nice duet. This is one of the songs that has improved since the original.

Audrey: I agree, Gary is such a gem. Not too overbearing, but I am sort of confused as to how he got here. What is he doing with Ms. Swift? He has like one relevant song.

Holy Ground

Audrey: This revamped version is pretty great. I talked about it a bit in my “Red” review but I’d just like to reiterate that taking away the guitar was one of the best choices Blondie made on this album. So subdued! So sentimental! Pay no mind to [redacted], she obviously doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

Maddie: I have to disagree with Audrey on this one. I love the original and I still like this one, but I feel like the original just hits harder. The intro used to get me so excited and I do not feel the same joy.

Eva: I went through a hard-core “Holy Ground” phase a few weeks ago. Like when I was doing homework, when I was driving, when I was walking through the hallways, “Holy Ground” was playing in my mind. It was way too intense. I can’t enjoy the old or new version now. Still, a classic! 

Sad Beautiful Tragic 

Ellie: Does anyone actually listen to this? I’ve never done it on purpose.

Maddie: Please do not listen to Ellie. The bridge of this song is so beautiful! “Distance, timing, breakdown, fighting; silence, train runs off its tracks” How could you not love it?

Audrey: Gotta back Maddie up on this one. Wow. What a lovely, quintessential “Red” era ballad. Blondie’s voice is really unparalleled in this version. Smoky with a smooth mouthfeel.

The Lucky One 

Eva: Honestly this is one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs. It seems to be when Taylor started to dig back against the media. Is it a relatable song whatsoever? No. But once again, stunning vocals! 

Ellie: Other than this already being an awesome song, the rerecording hits harder now that Taylor has experienced a lot of the things she sang about. Feeling pretty! Feeling used! Disappearing! Taking the money and her dignity and getting the hell out! 

Maddie: I remember choreographing a dance to this song in (probably) 2012 and it has definitely lived up to its original appeal. Maybe a little bit TOO realistic now.

Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran) 

Eva: The music video to this song was probably my most-watched YouTube video of 2012. Hearing it now, it’s pretty good. There’s more nostalgia and appreciation for it than actual listening enjoyment for me. I guess no one else is giving opinions!  

Starlight

Ellie: This is probably the dumbest song Taylor has ever written. How did “Starlight” make it onto the original “Red” and not “Better Man” or “Nothing New”? 

Eva: No, long live “Starlight”! It is so fun! 

Maddie: I know this song is about Connor Kennedy which was definitely an iffy relationship but I LOVE this song. It absolutely deserved a spot on 2012 “Red.” 

Begin Again 

Eva: As much as I love “Red,” I’m partial to Fearless, and this song would seamlessly fit in on that album. It reminds me of “Hey Stephen” or “Today Was a Fairytale.” It’s just so gosh darn sweet! 

Ellie: Agreed. I think it’s because the beginning sounds so similar to the start of “Fifteen”! This is the perfect closer to such an iconic breakup album. “You throw your head back laughing like a little kid”… maybe that’s because Conor Kennedy was actually in high school when you dated him, Taylor!

The Moment I Knew

Ellie: This song makes me so mad. Just show up to her birthday party, Jake! An issue later remedied on folklore in the song, “betty.”

Maddie: I think I talk about this event way too much to not like this song. 

Come Back… Be Here 

Ellie: I am a huge “Come Back… Be Here” enthusiast, and to be honest, the re-recording isn’t quite doing it for me like the original! I’m a stickler for her enunciation in the 2012 version, I’m sorry!

Maddie: Certified “Come Back… Be Here” lover. The simplicity of the chord progression and instrumentals makes this song for me. I honestly feel like this is one of the songs that sounds very close to the original recording and I love it. 

Girl At Home 

Maddie: I feel like everyone either hated this song originally and loves it now or liked it originally and hates it now. I am a hater of the new version of this song.

Ellie: I actually hate both versions! It was a bad song then, and now it sounds weirdly hollow and synth-y.

State of Grace (Acoustic Version) 

Ellie: The acoustic version, though less upbeat, does a better job of showcasing Taylor’s mature vocals than the regular track.

Eva: It’s pretty! No other thoughts. 

Maddie: The acoustic version of this song holds a special place in my heart. It is longer, yes, but I feel like the absence of the elaborate production allows for the lyrics to have more meaning. 

Ronan 

Clara: I feel like reviewing this song is crossing a line.

Better Man 

Eva: Tied with “Nothing New,” “Better Man” is my favorite vault track. This song is purely old, nostalgic, beautiful country Taylor. If you would have played it for me last week, I could’ve sworn it was on her debut album. There’s twang in every guitar strum, there’s heartbreak in every line, and there’s a killer bridge. Classic, effortless Taylor. 

Ellie: This song is… perfect. Automatically in my top three Taylor songs. The opening guitar lick? Magical. The harmonies? Pure, pure bliss. The lyrics? Gut-wrenching. Have I ever had my heart broken? No. Was I crying on the shower floor the other day listening to this song? Yes. 

Clara: Oh my god, I was so excited for this re-recording specifically because I was so tired of needing to listen to Little Big Town to get some Taylor in my life. She sounds beautiful, and the way she says “man” gives me GOOSEBUMPS. 

Maddie: The changes in the second verse and bridge make me like this song even more! There is nothing more to say about this song. Absolutely beautiful.

Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)

Maddie: Lover of all things Phoebe Bridgers. I am worried that I will overplay this song because I genuinely love it so much. I don’t think she could have picked anyone else better to feature on a song AND she actually has a verse. The way she says “The kind of radiance you only have at 17” makes me want to scream and cry and get a tattoo of it. 

Ellie: “Nothing New” is unexpectedly one of the best vault tracks– it’s a super personal combination of “mirrorball” and “this is me trying,” and highlights Taylor’s fears of being cast aside by the industry once she’s no longer shiny or new, an issue many female artists face.

Clara: I am a Swarb (Swiftie/Pharb) so this is something I spent months of my life thinking about. Taylor chose the PERFECT person to duet “Nothing New” with and it’s absolutely crazy to me. She really said, “the media hates women as they age” and I’m so happy she called them out. YES.

Babe

Eva: This song is reminiscent of a musical special in a Disney Channel show in which music is not the focus. Picture this: Teddy Duncan is singing this to Spencer post-breakup. It would fit perfectly. And that’s how we know this is not a good song. 

Ellie: I’d say it’s too repetitive for me but it has an awesome bridge! 

Maddie: I liked the Sugarland version of this song but I feel like it is a little too pop-y now. 

Message in a Bottle 

Ellie: If you put this song in Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale, I would love it. If you put it on “Red  (Taylor’s Version)”? I don’t know how to feel. Take this off the album and put it in the background of Barbie getting made over by tiny magical fashion fairies.

Maddie: WAY too pop sounding in my opinion. I would love to hear this acoustically (like a “Cornelia Street” kind of thing) but it’s just too much on this album. This is the first song she wrote with the producers of 1989 so it makes sense that it sounds like this, but I still just don’t love it. 

I Bet You Think About Me (feat. Chris Stapleton) 

Maddie: I think I screamed when I heard her little twang in the beginning. This song is like a country version of “Blank Space” and I am all for it. How can you not scream the outro?

Ellie: This song is hilarious and the most country-sounding on the album, which I appreciate since it tends to lean towards the pop side of country-pop. And the music video! Perfection.

Clara: I love the growth we experience in this song! So much of “Red” as a whole is pretty sad but I really like the anger and spirit she’s bringing to the table with this one.

Forever Winter 

Clara: Again, I feel like reviewing this song is crossing a line. 

Run (feat. Ed Sheeran) 

Ellie: One Ed Sheeran collab was enough for me. 

Maddie: This song is classic (old) Ed Sheeran. If he hadn’t featured on it, I would still think it sounds like one of his songs. I am indifferent to this song to be honest.

Eva: So much Ed hate all of the time. I like this song! It has sweet, simple harmonies, and I think it would play in a Hallmark movie montage. Cute!

The Very First Night 

Maddie: All I have to say is that “picture” does not rhyme with “you”. Do with that what you will. 

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) 

Ellie: There’s simply too much to say. The three new verses are so raw and tie in to so many other songs on the album. To sum it all up: throwing myself on the floor and crying! 

Eva: “Screaming crying perfect storms” is not a line on a “Red” track, but from the 1989 hit “Blank Space.” Still, it’s Taylor, and it applies to my personal process listening to “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).” I’m in awe. 

Clara: I really really like that Taylor was able to basically change the entire meaning of this song by adding a few minutes. The original “All Too Well” is a breakup song that has sad and reminiscent undertones but the 10 minute version is giving “chaotic” and “I absolutely hate you Jake Gyllenhall” energy. I think that’s lovely.

Maddie: I don’t even know where to begin. Clara told me she gets “Moon Song” (by Phoebe Bridgers) vibes from this and I couldn’t agree more. “You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath” makes me go absolutely feral. To be honest, everytime I listen, the 10 minutes gets shorter and shorter. 20 minute version soon?