SPEAK NOW (TAYLOR'S VERSION) ALBUM REACTION 💜 vault tracks, swiftie history, & a mental breakdown ✨

Zach, a self-proclaimed "swiftologist," celebrates the second anniversary of Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" album with a deep dive into the re-recorded "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)," including its Vault tracks. He shares his excitement and fears about the new renditions of these personally significant songs. In his analysis, Zach is critical and unapologetic, promising thoughtful content rather than blind praise. Currently in London, he mentions staying with his friend Insa and hints at his upcoming podcast episode covering the album. He provides a detailed reaction to each track, expressing disappointment with the lyric change in "Better Than Revenge" but praising others like "Enchanted" and "Long Live." Zach's summary reveals a mix of nostalgia, critical scrutiny, and admiration for Swift's ability to reimagine her work while maintaining its original spirit.

• Zach expresses excitement and nervousness for the release of "Speak Now: Taylor's Version" and its Vault tracks.
• Vault tracks are previously unreleased songs from the original album's recording sessions.
• Zach refers to a previous video for in-depth Vault track predictions.
• "Speak Now" is a significant album in Zach's life, marking active engagement in an album rollout and personal growth during adolescence.

"Here it is speak now Taylor's version I am ridiculously excited a little bit scared to discover these Vault tracks..."

Zach is excited yet apprehensive about the new release, particularly the Vault tracks, which add new content to an album that holds personal significance for him.

• Zach introduces himself as a "swiftologist" who creates weekly content about pop culture, with a current focus on Taylor Swift.
• He mentions plans to return to more diverse content when back in Singapore.
• Zach promotes his Patreon and podcast, "The Evolution of a Snake," which provides detailed analysis of Taylor Swift's career.

"My name is Zach... on this channel I make thoughtful weekly content about pop culture it's been a lot of Taylor at the moment."

Zach describes his role as a content creator and his focus on Taylor Swift, indicating his expertise and the nature of his channel's content.

• Zach shares his personal connection with "Speak Now," having grown up with the songs.
• He expresses concern about potential changes to the songs in the new version, specifically mentioning a change to the "Better Than Revenge" lyric.
• Zach aims to approach the album with a positive mindset but acknowledges his critical perspective.

"Speak now is a really like important and personal like Hallmark Milestone collection of songs in my life..."

Zach emphasizes the deep personal connection and significance of the "Speak Now" album, highlighting its impact during his formative years.

• Zach sets expectations for his content, stating that he provides critical discussions rather than unconditional praise.
• He encourages viewers to subscribe if they appreciate his approach to pop culture analysis.

"This is a place for thoughtful pop culture critical discussions of media."

Zach defines the nature of his channel as a space for critical analysis, differentiating his content from more uncritical fan reactions.

• Zach is currently in London, staying at his friend Insa's house.
• He discusses his efforts to get tickets for the "Iris Tour" and his willingness to trade or sell them.
• Zach invites Insa to share her excitement for "Speak Now: Taylor's Version" and asks viewers to thank her for hosting him.

"I'm a London boy for the foreseeable future... Iris Tour London I'm going to maybe attend with the person who is hosting me in this beautiful set today..."

Zach shares his current location and plans, mentioning his attempt to attend the "Iris Tour" and acknowledging his friend Insa's hospitality.

• Taylor Swift reflects on the "Speak Now" album as a pivotal time in her life.
• She discusses the challenges and growth she experienced during the album's creation and release.
• Taylor addresses public criticism and her decision to write the album entirely on her own to prove her songwriting abilities.

"When I think back on the speak now album I get a lump in my throat... I made this album completely self-written between the ages of 18 and 20."

Taylor Swift shares her emotional connection to the "Speak Now" album and the personal growth and challenges she faced during its creation.

• Taylor Swift's forward details her evolution as an artist and her reactions to setbacks.
• She describes her creative choices as a response to criticism and her determination to earn respect in the music industry.
• The forward reveals Taylor's process of confronting doubts and using her experiences to shape her music.

"This was the beginning of my series of creative choices by reacting to setbacks with Defiance... my stubbornness and the face of doubters and dissenters would become my coping mechanism through my entire career from that point forward."

Taylor Swift explains how her reactions to criticism and setbacks have been a driving force in her artistic development and career choices.

• Taylor Swift discusses the emotional range of the "Speak Now" album, from anger to compassion.
• She addresses the expectations of listeners and how some songs subverted those expectations.
• The forward highlights the album's significance to Taylor and the pride she feels in its accomplishments.

"It was an album that was the most precious to me because of its vast extremes... I'll be forever proud of setting a goal and seeing it through."

Taylor Swift reflects on the emotional depth and personal importance of the "Speak Now" album, emphasizing its extremes and the fulfillment of achieving her goals with its creation.

• Taylor Swift expresses a deep emotional attachment to her album "Speak Now."
• She regards the album as a significant part of her identity and thanks the fans for making it theirs as well.
• Swift's vulnerability is evident as she discusses the album, indicating its personal importance.

"I always looked at this album as my album and the lump in my throat expands to a quivering voice as I say this thanks to you dear reader it will finally be."

This quote highlights Taylor Swift's emotional connection to "Speak Now," and her gratitude towards fans for embracing the album, making it not just hers but also theirs.

• The speaker identifies as a Swiftologist, excited about Swift's comments on the album.
• The lack of initial "hubbub" around "Speak Now" is noted, but Swift's deep connection to the album is appreciated.
• The speaker resonates with Swift's feelings about the album, emphasizing the importance of understanding and connection for fans.

"I am so excited that she has finally like opined about speak now because it did feel like the album was kind of you know maybe a little bit arriving without any sort of like hubbub."

The quote conveys the speaker's excitement about Taylor Swift sharing her thoughts on "Speak Now," which had a quieter release compared to other albums, highlighting the significance of the artist's personal connection to their work.

• The speaker shares their first impressions of the Vault tracks from "Speak Now."
• They describe the experience as overwhelming and needing time to process the new content.
• The speaker's approach to listening involves fully engaging with the music without focusing on lyrics initially.

"I'm gonna need eight to ten business days to like process all the information that was in there."

This quote reflects the speaker's overwhelmed reaction to the depth and amount of new content in the Vault tracks of "Speak Now," indicating the need for time to fully absorb the material.

• The speaker feels "whelmed" by the first Vault track, indicating it is neither exceptionally good nor bad.
• They suggest that Vault tracks are unreleased for valid reasons, usually due to not matching the quality of the album.
• "Electric Touch" is described as lacking the vivid imagery characteristic of "Speak Now" songs.

"I've listened to the first Vault track from speak now. and I'm whelmed I'm neither over nor underwhelmed."

The speaker's reaction to "Electric Touch" is one of moderate satisfaction, indicating that the track did not particularly stand out but was not disappointing either.

• The speaker initially had low expectations for "When Emma Falls in Love."
• They are pleasantly surprised by the song, noting its positive commentary on female friendships and envy.
• The song's sweet and naive tone is highlighted, with a focus on personal growth and learning from experiences.

"I think I give that like an eight a seven and a half an eight I'm really I'm really stoked about that one that was great."

The speaker's rating of "When Emma Falls in Love" reflects their positive reception of the track, which exceeded their initial expectations and resonated with them on a thematic level.

• The speaker is unsure of what to expect from "I Can See You Now."
• They are shocked by the song's edgy and scandalous nature, which deviates from the typical "Speak Now" theme.
• The speaker appreciates the song's boldness and unique sound, comparing it to British pop-rock.

"This is such a [ __ ] cool song no wonder it didn't make it on to speak now it's too scandalous."

The quote captures the speaker's admiration for the daring qualities of "I Can See You Now," suggesting that its exclusion from "Speak Now" was due to its provocative content.

• The speaker has high expectations for "Castle's Crumbly" and fears disappointment.
• They find the song to be downbeat, introspective, and reflective of Taylor Swift's career.
• The song's themes of fame, power, and self-awareness are explored, contributing to the understanding of Swift's psyche.

"This is so scary. okay. I that was incredible I loved it was it what I thought it was going to be no."

The speaker's reaction to "Castle's Crumbly" is one of surprise and admiration, despite the song not aligning with their preconceived notions, indicating its depth and emotional impact.

• "Foolish One" is described as a quintessential Taylor Swift song with classic imagery and narrative style.
• The speaker values the re-recordings project for providing a glimpse into Swift's past songwriting.
• The song is praised for its authenticity and ability to encapsulate the experience of young love and learning.

"Foolish one is the reason why I love this re-recordings project so much."

The quote reflects the speaker's love for the re-recordings project, particularly for the way "Foolish One" captures Taylor Swift's signature songwriting style from the past.

• Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" album had two distinct writing periods.
• The first period reflected her transition from the "Fearless" era, with themes of growth and innocence.
• The second period explored the realization that life is imperfect, with themes of heartbreak and disillusionment.
• The "Vault" tracks are seen to represent the lighter, more youthful side of "Speak Now."

"There was one where she was still kind of like coming out of her 'Fearlessly' era...and then I think there's a more adult side of 'Speak Now' too..."

The quote discusses the thematic evolution from Taylor Swift's earlier work to the more mature content in "Speak Now."

• The Vault tracks from "Speak Now" are considered to reflect a more innocent and less mature aspect of the album.
• The song "I Can See You" is described as sexier but not necessarily darker.
• "Electric Touch" and "When Emma Falls in Love" received mixed reviews.
• "Castle’s Crumbling" was noted for its juvenile writing.
• "Timeless" was labeled a flop due to its clichéd and trope-filled lyrics.
• Overall, the Vault tracks are considered better than those from "Fearless."

"I am looking at the Vault tracks and thinking Hmm this is interesting...Timeless flop."

The quote provides a personal evaluation of the Vault tracks, highlighting a preference for the "Speak Now" Vault tracks over those from "Fearless."

• Taylor Swift's re-recordings are categorized into three types: complete slay, faithful reproduction, and absolute tragedy.
• "Mine (Taylor's Version)" is praised for its faithful vocal arrangement and emotional delivery.
• "Sparks Fly (Taylor's Version)" is appreciated for its enhanced production and vocals.
• "Back to December (Taylor's Version)" is criticized for a vocal hiccup but still considered as good as the original.
• "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" is expected to be improved with a mature voice.
• "Dear John (Taylor's Version)" is noted for its different vocal delivery and lack of the original's urgency.
• "Mean (Taylor's Version)" is regarded as unchanged from the original.
• "The Story of Us (Taylor's Version)" is lauded for its faithful vocal arrangement and energy.
• "Never Grow Up (Taylor's Version)" is commended for its rich vocal quality and emotional depth.

"I usually rate the re-recordings in either three categories...I'm very surprised by that and the beautiful thing about things getting remastered..."

The quote explains the criteria used to evaluate Taylor Swift's re-recorded tracks and expresses satisfaction with "Mine (Taylor's Version)."

• The speaker expresses a deep emotional connection to the songs, particularly with "Mine."
• There are high expectations for the emotional impact of the re-recordings.
• The speaker is emotionally invested in Taylor Swift's music, as seen in the reaction to the song "Dear John."

"I was getting very emotional towards the end of that very faithful vocal arrangement she took her time she paced herself..."

The quote reflects the emotional response to the re-recording of "Mine," emphasizing the importance of vocal delivery and pacing.

• The speaker has a negative opinion of John Mayer, likely due to his past relationship with Taylor Swift.
• A prayer is humorously offered against John Mayer, Scott Borchetta, and Scooter Braun, reflecting the speaker's support for Taylor Swift.
• "Dear John (Taylor's Version)" is anticipated to be emotionally charged and reflective of Taylor Swift's past experiences.

"Dear Lord thank you for this gift of Speak Now Taylor's version and Dear John Taylor's version specifically we would like to uh wish that John Mayer Scott Borchetta and scooter Brawn all have a terrible day..."

The quote is a satirical prayer expressing disdain for John Mayer and others involved in conflicts with Taylor Swift, highlighting the personal and fan-driven nature of the speaker's commentary.

• Taylor Swift discusses how the song "Never Grow Up" has accompanied her through various stages of life.
• She reflects on her teenage years and the significance of small memories, like the sound of her dad coming home, which are lost with age.
• Taylor's move to New York City and the challenges she faced there resonate with the song's themes.

"I think it's one of those songs that like has traveled with me through so many iterations of my life like when I was a teenager."

This quote highlights the personal connection Taylor Swift feels with the song "Never Grow Up" and its relevance to different phases of her life.

• Taylor Swift expresses an intense emotional reaction to the music, indicating that it stirs deep feelings.
• Her repeated exclamations ("oh my God") suggest an overwhelming experience.
• She calls out specific musical elements, such as the bass and filtered vocals, that contribute to her emotional response.

"Oh my God the filtered vocal. [...] No. no. no that high note Diva."

The quote captures Taylor's immediate and visceral reaction to the music, particularly the filtered vocal effects and a high note that she refers to as "Diva."

• Taylor Swift acknowledges a shift in her artistic perspective, noting a transition from naivety to a more knowing approach.
• She comments on the evolution of her worldview, particularly in the song "Enchanted," which she sees as having matured.

"There's like a knowingness to it now it's not like so naive."

This quote suggests that Taylor Swift recognizes a change in her own artistry, with a move away from innocence toward a more informed and experienced outlook.

• Taylor Swift criticizes the decision to change lyrics in the song "Better Than Revenge," feeling it disrupts the integrity of the original work.
• She expresses frustration with the new lyric, finding it unnecessary and disappointing.
• Taylor acknowledges the effort put into the vocals of the song despite her issues with the lyric change.

"It's a little cowardly to revise the historical record because you are afraid of being reminded of something that you did that was kind of embarrassing or something that you said that was kind of not correct."

The quote reflects Taylor's opinion that altering lyrics can be seen as an attempt to avoid facing past mistakes, which she views as a form of cowardice.

• Taylor Swift notes her overall satisfaction with the re-recorded tracks, finding them mostly faithful to the originals.
• She is impressed with the quality of the re-recordings and their ability to highlight different production elements.

"I'm so impressed with these re-recordings honestly they've been really really good."

This quote conveys Taylor's positive reaction to the re-recorded versions of her songs, appreciating their quality and faithfulness to the original recordings.

• Taylor Swift comments on the production quality of the song "Haunted," feeling that it lacks drama at the beginning but improves after the bridge.
• She uses the term "forever and always treatment" to describe songs that start weaker but redeem themselves later in the track.

"Yeah that got the forever and always treatment to me it did it was kind of sagging a little bit at the beginning not bad but not like I didn't feel there was a lot of energy or care into it."

Taylor's quote illustrates her mixed feelings about the production of "Haunted," feeling it started weak but improved, similar to her experience with another song, "Forever and Always."

• Taylor Swift shares her emotional connection to "Last Kiss," a song that has been significant to her since her teenage years.
• She anticipates the re-recorded version, hoping it captures the same emotional intensity as the original.

"It is the last kiss. and you know the songs like Last Kiss Never Grow Up are really easy to tell when there's a difference because the production elements are so sparse."

The quote shows Taylor's anticipation for the re-recorded version of "Last Kiss" and her awareness of the subtle production elements that impact the song's emotional weight.

• Taylor Swift discusses the song "Long Live," written for her fans and reflecting on her early career.
• She recognizes the bittersweet nature of re-recording the song, considering the changes in her band, The Agency.

"It must have brought back a lot of like fond memories of touring because that song wasn't just about the fans it was about like her being a scrappy upstart at an independent label."

This quote reveals Taylor's nostalgic feelings while re-recording "Long Live," as it reminds her of her journey in the music industry and her relationship with her band and fans.

• Taylor Swift concludes with thoughts on the last few songs of the album, mentioning the absence of "If This Was a Movie."
• She expresses her love for the song "Ours" and her dislike for "Superman," stating she will not listen to it in full.

"I love ours ours is such an underrated song and again like last kiss and never grow up one of those ones where you can really hear the care or the attention or the changes that are put into it."

The quote shows Taylor's appreciation for the song "Ours" and her attention to detail in the re-recording process, while also indicating her personal preference against the song "Superman."