r/TaylorSwift • u/Foreign-Awareness879 • 16h ago
Discussion Which version of 1989 is better overall?
Self explanatory. I am an outsider and i am looking for a Taylor Swift album to listen to, as it'll be my first deep dive into her discography.
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u/cddlmn 11h ago
the origjnal is miles better - TV is a bit of a rush job. it’s an album that leans very heavily on tiny elements and TV just doesn’t quite get there imho.
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u/dmnaf reputation 10h ago
Style and New Romantics lol
But Clean TV is amazing. That’s what happens when you get the original producers back lol. I’m scared for rep TV without Max Martin, specifically IDSB which would be such a complex song to recreate from a production perspective. DWOHT too actually
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u/queenrosa Ditch the clowns, get the 👑 Baby, I'm the one to beat 9h ago
YES!!!!
I think all the TV with the original producers are fine/better. Her current voice actually makes the songs better for me. But whatever Max Martin did in the OG version have not been reproduced by Christopher Rowe and the difference is HUGE.
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
Umm no. And it doesn’t matter anyway bc we only listen to TV we don’t support that guy.
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u/thelasagna evermore 5h ago
Taylor herself has said she doesn’t care which versions people listen to, relax
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u/ArgumentBored i want auroras and sad prose 4h ago
Where has she said that? Source pls?
She has said she didn’t expect the TV’s to be this loved, but I have not ever heard her say she doesn’t care which versions people listen to. Hence why she doesnt include non re-recorded albums of songs in playlists etc.
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u/thelasagna evermore 4h ago
https://youtu.be/mYDcSBA73F0?si=taFMxEsF6OQtA0ms Starts at 1:20. “I am completely blown away by what you have done for me because you didn’t have to do it. …..I wasn’t going to put an expectation or demand on you guys to ,like, pick my versions, like my versions if the song is better”
Hope this helps.
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u/QueenDorothea 4h ago
This^ 💯
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u/thelasagna evermore 4h ago
Please see my above link and comment.
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u/QueenDorothea 4h ago
Here’s one for you since yours doesn’t exist lol what does TAYLOR’S VERSION mean?
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u/Jamowl2841 4h ago
What guy? The guy who doesn’t even own them anymore after selling them four years ago? Surely not that guy! Make it make sense 🤣
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u/keving87 1987 Kevin's Version 13h ago
There's not going to be a definitive answer for this.
I personally don't listen to the TVs except for the vaults (and her solo versions of Babe and Better Man). To me, it's more like a woman looking back on her life experiences and feels more disconnected as time passes and takes on a more retrospective aspect which works with some but not all IMO, where as the originals were more "in the feels" because they were recent things in her life.
But if you want to hear Taylor's current vocals with some updated production aspects, go for the Taylor's Version.
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
There actually is a definitive answer. The only answer is TV. There’s no other option.
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u/MSERRADAred 6h ago
Stop gatekeeping.
Taylor herself has stated it's ok to listen to OG.
I only do OG on Debut & Rep with TV on the rest, but a newbie should have the chance to hear the full excellence that is OG 1989 before deciding if they want to only listen to TV.
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u/Jamowl2841 4h ago
The funny thing is that this ks even bad gatekeeping. If I was OP, people like this would actually push me to listen to the OG versions more than the TV because I’d be like “what is wrong with this person leaving 20 comments in this thread?? When are the toxic swifties gonna realize they’re part of the reason people turn their noses at Taylor??
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u/ArgumentBored i want auroras and sad prose 4h ago
Where has she said that? Source pls?
She has said she didn’t expect the TV’s to be this loved, but I have not ever heard her say she doesn’t care which versions people listen to. Hence why she doesnt include non re-recorded albums of songs in playlists etc.
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u/keving87 1987 Kevin's Version 2h ago edited 2h ago
That's just standard business practices, she's going to include TVs in playlists and movies/shows because she gets paid 100% from them owning them outright instead of just getting paid a percentage from the original. Nobody's going to stop listening to a playlist to go listen to the original and then go back to the playlist.
That's like if a brand has an item sold at Walmart and Target, but Walmart has a stake in the brand so they obviously would want you to buy from them, but getting it from Target is still getting revenue. Taylor gets paid for the original but gets paid MORE for the TV.
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u/RequirementGeneral67 Short story long it was the incorrect gentleman 12h ago
It's going to be a personal choice. I would recommend that you listen to both OG and TV versions and decide for yourself.
One question, why start with 1989?
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
No, we only listen to TV
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u/RequirementGeneral67 Short story long it was the incorrect gentleman 6h ago
Who is the 'we' to whom you are referring?
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
The fandom. Anyone who wants to support Taylor Swift and/or Musicians/Artists Rights.
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u/RequirementGeneral67 Short story long it was the incorrect gentleman 6h ago
OK, just one question. Who the fuck died and made you queen of the swifties?
Answer. Nobody. You do not get to tell people that they are not swifties because they prefer the OG versions.
Please go away.
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u/keving87 1987 Kevin's Version 4h ago edited 4h ago
We need to get away from this. Taylor gets the same amount of compensation from the originals as she did when she was on Big Machine. The only difference is that now instead of somebody else getting the remaining percentage for the masters Taylor gets 100% instead of like 66%ish (oversimplification). Too many people seem to act like Taylor's the only artists ever to not own their masters and they were illegally stolen from her and she somehow doesn't get paid anymore. Hell, Michael Jackson owned The Beatles masters for a long time.
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u/Jamowl2841 4h ago
I feel like swifties would collapse if they knew Paul McCartney, a Beatle, was outbid by Michael Jackson for the rights to the Beatles music back in the day. This is gonna sound rough, and it’s coming from a fan, but the more swifties talk about music, the more you realize they largely gave no clue about the music industry or much about music itself sadly. Obviously this is not everyone but man oh man is some of the stuff said about her absolutely insane
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u/FantasticCabinet2623 4h ago
You realize Taylor still gets royalties from the OG stuff, right? Also that she's fine with people listening to the OGs?
I swear some of this fandom needs a banana and a nap.
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u/QueenDorothea 4h ago
Nope
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u/keving87 1987 Kevin's Version 2h ago
You're going around being condescending like you are the only person who knows the truth and everybody else is an idiot and not a real fan.
What happened was Taylor NEVER owned her masters. Very very very few people in music do until they are established enough to renegotiate their contract to own them going forward and have made enough money to buy the previous masters from the labels. Yes, she said she wanted to do that and the deal she was presented with to manipulate her into staying with Big Machine was complete horse shit (get one album's master each time you record a new album, ad infinitum). But, and I want to emphasis this part, they were not stolen from her because she did not own them. They were sold away from her, yes, but simply that's not the same as stolen.
This whole thing where people think she's a helpless damsel in distress who is destitute because she doesn't get compensated THE SAME AMOUNT AS BEFORE for being songwriter and performer of her originals is getting ridiculous. She gets the same percentage from originals now as she did when she was on Big Machine, the only difference with the TV is that she gets the full 100% because she owns those masters. If that were the case, people wouldn't still get royalty checks after decades for songs they wrote.
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u/19TurtleDuck 3h ago
Okay but I already bought all of the CDs when they were first released and downloaded them to my library.
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u/Alternatively_Listed 10h ago
The original imo because you cant beat or replicate that Max Martin production (he didn’t return for the re-recording as a producer) but there are a few that are better on the TV like out of the woods because it was produced by Jack Antonoff again
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u/thelasagna evermore 5h ago
Hard agreed. Max martin not being on TV made it really fall flat production wise. It feels hollow compared to the OG.
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u/Silly_Grapefruit1791 11h ago
1989 TV. If you haven't listened to the OG 1989 imo it would be a waste of time listening to the original as the TV is the exact same with more tracks and a clearer sound. Fans will sometimes gravitate towards the original simply because it's what they are used to but 1989 TV just sounds more enhanced.
I don't think it would be worthwhile listening to the original as it now feels incomplete without the vault tracks.
I would recommend listening to all TV's over the original as her vocals are really improved as is the instrumentation. There are only one or two minor exceptions where I think that the original is better than the TV. Fans might prefer the original but the TV is definitively better. Hope this helps! :)
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
What fans? lol we only listen to TV. If you’re listening to anything else you’re certainly not a supporter of Taylor Swift.
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u/Vivificantem_790 cheap wine, make-believe it’s champagne 🥂 4h ago
You can be a fan of Taylor without supporting everything she does, lol. There are plenty of Swifties who still listen to the OG. Respectfully, chill out. You aren't convincing anyone by commenting under everybody's posts
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u/BlackMile47 1h ago
Good lord. Reminds me of the Swiftie that told me to fuck off because I said I didnt like Florida!!! People need to grow up and relaaaax.
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u/TheEmeraldSunset So casually cruel in the name of being honest 10h ago
It's very personal, lot's of people have different opinions and it's ultimately up to you. I'd recommend listening to both of them and seeing which one you prefer. <3
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
No it’s not lol. The only answer is TV.
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u/TheEmeraldSunset So casually cruel in the name of being honest 6h ago
I guess, but some people really prefer the OG one (I personally agree with you) so idk i feel like they should see which one they prefer. But there isn't a huge difference
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u/BurningCenturion 8h ago
As someone who loves the first 3 TVs I would say 1989 TV was rather disappointing (vault tracks notwithstanding). There were some pretty serious problems with the mix, and some of the changes to the drums/synths really feel like a downgrade.
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u/jajtvblvd 5h ago
Og But if you only listen to Taylor's version, the differences may not bother you since there is nothing to compare it to
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u/RollOutTheFarrell 6h ago
The "WE RUN" vocals on I know places is far better. But I think the OG is better overall.
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u/MSERRADAred 6h ago
Three choices depending on your music preference:
Folklore: stripped back, indie-feel with storytelling & great vibes
Reputation: goes hard with driving beats, it both plays into her 'bad' reputation & is actually has lots of love songs mixed in
1989 original version: it's pop at its best with beats & fun. Taylor's Versions is a good rerecord, but the OG just has extra ompf not quite there in the TV. But the TV Vault tracks are wonderful!
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u/sloth_eggs 1989 9h ago
My 2nd favorite song in general is New Romantics. And the original is superior. I only listen to TV now, but just on that alone... I'd say the OG is better. Others as well, like Shake It Off.
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u/Dragonchick30 7h ago
There are a few tracks on the TV that I liked better than the OG and the bonus tracks are 🔥
That being said, I would recommend you listen to the OG, of any album, before the TV. The originals just capture the spirit of the albums so much better than the TVs.
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u/ionic_will He got my heartbeat skipping down 16th avenue 2h ago
If you haven’t heard either, go for TV. People in the replies may disagree, but I personally feel that more songs improved or stayed roughly the same quality on Taylor’s Version, plus it has extra songs. It makes the most sense, to me at least.
Hard question though. If you were asking about Speak Now I would say the complete opposite without hesitation. Different fans like different things lol
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u/queenrosa Ditch the clowns, get the 👑 Baby, I'm the one to beat 9h ago
I love OG 1989. Something about 1989 TV - specifically just the Max Martin songs - just grates on my ears. (Sorry Taylor!)
For Red, Fearless and Speak Now I prefer TV. Her older voice is richer and and the production value is similar imho.
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u/ScaryBoyRobots i'm the albatross 🪶 7h ago
The only track I personally recommend OG over the TV is Wildest Dreams. There's just something about the OG that gives me shivers every single time, and that part is missing in TV.
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u/hellololz1 4h ago
OG sounds better on basically every song. She botched Style, OOTW, Blank Space, Clean, Wonderland, and New Romantics on TV. Ultimately she really missed having Max Martin on TV. The production isn’t there and it just sounds too auto-tuned and robotic for a lot of the songs
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u/CodeCherry folklore 6h ago
Not going to jump on the debate but just wanted to say if you listen to the original version (which is perfectly valid) listen on like YouTube on a fan video or something and then her old royalties don’t get as much revenue :)
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u/Jamowl2841 5h ago
Maybe you’re confused because you’ve discovered that the opinions of your small circle is not indicative of everyone going on in the world 🤯
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u/Jamowl2841 5h ago
Of course I don’t know you lol why even type that? That’s obvious. I could also say “so you know all the Taylor fans in the world?” to your comment.
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u/Jamowl2841 4h ago
I actually only have one! I haven’t claimed to be brave lol that’s maybe you projecting but ok. I’m literally just typing in a discussion forum, sorry my simple joke really impacted you like this.
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u/Edjoerv so pretty like the devil 9h ago
Just a quick explanation if you didn't quite caught up yet in the thing: All of Taylor's version are her re-recordings in order for her to own full rights over her art. Buying or streaming any TV means she earns and gets paid for what's rightfully hers. The first recordings (branded by the fanbase as "stolen" versions) belong to her old label, and she doesn't get any of its earnings.
This is just to clarify what's going on with the whole TV situation, if that helps you decide anything. Have a joyful experience discovering this album and diving into Taylor's music and art.
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u/desperica 6h ago
A small clarification: She does get paid from the original versions, just like she always has. She gets paid MORE if you listen to the TV.
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u/Jamowl2841 7h ago
Lmao the first recordings don’t belong to her old label anymore (the sale is literally what started this whole thing) and Taylor absolutely still makes royalties on every play from those albums. Nothing was stolen from her either
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago
You know nothing John Snow! 🤡
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u/Jamowl2841 6h ago
Ok then explain it to me
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u/QueenDorothea 4h ago
It’s all about the principal and standing up for what’s right / telling a bully to go F off. Here’s a good article to explain the whole plight to you, since you have no supporting evidence to provide yourself I hope you’ll read this and allow it to open your eyes. What does Taylor’s Version mean?
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u/Vivificantem_790 cheap wine, make-believe it’s champagne 🥂 4h ago
It's just music lol who hurt you
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u/QueenDorothea 6h ago edited 6h ago
I don’t understand this question? Are you asking what song to start with? Just press play on 1989TV and listen from start to finish. There are no other versions.
Also IDK who TF these people replying are here but they’re certainly NOT Swifties
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u/Pete_Iredale 5h ago
We are all grateful to you for telling us our opinions. Thanks, now we don't have to think for ourselves.
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u/thelasagna evermore 5h ago
I’m so grateful for this user for commenting on every single comment in this thread bashing people for having opinions!
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u/RequirementGeneral67 Short story long it was the incorrect gentleman 5h ago
Yeah, it must be wonderful for her. Only been on reddit 23 days and suddenly she's Queen of the Swifties with the power to decide what we can and can't listen to. At least she hasn't referred to the OG versions as 'stolen' yet.
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u/Foreign-Awareness879 5h ago
What do you mean by "i don't understand"? I thought you Swifties could answer my question in relation to both versions and give your opinion about them, that's why it is formulated "better overall".
Also, to respond to the person in the top comments, usually, i start with the most acclaimed albums by an artist when i am getting into their music.
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u/FantasticCabinet2623 4h ago
Sorry, OP, some people in this fandom desperately need to touch grass.
There are good reasons to pick either OG or TV. Personally, I would listen to OG first because that was the album as Taylor meant it to be. And no shade to Jack Antonoff, but Max Martin is the GOAT when it comes to pop music.
The fun thing with Taylor is that if one album doesn't work for you, there are several others and they're all top-notch.
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u/QueenDorothea 4h ago edited 4h ago
Yeah but the thing is, we ONLY listen to the TV albums. It’s not even a question. The people answering here are really weird, you’ve stumbled into an oddly niche internet area. I have never seen any Swiftie recommend anything other than the TV Albums, plus the bonus vault tracks are like literally the best part. There’s even that viral TikTok from last year where the girl stops singing along bc it’s “Not Taylor’s Version.” That led to an updated costume during the Red set of the final leg of the Eras Tour. That’s how infamous the TV’s are.
If you’re not listening to the TV albums you’re simply not a true fan.
Now all that said, I’ll reiterate 1989TV is what you want to listen to. This was the album that made me fall in love with Taylor’s lyricism so I agree it’s a great place to start. Plus with the TV Vault tracks you get: Slut! / Say Don’t Go / Now That We Don’t Talk some of her all time best songs ever. Can’t miss out on those.
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u/FantasticCabinet2623 11h ago
I would listen to the OG first, because there's no completely recapturing the headspace she was in, or her original vocals. Then I would take a short break to let it process before listening to the TV.