Taylor Swift has spoken. On May 5, the “Lavender Haze” singer gave Swifties the long-awaited news: the release date for “Speak Now (Taylor Version).” Swift made the announcement during her Eras Tour stop in Nashville, TN., her hometown. Shortly after the Grammy winner revealed the new album cover and the album’s release date, a bridge over the Cumberland River was lit up with purple lights in the singer’s honor.
“I think instead of me talking about it, I thought I’d show you, so if you direct your attention…” Swift said at the concert, per Variety. As she left, the screens behind her were filled with the new cover art for the “Speak Now” reissue, as well as the album’s July 7th release date.
The 33-year-old singer also made a statement via social media. “It fills me with such pride and joy to announce that my version of Speak Now will be out on July 7th (just in time for July 9th, iykyk π),” she tweeted. “I first made Speak Now, completely self-written, between the ages of 18 and 20. The songs that came from this time in my life were characterized by their brutal honesty, the diary statements or -simple and wild generosity. I love this album because it tells a story about growing up, touching, flying and crashing… and living to talk about it.β
She went on to reveal that the rebroadcast would also include six songs from “the vault”. “With six more songs left from the vault, I can’t wait to celebrate Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) with you on July 7,” she concluded.
Swift also included a special note for fans about how special “Speak Now” is to her. “I have always looked at this album as my album, and the lump in my throat expands into a trembling voice as I say this,” she wrote. “Thank you, dear reader, it will be finally. I think this music, along with your faith in me, is the best thing I’ve ever had.”
It fills me with such pride and joy to announce that my version of Speak Now will be out on July 7th (just in time for July 9th, iykyk π) I did Speak Now first, to completely self-written, between the ages of 18 and 20 The songs that came from this time in my life were characterized by theirβ¦ pic.twitter.com/oa0Vs5kszr
β Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 6, 2023
Longtime Swift fans will know that she wrote all the songs on the “Speak Now” solo in response to accusations that she wasn’t a true songwriter. Unfortunately, that is a claim that is still being circulated by people who are trying to dismiss the “All Too Well” singer as an artist.
In a January interview with the LA Times, Blur frontman Damon Albarn completely dismissed Swift’s songwriting skills. “[Taylor Swift] she doesn’t write her own songs. There’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes,” the 54-year-old British musician told the outlet. “A very interesting songwriter is Billie Eilish and her brother . It’s just darker – less relentless. Much smaller and more unusual.”
It didn’t take long before Swift responded directly to Albarn’s claims that she doesn’t write her own songs. “I was so into you until I saw this. I write ALL my own songs,” she fall on January 24th. “Your hot comment is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but you are too willing to try to insult my writing. WOW.”
Albarn later apologized for his commentstweeting: “I totally agree with you. I had a conversation about songwriting and unfortunately it was reduced to clickbait. I’m sorryβββββββ and unconditionally. The last thing I would to do it disrupts your songwriting. I hope you understand.”
At the time, the exchange made many fans think of “Speak Now.” That’s because every song on “Speak Now,” her third album, was written by Swift solo. The album also features a vengeance towards his critics in the fun and sassy track “Mean.” “Speak Now” has long been a response to people who think Swift can’t write good songs on her own.
“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” is Swift’s third album to be re-released. Way back in 2019, she announced that she was going to re-record her first six albums and all the music she released before changing record companies. She said that her previous company, Big Machine Records, would not let her buy back her master records, so she would just make new ones. New versions of “Fearless” and “Red,” called “Taylor’s Versions,” came out in 2021, leading many fans to speculate that she would release more of the albums rescheduled in 2022. But Swift ended up changing things this year with the release of “Midnights.”
Swift has technically released one song “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” already. In March, she released four new songs, including “If This Was a Movie (Taylor’s Version)”; the original was a deluxe version of “Speak Now.”
Read on for everything we know about “Speak Now (Taylor Version)” so far.
When will “Speak Now (Taylor Version)” be released?
“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” will be released on July 7. The special purple vinyl is already available for pre-order.
What is the Album Tracklist?
“Speak Now” includes classic Swift songs like “Dear John,” “The Story of Us,” and “Never Grow Up.” The re-release will feature six additional tracks, bringing the total number of songs on “Taylor’s Version” to 22. However, the singer has yet to reveal any information about the additional tracks.
