Taylor Swift Albums - With 'Versions'

Taylor Swift Albums - With 'Versions'

Mike Bell

Crawling Taylor Swift albums in my tube map underlines the extent of her commitment to music and creativity as a collaboration. is a global music icon known for her songwriting prowess and record-breaking releases.

Over the years, she has made an indelible impact on the music industry with a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums. Taylor Swift’s albums span multiple genres — from country origins to pop anthems and indie folk vibes — reflecting her evolution as an artist. 

She has released 11 studio albums and several live albums, each marking a distinct “era” in her career and contributing to her status as one of the best-selling musicians of her generation. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of Taylor Swift’s discography, including a complete list of her albums and an explanation of her ambitious re-recording project known as “Taylor’s Version.”

TAYLOR SWIFT (1/3) - '06 to '17 - Studio Album Music Map - Studio Album Maps - MikeBellMaps

Complete List of Taylor Swift Albums

Below is a chronological breakdown of all Taylor Swift albums, including her original studio albums and official live albums. Each release represents a chapter in Swift’s musical journey, showcasing her growth and the broadening of her artistic range:

  • 2006 – Taylor Swift (Studio Album) – Taylor’s self-titled debut album introduced her as a country artist. It features heartfelt songs like “Tim McGraw” and “Our Song,” and it established her songwriting reputation at a young age. This platinum-certified debut set the stage for the massive success to follow.
  • 2008 – Fearless (Studio Album) – Swift’s second album, Fearless, elevated her to superstar status. Blending country and pop, it includes hits such as “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me.” Fearless won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making Taylor (at 20) the youngest artist to earn that honor at the time. (This album was later re-recorded and released as Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in 2021.)
  • 2010 – Speak Now (Studio Album) – Written entirely by Swift, Speak Now further showcased her songwriting maturity. This country-pop record delivered fan favorites like “Back to December” and “Mean.” It solidified Swift’s dominance by debuting at No. 1 on the charts and earning multiple Grammy nominations. (Later re-recorded as Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in 2023.)
  • 2011 – Speak Now World Tour – Live (Live Album) – Recorded during the Speak Now era, this live album captures the energy of Taylor’s performances on her worldwide tour. It features live renditions of songs from her first three albums, illustrating her ability to connect with audiences in stadiums and arenas.
  • 2012 – Red (Studio Album) – Red marked a turning point, featuring a mix of country, pop, and rock influences. The album spawned the iconic single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and fan-favorite deep cuts like “All Too Well.” Red’s genre-blending style showed Swift’s versatility and earned critical praise. (Later re-recorded as Red (Taylor’s Version) in 2021.)
  • 2014 – 1989 (Studio Album) – With 1989, Taylor Swift fully embraced pop, leaving her country image behind. This 1980s-inspired pop album was a cultural phenomenon, including chart-topping hits like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” and “Style.” 1989 won Swift her second Album of the Year Grammy and solidified her position as a global pop superstar. (Later re-recorded as 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in 2023).
  • 2017 – Reputation (Studio Album) – Dark, bold, and brimming with attitude, Reputation addressed Swift’s public controversies and media portrayal head-on. Supported by singles like “Look What You Made Me Do,” the album’s sound ventured into electro-pop and R&B territory. Reputation was a massive commercial success, and its accompanying tour broke attendance records. (A future re-recording of this album, Reputation (Taylor’s Version), is highly anticipated.)
  • 2019 – Lover (Studio Album) – Lover ushered in a brighter, romantic pop tone, celebrating love and freedom. Released under a new label after Swift left her former record company, the album features hits like “Lover” and “You Need to Calm Down.” Lover received critical acclaim for its maturity and was one of the best-selling albums of 2019.
  • 2020 – Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008 (Live Album) – This album, released in 2020, contains live acoustic performances Swift recorded in 2008 for a radio show. Though recorded early in her career (during the Fearless era), it was officially released later, giving fans a nostalgic look at young Taylor’s live vocal talents.
  • 2020Folklore (Studio Album)—In a surprising pivot, Folklore showcased Swift’s indie folk and alternative side. Written and recorded during the pandemic, this introspective album includes storytelling masterpieces like “Cardigan” and “Exile.” Folklore earned Swift her third Album of the Year Grammy, highlighting her ability to excel across genres.
  • 2020 – Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (Live Album) – Recorded at Long Pond Studio, this live-in-studio album features stripped-down performances of Folklore tracks. Swift, along with collaborators Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, performs the songs in an intimate setting, providing insight into the songwriting and mood of Folklore. The recordings accompanied a Disney+ documentary of the same name.
  • 2020 – Evermore (Studio Album) – A sister record to Folklore, Evermore continued in the alternative folk-pop vein. Released just five months after Folklore, it delivered songs like “Willow” and “Champagne Problems.” Evermore further proved Swift’s songwriting depth, and together with Folklore, it defined a unique creative era in her discography.
  • 2022 – Midnights (Studio Album) – Swift’s tenth studio album, Midnights, returned to a synth-pop sound with a concept exploring late-night thoughts and confessions. Featuring tracks such as “Anti-Hero” and “Lavender Haze,” the album broke streaming records upon release. Midnights was both a commercial juggernaut and a testament to Swift’s continued innovation in pop music.
  • 2023 – Lover (Live from Paris) (Live Album) – This live release features recordings from Swift’s intimate “City of Lover” concert in Paris. Performed in September 2019 (shortly after the Lover album release) and released on streaming platforms in 2023, it includes live versions of songs from Lover. The album allows fans to experience the charm of Swift’s live vocals and storytelling in a cozy theater setting.
  • 2024 – The Tortured Poets Department (Studio Album) – Swift’s eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, is an ambitious double album that she surprise-released during her Eras Tour in 2024. Characterized by introspective lyrics and a blend of synth-pop and folk influences, the album (and its extended Anthology edition) earned widespread acclaim. The Tortured Poets Department broke multiple streaming and sales records, further cementing Taylor Swift’s legendary status.

(Note: Extended plays (EPs) and compilation albums are not listed here, but Swift has also released several EPs and soundtrack contributions throughout her career.)

TAYLOR SWIFT (1/3) - '06 to '17 - Studio Album Music Map - Studio Album Maps - MikeBellMaps

What is “Taylor’s Version”?

In recent years, fans have noticed some of Swift’s album titles followed by “(Taylor’s Version).” Taylor’s Version refers to Swift’s project of re-recording her earlier albums. After a very public dispute over the ownership of her master recordings, Taylor Swift set out to reclaim control of her music by re-recording albums from her back catalog.

Why re-record albums? The move came after Swift’s first six studio albums (from Taylor Swift through Reputation) were sold by her former record label to a new owner without her consent. Because the original masters were no longer under her ownership, Swift would not fully benefit from using those recordings in sales, streams, or licensing.

By creating new masters (the “Taylor’s Version” recordings), she could own the rights to her music and give fans an alternative to the old recordings. It was an unprecedented step by a major artist to protect her artistic legacy and financial interests.

Beyond the business motivations, the Taylor’s Version project has creative and sentimental significance as well. It allows Swift to update the production quality of her early songs and to sing them with the more mature vocals she has now. She also treats fans to bonus tracks – songs “from the Vault” that were written during the original album eras but never previously released.

Each re-recorded album becomes a celebration of that era, with Swift often dropping hints and easter eggs leading up to the release.

Albums released so far (Taylor’s Version): As of now, Taylor Swift has re-recorded and released four of the six targeted albums:

  • Fearless (Taylor’s Version) – Released in April 2021, this was the first re-recorded album, revisiting her 2008 classic Fearless. It included all the original tracks (and bonus tracks from the Platinum Edition) plus six previously unreleased “From the Vault” songs. Fearless (Taylor’s Version) was met with huge commercial success, even outperforming the original album on the charts.
  • Red (Taylor’s Version) – Released in November 2021, this expansive re-record of 2012’s Red features a massive 30-song tracklist. Notably, it includes the 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” which became a cultural sensation on its own. Fans and critics praised Red (Taylor’s Version) for its nostalgic yet refreshed take on a beloved album.
  • Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)—Released in July 2023, this album revisits 2010’s Speak Now, which Swift wrote entirely solo. The re-recording stays true to the originals while offering a polished sound, and it also adds several vault tracks featuring collaborations with other artists. It debuted at No. 1 in many countries, underlining the enduring popularity of Swift’s early work.
  • 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – Released in October 2023, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) revives Swift’s iconic 2014 pop album. Fans were eager to hear how she would handle pop anthems like “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” with her grown-up voice. The album didn’t disappoint — it was a streaming juggernaut, and it included five vault tracks that thrilled listeners with new content from the 1989 era.
Album Title Release Date Record Label
Taylor Swift October 24, 2006 Big Machine
Fearless November 11, 2008 Big Machine
Speak Now October 25, 2010 Big Machine
Red October 22, 2012 Big Machine
1989 October 27, 2014 Big Machine
Reputation November 10, 2017 Big Machine
Lover August 23, 2019 Republic
Folklore July 24, 2020 Republic
Evermore December 11, 2020 Republic
Midnights October 21, 2022 Republic
The Tortured Poets Department April 19, 2024 Republic
Fearless (Taylor's Version) April 9, 2021 Republic
Red (Taylor's Version) November 12, 2021 Republic
Speak Now (Taylor's Version) July 7, 2023 Republic
1989 (Taylor's Version) October 27, 2023 Republic

Each of these Taylor’s Version releases not only satisfied longtime fans but also made a strong statement in the music industry. Swift’s re-recordings often chart at No. 1 and even outperform the original recordings in streaming numbers and sales, demonstrating the loyalty of her fan base and the success of her strategy. Moreover, new listeners are now more likely to encounter Taylor’s Version of an album first, which further diminishes the commercial value of the old masters.

How to Identify a “Taylor’s Version” Album

With original albums and Taylor’s Version re-recordings both available, it’s helpful to know how to distinguish between them. Here are key features that identify a “Taylor’s Version” album:

  • Title Labeling: The most obvious clue is in the title. Re-recorded albums include “(Taylor’s Version)” in their official name. For example, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is the 2021 re-recording of 2008’s Fearless. Whenever you see Taylor’s Version next to an album name, you look at the new recording.
  • Release Year and Cover Art: Check the release date and album cover. Taylor’s Version albums were all released in 2021 or later, many years after the original versions. The album artwork is often similar in theme to the original but with updated photography and design. Swift usually shares new cover art when announcing a re-record, signaling a fresh take on that era.
  • Audio and Vocals: When you listen, you might notice Swift’s voice sounds more mature and refined in Taylor’s Version. These albums were sung by Taylor in her 30s, unlike the teenage or early-20s vocals on the originals. The production might also be slightly updated—often very faithful to the original but with subtle enhancements in mixing and instrumentation for modern listening.
  • Bonus Tracks (“From the Vault”): Taylor’s Version releases often contain additional songs that were not on the original album. These “From the Vault” tracks clearly indicate that you’re listening to the re-recorded edition. For instance, if you see a 10-minute track of “All Too Well” or duets with other artists on a familiar album, it’s definitely the new version.
  • Streaming Platform Indicators: On streaming services, the album name will explicitly say “Taylor’s Version”. Additionally, the copyright info (usually shown in the album details) will list the release year as 2021, 2022, 2023, etc., and the label as Taylor’s own imprint or her current record label (Republic Records) rather than Big Machine Records. These details confirm it’s the re-recorded album owned by Swift.

Impact on listening and charts: An important difference is that by choosing a Taylor’s Version album to stream or purchase, fans directly support Taylor Swift’s ownership of her work. This shift has had a real impact — for example, when Taylor’s 1989 Version was released, it reportedly garnered far more streams than the original 1989 did in the same period, indicating that most listeners switched to the new version. All of the re-recorded albums have topped charts worldwide, proving that the public is embracing these versions. In practical terms, when browsing Swift’s discography on a music platform or store, the Taylor’s Version albums are now front and center, often marked by that special designation in the title.

Future Re-recordings

With four re-recorded albums already out, many are wondering what comes next in the Taylor’s Version campaign. Taylor Swift has been methodically re-recording her first six albums, and at this point, two albums remain to complete the project: her self-titled debut (2006) and Reputation (2017).

  • Taylor Swift (Debut) – Taylor’s Version: Fans highly anticipate an updated take on Swift’s debut album. This record launched her career with country hits like “Teardrops on My Guitar” and “Tim McGraw.” A re-recording would allow Taylor to vocally reinterpret these teenage narratives from her adult perspective. There is speculation that Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) might include vault songs she wrote in her teens that never made the original cut. No official release date has been announced, but many believe this re-recording could arrive once Swift concludes other major projects (such as her ongoing tour).
  • Reputation – Taylor’s Version: Reputation is the most recent album that Swift doesn’t fully own, and 2017’s edgy, darker pop record will likely be the final one to get a Taylor’s Version treatment. Notably, Swift had to wait until late 2022 before she could legally re-record Reputation (five years after its original release). Now that the window has opened, a re-recording is expected. Reputation (Taylor’s Version) would let Swift revisit hits like “...Ready For It?” and “Delicate,” potentially with nuanced vocal differences. Given the album’s significance and the personal nature of its songs, fans are eager for any clues about when she will unveil this updated version.

After these two are released, Swift will have re-recorded all the albums from her Big Machine Records era, thereby fully owning new masters of her entire core discography. It’s worth noting that her later albums (Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Midnights, and The Tortured Poets Department) are already under her ownership, so they will not need Taylor’s Version re-releases. The completion of the re-recording project will mark a full-circle moment in Taylor’s fight for artists’ rights, and it will be a historic achievement in the music industry — demonstrating that an artist of her caliber can successfully encourage fans to embrace re-recorded work over the original recordings.

Conclusion

 

Taylor Swift’s albums collectively represent a remarkable evolution of an artist who has consistently pushed boundaries and reinvented herself. From the country roots of her debut to the bold pop reinventions and introspective folk tunes, the Taylor Swift albums catalog is diverse and influential. Moreover, her decision to undertake the Taylor’s Version re-recordings highlights her dedication to artistic ownership and integrity.


Each album — whether an original release or a re-recorded edition — tells part of Swift’s story, resonating with millions of listeners around the world.In summary, exploring Taylor Swift’s discography offers insight into how she became one of the defining musicians of the 21st century. Her albums not only deliver memorable music but also underscore industry-changing moves, like reclaiming her masters.

For fans and newcomers alike, delving into Taylor Swift’s albums (and recognizing the Taylor’s Version editions) is key to understanding the scope of her impact on music and popular culture. As Taylor Swift continues to write and re-write her musical legacy, her collection of albums remains a testament to her talent, resilience, and innovative spirit.
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