Taylor Swift brands her re-recorded albums as “Taylor’s Version,” treating fans to previously unreleased songs metaphorically locked inside her vault. As she re-releases her albums, Swift records buried tracks left off the original records, treating die-hard fans to new music. In anticipation of “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” The Daily Texan ranked her top 10 vault tracks.
- “That’s When” feat. Keith Urban
With a guitar strumming in the background, Swift’s choice to collaborate with music legend Keith Urban takes listeners back to her country roots. Diverging from her usual style of breakup songs, Swift harmonizes with Urban’s voice to craft a sorrowful, unhurried feeling of walking away from a relationship.
- “You All Over Me” feat. Maren Morris
Swift’s songwriting talent emerged early, writing this song at only 18. Brimming with vivid storytelling and a weeping harmonica, fans experienced chills as memories from Swift’s past relationship infiltrate every aspect of her life.
- “Better Man”
Channeling breakup pain into her songwriting, Swift repeats, “I wish you were a better man” in the chorus to deliver a powerfully raw message about yearning. Swift later allowed Little Big Town to perform the song, earning them a CMA Award and Grammy Award in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
- “Foolish One”
Like swallowing a bitter pill, Swift sounds unbothered as she playfully mocks her own tendency to easily fall in love. The upbeat melody, in stark contrast to the self-critical lyrics, showcases Swift’s clever awareness of how the media perceives her.
- “Mr. Perfectly Fine”
Petty, unfeeling and casually cruel, Swift rolls her eyes and brushes off an ex. With its catchy hook and memorable chorus, “Mr. Perfectly Fine” makes for a perfectly fine karaoke classic to sing one’s heart out to.
- “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”
Flawlessly capturing a melancholic fall, fans describe this song as a masterpiece, especially cinematically, with the accompanying music video. Swift avoided making the extended version feel overstuffed, instead compelling fans to hum along as she revealed her full, candid truth.
- “When Emma Falls In Love”
A rare love song that doesn’t draw from Swift’s personal life, this piano ballad, combined with a country-pop chorus, delves into a character study of a charming girl named Emma. Swift’s envy-tinged undertones leave fans worldwide wanting to experience the magic of falling in love as Emma does.
- “I Bet You Think About Me” feat. Chris Stapleton
Swift does not hold back her full snarling and sarcastic self in this song as she captures teenage vengeance. Swift celebrates with a final laugh as she enjoys her triumph while simultaneously using her lyrics to cut back at her ex.
- “I Can See You”
Taylor Lautner’s surprise appearance in the music video skyrocketed the song to popularity. However, Swift still takes the credit as she experiments with indie-rock and produces one of her catchiest tracks that seamlessly fits with guitar riffs and her matured voice.
- “Timeless”
A testament to Swift’s desire for unwavering love, she pours her feelings into an epic love poem. From imagining herself as a young wife witnessing her husband depart for war to a bride being forcibly married off, Swift emotionally declares that true lovers will always find their way back to each other.
