Her name is Taylor Swift, and she was born in 1989! “1989,” was Taylor’s fifth studio album, and her first, technically, pop album. This album, which began the journey into her most popular genre, was initially released to the public in 2014.¹ Recently, the “Taylor’s Version” of this album has come out, on October 27, 2023. Taylor’s Version of songs or albums is her re-recording of old songs, so she can own her music, as her first six albums were sold to Scooter Braun.²

The new album has the original 16 songs, but she added five new vault tracks. Songs that are from the vault or vault tracks are songs that were written at the time of the album, but never released, or heard by/to the public. The tracks released are titled: “Sl*t!", “Is it over now?”, “Now That We Don’t Talk”, “Suburban Legends”, and “Say Don’t Go”.

“Sl*t!” was widely suspected to be a super fast, high-energy song by a lot of fans, but it turned out to be a slow love song that evoked emotion.³ Before the release, Taylor leaked a few lyrics, one being from the song,
“Aquamarine, moonlit swimmin'’ pool
What if all I need is you?” ⁴
No one expected to come from a song titled, “Sl*t!”. This song ended up resonating with me and I would give it an 8/10. I liked it but it wasn’t my favorite of the vault tracks.

The second vault track was, “Say Don’t Go”. I interpret the meaning as an empty relationship, where she got lead on. She's deeply in love, but the other person isn't giving it back, and she wants the other to say that they love her back and won't leave again. This is most obvious in the lyrics:
“I said ‘I love you’
You say nothing back
Why’d you have to lead me on?
Why’d you have to twist the knife
Walk away and leave me
Bleeding, bleeding?
Why’d you whisper in the dark
Just to leave me in the night?
Now your silence has me
Screaming, screaming.”⁵
Again I do like this song, but it's not my favorite of the tracks, 7/10.

The third vault track is, “Now That We Don’t Talk.” This song is about an old relationship that has a good ending, at least for her. Everything seems better after they cut off contact, and everyone in her life is happy that they are excommunicated, and she doesn't have to conform to what they want. I’d give the song an 8/10. A few lines proving this are,
“Now that we don’t talk
I called my mom, she said that it was for the best
Remind myself the more I gave, you’d want me less”⁵

The fourth vault track is called, “Suburban Legends,” and it's about people who were meant to be together and meant for fame. An unforgettable relationship, one of chaos and extremity. One that was like a dream, or for better or for worse. I love this song as well, it’s probably a 7/10.
“I broke my own heart ‘cause you were too polite to do it
Waves crash to the shore
I dash to the door
You don’t knock anymore
And I always knew it
That my life would be ruined”⁵

The fifth final, and my favorite vault track is, “Is It Over Now?”, it’s another song about Harry Styles and the rough parts of their relationship. The public viewed their relationship as good, and him being one of the “good” exes that she has, but in this song, he got “All Too Well”’-ed. The song has shaken both of their fans and called out things that were unseen by supporters of their relationship, but it isn’t either of their faults because they were both young, after a string of Taylor’s older boyfriends.⁶ The bridge is probably my favorite part in its entirety, but some of my favorite lyrics are,
“Let’s fast forward to three hundred awkward blind dates later
If she’s got blue eyes I will surmise you’ll probably date her
You dream of my mouth before it called you a lying traitor
You search in every model’s bed for something greater”⁵
As I mentioned, this is my favorite of the vault tracks. It’s catchy and has been stuck in my head since the release date, 10/10.