In 2019, Taylor Swift announced her plans to re-record her first six studio albums — the full-lengths that made her a blockbuster-selling, stadium-packing superstar. This week, Swift will begin rolling out those re-recorded albums beginning with Fearless (Taylor’s Version), a new take on her 2008 sophomore LP.
So why is Swift re-recording these albums? And what does she stand to gain by doing so?
On the latest episode of Billboard Explains, dive inside the events that caused Swift to reach this decision, and understand how re-recording Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation will help Swift regain creative control of her first six full-lengths. The move isn’t unprecedented — and, as Billboard’s experts explain, it’s far from just a monetary decision.
After the video, catch up on more Billboard Explains clips and learn about the boom of hit all-female collaborations, how Grammy nominees and winners are chosen, why songwriters are selling their publishing catalogs, how the Super Bowl halftime show is booked and why Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” was able to shoot to No. 1 on the Hot 100.
