It’s Taylor Swift’s world and we’re just living in it. Unless you haven’t been on the internet since November 12th, you know that Taylor Swift released her re-recorded album for 2012 release Red, appropriately titled Red (Taylor’s Version). Swifties worldwide were left shook in June 2021 when Taylor announced Red (Taylor’s Version) would be coming November 2021. Mostly, in part, because it was widely speculated that the next re-recording we would be getting was 1989. But, nonetheless, Swifites have learned to expect the unexpected from Ms. Swift. So it was official! We had 5 months until the re-recordings of Red! She announced the album totaled 30 songs, including previously unreleased songs and collaborations as well as the highly anticipated (to put it lightly) original 10 minute version of fan-favorite All Too Well. Today we’ll be listing 5 MUST hear songs on the re-recording project, even though the other 25 are also must listens plus some of the standout lyrics from the songs! 

1. State of Grace (Taylor’s Version)

Name a better album opener… I’ll wait. The original State of Grace was the perfect opener to Red. On the Red Tour, she also opened with this song. Its anthemic arena-rock production begins and sets the tone for the rest of the magical re-recordings. The track has ginormous guitars, loud drums and mixed with Taylor’s vocals which use reverberation it sets the ultimate tone for the journey all Swifites are about to experience: Taylor is taking back her music and in a very powerful way.

Best lyric: Love is a ruthless game, unless you play it good and right 

2. Girl at Home (Taylor’s Version)

Okay, I’ll be honest. I wasn’t crazy about the original Girl at Home. However, on this new version, Swifties everywhere agree it’s like she gave us a new song because of how much the new version’s production differs from the OG. A Swiftie on Reddit said “Twerking to Girl at Home wasn’t on my 2021 bingo card but here we are” and I would say that perfectly sums up this version. It’s much more a club anthem than country sing-a-long. The added vocal effects and quirks along with the new version is chef's kiss. The song narrates being attracted to someone and wanting to hookup with them, but ultimately not because you know he has a girl at home. Bummer!

Best lyric: Call a cab, lose my number, you're about to lose your girl

3. I Bet You Think of Me (feat. Chris Stapleton) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)

If you’re looking for the quintessential country ballad Vault track from Red, this is the one. This song is Taylor at her best. Sonically, the song features a strong harmonica throughout and the lyrics narrate looking back and thinking you might still be on an ex lovers mind from time to time. Country singer Chris Stapleton provides background vocals for the track. The music video to the song was released on November 15, and features actor Miles Teller. In the video, Taylor plays Miles’ ex-girlfriend who can’t get off his mind at his wedding to another girl. She terrorizes him throughout the video (doing outlandish things like teaching children at the wedding how to give the finger! Gasp!) and is appropriately wearing all Red (wink wink). The video is directed by actor and resident Taylor Swift squad member, Blake Lively.

Best lyric: I bet you think about me in your house, with your organic shoes and your million-dollar couch 

4. Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

Personally, this was one of my most anticipated Vault tracks because I loved the original so much and Taylor’s Version sure lived up to my expectations. Originally released in 2018 by country band Sugarland (with backing vocals from Swift), Babe was written by Taylor and intended for 2012’s Red but never made the cut. The track is a mid tempo country ballad and its lyrics address an unfaithful lover. The song has drawn comparisons to another song Taylor wrote for a country band, “Better Man” for Little Big Town, as they discuss similar themes. Taylor appears in the music video and plays the role of the “other woman” in a work environment. She also has red hair in the video. Queen of consistency! 

Best lyric: Your secret has its consequences and that’s on you, babe

5. All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) 

Well… you knew this was coming, didn’t you? This wouldn’t be a best songs list on Red (Taylor’s Version) without including this… masterpiece (to say the least). For years since its original release in 2012, Swifites and critics alike have praised All Too Well as one of Taylor’s best and most heartbreaking songs in her catalog. Based on her tumultuous and roller coaster of a relationship with actor Jake Gyllenhaal, the song narrates Swift feeling betrayed, heartbroken and devastated by the sudden end of the relationship. The imagery ALONE in this song makes it one of the best on the album. Who could ever look at a red scarf the same way again after hearing this song? Since 2012, rumors had swirled that there was originally a much longer version of All Too Well, that was eventually shortened to 5 and a half minutes to fit a traditional song's length. Taylor confirmed the existence of the longer version when she announced Red (Taylor’s Version) by cheekily ending a letter to her fans with “This will be the first time you hear all 30 songs that were meant to go on Red. And hey, one of them is even ten minutes long.” Cue Swiftie panic. When the new version of the song was released in November, timelines and For Your Page’s were flooded with fans reacting to the unheard verses meant for the original. An accompanying music video was released starring Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink, with Taylor appearing at the end of the video in a surprise twist you’ll have to see for yourself! Watch below:

Best lyric(s): 

1. I was never good at telling jokes but the punchline goes, I’ll get older but your lovers stay my age
2. Just between us did the love affair maim you too?
3. You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath