Taylor Swift has been designated Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023, signaling a year defined by remarkable influence in music, culture, and beyond. The accolade reflects not only her chart-topping records but also the broader impact of her artistry on fans and conversations across the industry.
On the very Friday following the announcement, Swift released 1989 (Taylor’s Version), a re-recorded interpretation of the 2014 smash that started a larger mission: reclaim ownership of her master recordings. The project represents a strategic and artistic move to regain control of the rights to her catalog, a stance that has resonated with artists and audiences about artists’ rights and the economics of music publishing.
In this fourth installment of Taylor’s Version, Swift infused the album with six previously unreleased tracks, expanding the story of the beloved 1989 era. Songs such as “Slut!,” “Say Don’t Go,” “Now,” What We Don’t Talk About, and Suburban Legends broaden the narrative and offer fans fresh perspectives on familiar material, while maintaining the core production with contemporary fidelity and Swift’s updated vocal performances.
The release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) followed the momentum generated by Swift’s prior re-recordings, which allowed listeners to experience reinterpretations of iconic hits like “Blank Space,” “Style,” and “Shake It Off” in new sonic textures. These re-recordings have been part of a broader discourse about artistic ownership and creative autonomy in the modern music industry.
Swift began this re-recording project after the sale of her former record label, Big Machine, to Scooter Braun, a move that sparked extensive discussion about copyright ownership, artist rights, and the tensions between creative control and corporate acquisitions. The completion of this project marks a significant milestone in Swift’s ongoing effort to shape the long-term trajectory of her music catalog and to define how artists can steward their work in a rapidly changing landscape. [Source: Time magazine overview; industry reports on artist rights and catalog ownership]