Taylor Swift is known for leading her albums with an introduction, or what she calls a prologue. When she released “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” on October 27, fans were treated to a plethora of new paragraphs to dissect. The original “1989” album was released in 2014, marking a shift in Swift’s career as she moved to New York, dabbled in pop music, and made headlines for her girl squad rather than her romantic relationships. The prologue in Taylor’s latest release addresses the misconceptions surrounding her friendships and responds to rumors about her sexuality. She humorously explains that surrounding herself with female friends was not meant to start a hot girl cult but may have been a result of lacking such friendships in her childhood. The full prologue can be found below.
The prologue to “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” consists of two parts: a handwritten message and a typed note. The longer prologue includes the language from the handwritten portion at the end. In the handwritten section, Taylor expresses her gratitude and amazement at the impact the album has had on her life. Interestingly, fans noticed that Taylor capitalized the letter T multiple times throughout her message, which added to the mystique surrounding the album. The typed prologue delves deeper into Taylor’s reinvention during her mid-20s, where she discusses her decision to change her hairstyle and completely transform herself in various aspects. She shares her desire to experiment with pop sounds and lyrics and her need to distance herself from the media’s slut-shaming narrative. Taylor goes on to discuss the challenges she faced and the profound lessons she learned during this period. She acknowledges the unwavering support of her fans and the deep connection they share. The prologue ends with Taylor’s realization that this album has been a journey shared with her loyal listeners and her excitement in presenting “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” to them.
Comparing the prologue of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” to the original “1989” album, it is clear that Taylor is evolving as an artist and person. The new prologue delves deeper into her experiences, emotions, and motivations than the initial foreword in “1989.” It provides valuable insights into Taylor’s growth and development over the years, offering fans a more intimate and personal connection to her music.
