Loving him was RED.

By: Blair Threatt

The sultry, songwriting, superstar is at it again. Taylor Swift has just released her
newest album titled RED. This album has 16 tracks including the albums lead
single We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, which sold more than 1 million
downloads in its first three weeks. Her album overall is close to selling over 2.8
million worldwide. With a new tour to come next, and venues like the Staples Center
in Los Angeles selling out in two minutes, we could only imagine how this woman
must feel. In an effort to define Red, I did my own personal interpretation of each
song on this new album and the meaning each song tries to convey to its audience.
1. State of Grace: This first track is a beautiful way to open her newest album.
Taylors vocals pierce the seemingly empty space. Using lyrics like We fall in
love until it hurt or bleeds, or fades in time, showing off the maturity and
honesty sophistication of her new music. Overall it truly embodies the
essence of beautiful symbolic poetry.
2. Red: This song is the classic Taylor Swift song we have all grown to love.
Here she is talking about the feeling you get when youre head over heels in
love with someone. The songs pop and catchy tune sprinkled with a little bit
of country, truly embodies her new view of the emotional experience that
comes with love.
3. Treacherous: This track definitely gives off a gentler vibe, while showing
off a true fragile side to Taylor. She explores the meaning of finding someone
to love. But how it may not be the best idea to get involved with them.
4. I Knew You Were Trouble: Experimentation is the perfect word to describe
this next song. Taylor truly shows how she can step out of her comfort zone
with the sound of her music. She is able to show the hate for an ex-boyfriend
through a doubstep chorus that you cant help but get stuck in your head.
5. All Too Well: If you liked Sparks Fly and Enchanted off of her last album
Speak Now then this song will be perfect for you. Taylor provides almost a
mixture of the two in both sound and lyric. This smooth tempo and slightly
upbeat ballad allows her to reflect and share the memories of a past
relationship.
6. 22: In this next song Taylor shows off her youth once again in an upbeat
and pop sounding track. It is a perfect example of a girls anthem and
definitely a must for a girls night out. It gives off the essence of her other
song 15 from 4 years ago. But this one is not only more cheerful but more
empowering.
7. I Almost Do: Is another very mellow yet serious ballad. Taylor expresses
that she is definitely in love, but shes not so sure if she wants to be.
8. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together: Youll definitely be singing this
chorus over and over again. Taylor shows off her strength of leaving a
relationship through this pop and dance like track.
9. Stay, Stay, Stay: This song is very refreshing not only for Taylor as an artist
but just in general. It possesses a new sound using a folky guitar and banging
drums. Giving off an indescribable lightness to the sound of the track.
10. The Last Time: This next track is very dramatic and that can be seen with
the strong piano chords throughout the song. The slow pace of gives off a
very romantic vibe, and one that is also very haunting in a way. It is one of
two duets on the album. This one in particular features Gary Lightbody of
Snow Patrol.
11. Holy Ground: A fast paced tune with a little essence of rock-n-roll. It
celebrates the memories of a past relationship.
12. Sad Beautiful Tragic: In this song you can truly hear Taylors vocal abilities.
Even though the theme of the song is quite sad, her voice is purely amazing.
13. The Lucky One: When trying to find the meaning behind this track it was a
bit more confusing than the others. But when it came down to it I felt that it
was a self-reflection of Taylor of how fame can be great but there is also a
downside to the greatness it possesses. In a way it gives off a more
meaningful version of Lucky by Britney Spears.
14. Everything Has Changed: This ballad is a very simple duet featuring Ed
Sheeran. It is definitely a cute song but nowhere near as impressive as some
of her other tracks.
15. Starlight: This could be seen as the sequel to Sparks Fly off of her last
album Speak Now. This song is probably the most euphoric track on the
record over all.
16. Begin Again: Taylor couldnt have picked or written a better song to
conclude the album with. This song takes all of the emotion found in the
previous tracks and wraps it into one. It is full of both honesty and passion.
Showing the meaning of love and how it can both end and begin once again.
Overall RED is a great album filled with a variety of sounds and meanings
throughout. Taylor Swift truly has matured and it shows in both her depth and
the overall credibility that is seen within this album.