Taylor Swift he took a big swing when he let go 1989 in October 2014.
When the singer dipped her toes into the world of pop on her 2012 record, Redwith the songs “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble,” until 1989 that he fully embraced the new sound and left his country roots behind.
Changing genres comes with the risk of alienating longtime fans, but Swift has navigated the transition so skillfully that it’s hard to remember she was once a pop star.
Come back on time Us as we explore Swift’s official pop debut and how it helped solidify her place as one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time.
What’s going on:
Swift’s first album, released in 2006, was a country album. Singles like “Tim McGraw,” “Our Song” and “The Hot Picture” hit country radio, and Swift even sang a little on the record. However, Swift’s crossover appeal was evident from the start; the second one is open Taylor Swiftthe song “Teardrops on My Guitar,” charted at pop radio.
Swift adopted a slightly different sound on her second album, 2008 I’m afraidwhich was billed as country pop. With confessional songs that perfectly encapsulate the girl’s experience, I’m afraid made Swift a household name. The record’s lead single, “Love Story,” reached No. 4 on the No Billboard Hot 100, while “You Belong With Me” reached No. 2. I’m afraid it also won Swift’s debut album award at the 2010 Grammys.
Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty Images Taylor Swift doesn’t celebrate her birthday until December 13, but she’s spent the entire year dominating the pop culture scene. Already a 12-time Grammy winner, Swift’s career took off even further when she debuted on the highly anticipated Eras Tour and its subsequent concert film, both of which broke records in every country. He […]
Swift continued to experiment with genres in 2010 Speak Nowconsidered country pop and pop rock, and 2012 Redwhich was a combination of pop, country and rock. His collaboration with famous pop producers Max Martin again Shellback in many Red tracks — “We Are Never, Ever Get Back Together,” “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “22” — marked a major sonic departure in Swift’s career at the time.
After some critics objected to it Redlack of cohesion — The AV Club called it “unfocused” — Swift went all in with the pop sound of her next record, 1989. He traded banjos, fiddles and guitars for drum machines and synthesizers; he cooperated with him Jack Antonoff for the first time “Out of the Woods” and “I Wish You Would,” both of which sounded unlike anything he had released before; he teamed up with Martin and Shellback and worked with a longtime collaborator Nathan Chapman in just one song, “I Know Places.”
“We made the most cohesive album of songs I’ve ever made,” Swift said when she announced her “first official written, official album” during a live stream in August 2014. I love the chances they took, and how bold it was, and how early it was. .”
The songwriter did his research while making the record, and learned from “reading aloud” in the late 1980s that it was time to boldly express himself.
“This idea that you can be who you want, wear what you want, love what you want — the idea of that really inspired me,” Swift explained. So, unlimited opportunity was a theme for me.
Fans got their first taste 1989 while the lead single, “Shake It Off,” was released in August 2014. The album came out that October, making Swift’s pop star transformation complete.
Why It Was Big Money:
1989 stands for Swift Update. He had moved to New York City, cut his hair short and found a new sound. After years of being criticized for her songwriting by her elders, Swift stopped dating altogether, and her large circle of friends of actors, singers and models became the talk of the town.
“I look at this album like I’m starting over,” said Swift Billboard in October 2014.
Are you ready? Taylor Swift just released Red (Taylor’s Version), but fans are already wondering which of her debut albums she will re-record next. The “State of Grace” singer embarked on a campaign to re-record his first six records in 2019 after losing control of his masters in a highly publicized battle. […]
I 1989 the period also felt like Swift’s true coming of age, when she learned to fully trust her own artistic nature.
“This album was made according to my goals only, there is no other person’s opinion, no other’s agenda is included,” he said. Billboard. “I felt like making a pop album, so I did. I felt honest and unapologetic about it, so I did. I felt like I was moving to New York – I had no reason, it wasn’t for love or business – I just did. “
The message — and the music — resonated with fans. Not only did Swift keep her longtime listeners with a dangerous genre change, she gained new ones. 1989 became his most commercially successful album. The first five singles — “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Bad Blood,” “Style” and “Wild Dreams” — charted in the top ten. Billboard Hot 100, and the first three hit number 1.
1989which won Album of the Year at the 2016 Grammys, forever changed the trajectory of Swift’s career and cemented her status as a pop star.
What People Say:
1989 it was highly praised by critics upon its release. Time called the songs “softer and sharper than the open ones Red” and called the album’s sound “very well crafted.” I New York Times‘ review, titled “Farewell to Twang,” noted that Swift was “distinguished” and did not sound like other pop icons of the era.
The album wasn’t without its detractors — Forbes called it a “gluttonous pop record” that sounded “fake” despite Swift’s “real” personality — but Swift pretty much proved the haters wrong. Forbes asked what Swift’s “next viable option” could be next 1989speculating that returning to her roots might be seen as a “retreat” while continuing with pop music would be “unpleasant” for her. However, like all of them Us know, Swift continued to dominate the pop scene while also experimenting with other genres.
What Happens Next:
Swift stayed on course for pop stardom in 2017 Reputation and 2019 She loves him. He went on to work with Martin, Shellback and Antonoff Reputation and collaborated with Antonoff on almost everything She loves him the track. 1989 it wasn’t a fluke or an off-off; it was the start of a long and successful career in pop.
Swift proved her ability to reinvent herself again in 2020, when she released two albums, A legend again Evermoreseparated by five months. Both records had elements of indie folk and alternative rock that Swift had not previously explored and were very different. 1989, Reputation again She loves him. A legend marked Swift’s first time working with The National’s Aaron Dessnerwho continue to contribute Evermoreexpanded 3am Edition of At midnightagain Ministry of Victimized Poets.
While Swift’s 2022 record, At midnightmarked a return to pop, he continued to switch between genres in 2024 The Door of the Suffering Poetfeaturing synth pop tracks like “Fortnight” and folk rock tunes like “But Daddy I Love Him.”
In a departure from his previous sound by 1989Swift set the example that she could, and would, change genres when she felt inclined. His fans have faithfully followed him in various sonic realms as his imaginative lyrics remain linear.
Whether you’re a full-on Swiftie with a hand dripping with friendship rings or just a bystander in awe of her success, it’s impossible not to get excited about Taylor Swift. So how did this beautiful country singer who grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania transform into a world-famous powerhouse? The truth […]
Where They Stand Now:
during the 1989 at the time, it seemed like Swift couldn’t be more famous, influential or respected – and yet, she still has. He The Eras Tourwhich began in March 2023, broke records including the most tickets sold in one day and the highest-grossing tour of all time. Each performance lasts more than three hours, and Swift takes the stage rain or shine.
The name of the tour is a satisfying nod to Swift’s ability to constantly change herself, leaving clearly defined periods in her wake. Her fans revisit chapters of their lives as Swift sings, reminiscing about who they were Reputation or Speak Now or I’m afraid he was released.
Swift also made history by becoming the first artist to have a top remixed album Billboard charts. In fact, they’ve re-recorded all four albums so far to get the artist rights back — in 2021 Fearless (Taylor’s Version) again Red (Taylor Version) and 2023 Talk Now (Taylor’s Version) again 1989 (Taylor Version) – reached No. 1.
If you announce 1989 (Taylor Version) in August 2023 via Instagram, Swift noted that the OG album had “changed [her] life in countless ways.”
