(title credits to netra i love it thanks bestie)

Hellooo everybody

(this post took forever to write so excuse the late-ness)

First of all, I just want to say happy birthday to my lovely blog/ baby Chic Life Thru My Lens!! She’s 4 years old now wow. Honestly, I feel like I’ve been blogging for much longer but oh well.

Happy Red Season! ❤️

yep yep, Red (Taylor’s Version) is finally outtt and that means it’s time for another album review woohooo. I’m so excited to write this post but also the album contains 30 songs so it’s going to take… a while. For that reason, I’m going to attempt to write a little less for each song than I did in my Fearless post.

For anyone who is confused and doesn’t know anything about what’s going on, Taylor Swift first 6 albums were bought without her permission a few years ago so she is now re-recording all of those albums in an attempt to own them.

Red was originally released in 2012 when I was seven (SEVEN??) and I do have many memories of jamming out to I Knew You Were Trouble, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and 22. Ooh and also the title track of course. While I loved this album before, I never really considered it one of my favourites. HOWEVER, I am now in love with the re-recording so I’m going to have to reconsider that opinion.

Anyways, let’s start talking about the songs and my fav lyrics from them.

State of Grace

One of the most perfect album openers of all time. State of Grace is one of Taylor’s best songs without question and I think it’s time for it to be properly appreciated. The drums and electric guitar that play throughout the song always make me feel like I’m in a cool coming-of-age movie and the lyrics are so beautiful as well like how on Earth did she just write that song. My mom also loves this song as much as I do so let’s add sentimental value into the mix. The production is so much better in this version and ohmygosh the electric guitar sounds so much cleaner and sharper. I could go on about this song for days but I’ll have to end it by saying 10/10!!!

“So you were never a saint
and I’ve loved in shades of wrong
We learn to live with the pain
mosaic broken hearts”

Red

The much love title track. Her vocals in this version are a lot stronger and more well-developed which makes the song that much more powerful. Once again the electric guitar sounds so amazing – especially in the second verse, and I’m just obsessed.

“And that’s why he’s spinning ’round in my head,
comes back to me burning red”

Treacherous

I love treacheroussss! It’s an extremely pretty song and just sounds so delicate and uncertain but certain? I love how the second chorus is a bit louder to build-up to the beautiful bridge. Also, the re-recording sounds basically identical to the original so love that.

“And all we are is skin and bone
Trained to get along
Forever going with the flow
But you’re friction”

I Knew You Were Trouble

This song is very iconic and dare I say a teensy bit overplayed and therefore I’m a little tired of hearing it. But nevertheless, it sounds great.

“And I heard you moved on
From whispers on the street
A new notch in your belt
Is all I’ll ever be”

All Too Well

I love all too well but I’ll write about the 10 minute version, which is last.

22

22 is as great as ever in the verses but I’m not the biggest fan of the reverb she put in the chorus instead of like layered vocals 😭😭 Gonna blast this song on New Years tho!! (like my exams don’t start the next day yep).

“It feels like a perfect night
For breakfast at midnight
To fall in love with strangers”

I Almost Do

I Almost Do was never one of my favourites off of Red but I think it’s quite relatable? Like I feel like you can relate to it even the slightest bit even in terms of a friendship because everyone goes through something where you wanna talk to someone but deep down you’re like I probably shouldn’t but I want you to know that I want to!! If that makes no sense just pretend it does.

“I bet it never ever occurred to you
That I can’t say “Hello” to you
And risk another goodbye”

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

I used to blast this song with my friends when I was like 10 years old and it brings me the same feelings I used to get back then so it’s perfect. The phone call part still has the attitude and annoyed-ness and the song wouldn’t be complete without it.

“I’m really gonna miss you picking fights
And me falling for it, screaming that I’m right”

Stay Stay Stay

Gonna be honest and say the instrumental isn’t my favourite thing ever but it’s okay because the song is so sweet and playful. Plus if she felt happy enough to write this song then that’s a good thing.

“All those times that you didn’t leave
It’s been occurring to me
I’d like to hang out with you
For my whole life”

The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody)

I always love when Taylor does a duet and this song is the perfect one because of the two perspectives and it reminds me so much of Exile. The way the harmonies switch up so often makes me happy and it’s so fun to sing along to.

“You wear your best apology
But I was there to watch you leave”

Holy Ground

I feel like Red has two parts: the sad, heartbroken songs and then the ‘wow life is fun and love is awesome!’ songs. To me, Holy Ground fits slightly into both of those categories because she’s talking about how even though their relationship ended, it was still so great while it lasted. I’d like to reiterate that every song she wrote about Joe Jonas turned out to be amazing (e.g. Mr Perfectly Fine) because this song is so good and makes me want to just get up and dance + sing my heart out.

“Spinning like a girl in a brand new dress
We had this big wide city all to ourselves
We blocked the noise with the sound of, “I need you”
And for the first time, I had something to lose”

Sad Beautiful Tragic

The title actually describes this song perfectly, it’s sad, beautiful and tragic. I used to not pay much attention to it but once I was reading a book where this song matched the situation perfectly so I listened to it on repeat until the (very long) chapter was over and by the end of it I had fallen in love with the song. Most of the song is so sad and gentle kind of flows the same but then the bridge is desperate and hopeless and frustrated and gives the song exactly what it was missing.

“Kiss me, try to fix it
Could you just try to listen?
Hang up, give up
For the life of us we can’t get back”

The Lucky One

Taylor’s storytelling is impeccable so obviously this song is the same. It’s about fame and somebody who was dreaming of being famous but after that they realised it’s not what they thought it would be and they want to go back to normal but everyone tells them they’re so lucky but they just don’t believe that. I think it’s so amazing because you could in certain ways link it to your own life. Like if there’s something you always wanted and were jealous of people for having/being but once you got it you’re like oh gosh, you might relate.

“And they tell you that you’re lucky, but you’re so confused
‘Cause you don’t feel pretty, you just feel used”
(this lyric is SO GOOD??)

Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran)

omg Everything Has Changed used to be one of my favourite songs when it came out because I just really loved the music video for it and honestly I still do. This is probably the sweetest song on the album and even Ed sounds better on the rerecording so that’s a bonus.

“All I know is a new found grace
All my days, I’ll know your face”

Starlight

AND I SAID OH MYY WHAT A MARVELOUS TUNE IT WAS THE BEST NIGHT NE- anyways Starlight is amazing and I will not be accepting any other opinions. This would be such a great song to get all dressed up and dance to with your friends and I will do that someday😌 The guitar solo as welllll, I love it.

“He said, ‘Look at you, worrying so much about things you can’t change
You’ll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way'”

Begin Again

The Begin Again music video was the thing that inspired me to want to go to Paris and I literally still want to go (even though it definitely won’t be the same) because it all looks so beautiful! I love how you can hear through the lyrics, music and her voice that she’s starting to believe in love again and overall the song is just so pretty.

“But you throw your head back laughing like a little kid.
I think it’s strange that you think I’m funny, ’cause he never did”

The Moment I Knew

At first I found it slightly annoying that the verses of this song don’t have a rhyming scheme but as I listened to it more I realised the lack of rhyming makes it more conversational and as if she’s talking to the person the song is meant for. Then when the chorus hits you feel all the emotion and see the picture she is painting throughout the song. So in conclusion, The Moment I Knew is so genius and go listen to it.

“And it was like slow motion
Standing there in my party dress
In red lipstick
With no one to impress”

Come Back…Be Here

Taylor performed this live maybe once which is so sad because it’s one of my favourite songs off of Red. To be honest I have no idea why I love it so much because I can’t pinpoint a specific thing that I love, maybe it’s just the song as a whole.

“Taxi cabs and busy streets
That never bring you back to me”

Girl At Home

Dude. When I heard the rerecording I immediately messaged my friend “WHAT HAPPENED TO GIRL AT HOME” because if you’ve heard the original you’ll know it’s so different because she made it more pop than country. I did not like the original too much but this version is such a vibe I actually love it.

“I just wanna make sure
You understand perfectly, you’re the kind of man who makes me sad”

*onto the vault songs yay*

Ronan

I can never listen to Ronan because it’s extremely sad and gives me chills every time. It’s a song about a 4-year-old boy who passed away because of cancer and the revenue from the song goes to charity which is really great.

“Race cars on the kitchen floor, plastic dinosaurs
I love you to the moon and back”

Better Man

I was SO HAPPY when she announced the tracklist and I saw that Better Man was on it because I downloaded the video of her singing it at Bluebird cafe and used to listen to that so often wishing she would’ve kept the song. It’s a sad song and you can really hear the emotion in it.

“Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I can feel you again
But I just miss you, and I just wish you were a better man“

Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)

I. love. nothing new. That might be a bit concerning because the song is quite sad but it is my favourite vault track. I love the harmonies in it and the way Taylor and Phoebe’s voice sound; it’s quite calming. The song is all about growing older and feeling as if you’re losing your “novelty”. It’s even more interesting because she wrote a whole song about turning 22 and how amazing she feels and how life is great but then there’s also this song about comtemplating everything. I guess it shows that nobody’s life is perfect even if it looks like (getting a little cliche here but it was my first thought when I heard the chorus).

“I’ve had too much to drink tonight
How did I go from growing up to breaking down?”

Babe

Babe is my second favourite vault song and while the version sung by Sugarland is good, I prefer Taylor’s version. Could be that I’m biased but it also could be because the “what about your promises, promises” parts are so addicting. yeah that for sure.

“I break down every time you call
We’re a wreck, you’re the wrecking ball
We said no one else, how could you do this, babe?”

Message In A Bottle

Message In A Bottle is very fun and super pop-influenced and it’s super fun to dance around to. I know if she released it in 2012 I would’ve been in love with it.

“But time moves faster
Replaying your laughter
Disaster”

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

Another song that I found a little bit forgettable at first but now I’m really enjoying singing the lyrics dramatically in the car (my mom can confirm) and acting out every lyric to my heart’s content. Specifically the last lyric which goes…

“I bet you think about me when you say
‘Oh my God, she’s insane, she wrote a song about me’
I bet you think about me”

Forever Winter

I think Forever Winter is so beautiful but the lyrics and the meaning behind the song are so sad because it seems to be addressed to someone with mental health issues. I really don’t know what else to say but yeah it 100% should’ve been on the original Red.

“If I was standin’ there in your apartment
I’d take that bomb in your head and disarm it
I’d say I love you even at your darkest”

Run

Another song with Ed Sheeran ayy lol. I’d say the melody for Run is quite simple but the harmonies and lyrics are super nice so that makes up for it. I’m listening to the song right now and the only thing I can think is I love the harmonieeessssss. Oh also finally Ed gets more chances to sing than in Everything Has Changed so there’s that.

“There’s a heart on your sleeve
I’ll take it when I leave
And hold it for you”

The Very First Night

This gives me very similar vibes to Message In A Bottle but I for some reason I love Message In A Bottle a lot more lol. One question I have for Taylor is why did she say “they don’t know how much I miss you” when she could have said “miss ya” it rhymes so much better and ‘you’ ruins the whole flowww 😭

“Back then we didn’t know we were built to fall apart
We broke the status quo, then we broke each other’s hearts”

All Too Well (10 Minute Version)

*deep breath* THIS SONG. I had been hoping to hear the ten minute version of All Too Well from the first moment I knew it existed around 2-3 years ago. I mean the song is already amazing, can you imagine ten whole minutes of it? So yeah my friend Simran (she’s iconic on my blog now, you should know who I’m talking about) and I were counting down the days until we would hear this song and the rest of Red and now that I’ve heard it I absolutely love it. The lyricism is so amazing, I can’t believe one song could have so many good lyrics. Overall, this version made me love All Too Well like 10 times more ❤️

“And there we are again when nobody had to know
You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath”

andddd there’s my Red post. I’m not writing much more because I’m so done at this point but if you made it to the end I hope you enjoyed!!! and here have a cookie 🍪 (credits to Netra who said I should say that).

Talk to me in the comments about the album! What are your favourite songs from it? What are your least favourite songs from it? Do you agree or disagree with anything I said?? Lemme know

Song recommendation of the post: any song I mentioned in this post 😚

Love (which is golden like daylight, NOT red), Hreem xx