1989 Album Review

Hey guys! How's school? Once the World Series ends, I think my school with go more smoothly. The last game is on today and I have no doubt that my family will be watching every second of it.

I know I've been posting about Taylor Swift way too much. So I promise that THIS is my last post... for awhile. But I've waiting for this album for more than a year and now it's here and I'm totally fangirling. But... it will wear off, in a second.

Today, I'm going to post a review of the album. Instead of putting each song into "good" or "bad" category, I'm doing a quick track-by-track review. I'll talk about why (or why not) I like this song and my favorite line.

What I like most about Taylor Swift is how meaningful she is. While other artists in the pop genre are singing about partying and feel-good romance, she's singing from the heart. Her music, while sad at times, is always pure poetry. There is no party song in this album. Of course, this album is pop. It's definitely different from her other albums. I still think it has a unique sound, not similar to any other pop album.

Welcome to New York: Well, one thing's for sure. This is a great album opener. Since Taylor moved to New York this year, she has fallen in love with the city. It's upbeat and exciting, even makes you want to visit the city for yourself. However, there is one line that made me raise an eyebrow. "And you can want who you want. Boys and boys and girls and girls." As far as I know, Taylor has never sided with the whole homosexuality, but this was very suggestive. Thankfully, it's the only line in the album that suggests towards this, but it stopped me from buying the song.
Favorite Line: Like any true love, it drives you crazy. But you know you wouldn't change anything.

Blank Space: At first, this song concerned me. Taylor descried a relationship in which didn't care how it ended up. There were lines like, "Be that girl for a month." But, at her live stream, Taylor explained that she wrote it as a joke. She wrote it based on the fictional her, the girl the news made her out to be. It's basically a girl who goes through guys and doesn't care. So, it isn't good by itself, she is mocking all the critic's rumors about her. But she does take God's name in vain twice, another point against it.
Favorite Line: I got a long list of ex-lovers. They'll tell you I'm insane. (It's a funny line)

Style: Definitely one of my favorites. It has an awesome sound. The verses are mysterious, while the chorus is light and full of life. Of course, most people assume this song is about the One Direction dude, Harry Styles. Whether that's true or not, this song is more of a love song than a breakup song. It has a catchy beat and passionate vocals. You can hear her pain when she sings, "Some other girl."
Favorite line: When we go crashing down, we come back every time. 'Cuz we never go out of style.

Out Of The Woods: Wow, this! It's great. Yes, the chorus repeats, but that's the only criticism I have to offer. The verses are meaningful and exciting. I think the lyrics, at least the bridge, is what catches your attention. Unlike some other songs, Taylor never says anything bad about her ex-lover.
Favorite Line: Remember when we couldn't take the heat? I walked out and said, "I'm setting you free. But the monsters turned out to be just trees."

All You Had To Stay: I expected this one to be the heartbreaking one. It was definitely sad, but Taylor had a "glass-is-half-fill" approach. She speaks of a guy who left and wanted her love back. Though she refuses, she reminds him that he would have had her if he hadn't left. Quite a simple concept. I actually bought this song.
Favorite Line: People like you always want back the love they pushed aside. But people like me are gone forever when you say goodbye.

Shake It Off: Do I need to say anything about this? No, I don't think I do. But this song contains the best message of the album. In the bridge, though, there is a h word. She also takes God's name in vain.  The reason I didn't buy the song:(
Favorite Line: It's like I got this music in my mind saying it's gonna be alright.

I Wish You Would:  Once again, Taylor produces a passionate song about regret. The iTunes preview immediately catches your attention, starting with the fast verse which fades into a slower chorus. In this piece, Taylor wishes she wouldn't have ended a relationship because now, she misses it. Unforunately, this song does contain a suggestive lyric. "2am/Here you are/See your face, hear your voice in the dark."
Favorite Line: I wish you would know that I would never forget you as long as I live.

Bad Blood: This might be the one that was most anticipated. Maybe it was because, instead of writing it for an ex, she confessed she wrote for a fellow singer that used to be her friend. I expected it to be a "in your face" song, but it was quieter. Mixed with anger and regret, Taylor doesn't speak of forgiveness, but it's not as bad as "Better the Revenge." She also says she hurt her, but doesn't say what she actually did.
Favorite Line: It's so sad to think about the good times, you and I. (Such a relatable line to any broken relationship)

Wildest Dream: I'm sorry to say that I was not impressed with this song at all. Being the most graphic, it runs along the lines of "Blank Space." Taylor sings about a relationship that she knows won't last, but all she wants is for the guy to remember her. And this couple doesn't just kiss. With a title like "Wildest Dreams", you'd expect it to be upbeat. But it was slow and haunting. My least favorite. (also includes two h words that don't make much sense. At all)

How You Get The Girl: Ah, I adore this song! Undeniably pop, it's one of the happiest songs on the album. It tells the story of a guy who left a girl and then comes back, telling her he lost his mind when he left. Innocent and joyful, this song is wonderful.
Favorite Line: I want you for worse or for better.... I want you for forever and ever.

This Love: This was the only song Taylor wrote by herself. Usually, she writes half the album by herself. But this song was classic Taylor. It was sad, but talked about something very true. Sometimes we don't what we love until we let it go. If any song sounded the most like her old country, it was this one.  It might be the slowest song on the album, haunting and beautiful. There was an allude to something very inappropriate. "Tossing, turning, struggling, through the night with someone new."
Favorite Line: When you're young, you just run. But you come back to what you need.

I Know Places: Hmmm... this song was interesting. She sang about being in a relationship when you're a celebrity, when everyone follows you around and spreads rumors.  Taylor even added some genius metaphors that got the feeling across. I wasn't too crazy about the chorus though. She hit too many high notes and dragged it down. Also, there are a few questionable lyrics, including a d word.  "And you're dead at night."
Favorite Line: They are the hunters. We are the foxes. And we run.

Clean: There were a lot of tunes with unique sounds, but this song might be the most unique, compared to the others. More than that, it had a good meaning, a great closer. The lyrics weren't specific about much so it could relate to anything. Taylor was getting over a broken relationship. The metaphors and similes made it sound poetic. Her vocals were passionate. Under it, it had an encouraging message about getting over anything broken in your life. I bought this one too:)
Favorite line: 10 months older, I won't give in. Now that I'm clean, I'm never gonna risk it.

Overall, I really liked this album. There were a few songs I would've prepared not to have been included. Most of the time when Taylor mentions something inappropriate, she sounds regretful. Not this time, though. That bothered me a lot.

But no matter what genre it is, Taylor always manages to put some great meaning in all her songs. To me, it doesn't matter who she wrote it about. What matters is the fact that you can tell she did write it about somebody. These songs are so personal, yet relatable. I could relate to a few feelings in this album. Sadness. Love, Uncertainty. Anger. I loved it.

So while Taylor does produce a couple songs I won't listen to, her music still remains some of the most meaningful music in the industry and in any genre.