Taylor Swift’s 10th studio album, “Midnights,” was released on Oct. 21 and is already breaking records. Swift describes the essence of this new project on her Instagram, saying, “This is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams.” With more subdued hues, Swift explores moodier vocal effects and synths in an attempt to create an audial experience for the listener. Yet, fans note similarities from previous albums that make this piece nostalgic.
But before “Midnights” was “Red.” Swift isn’t a stranger to crafting heart wrenching, emotional masterpieces on her albums, but “All Too Well” sets her songwriting apart from the rest. On her newly re-recorded version of “Red (Taylor’s Version),” Swift realizes the uneasy reality of ending seemingly meaningful relationships, and the tumultuous heartbreak that follows. Each song is artistically diverse and unique in its own way, especially the fifth track of “Red,” “All Too Well.” The original five-minute song tells the story, from start to finish, of an innocent girl experiencing a devastating heartbreak with stunning lyricism and metaphor. Rivaling her previous album’s lengthy masterpiece, “Dear John,” Swift displays vulnerability that many artists lacked at the time. The fall imagery keeps the album relevant especially when the leaves turn brown and the temperatures cool.
For those who may not know, “All Too Well” was originally released on Swift’s fourth studio album “Red” on Oct. 22, 2012. A fervent album housing a variety of her top hits, from “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” to “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Red” skyrocketed Swift to new heights. “Red” encapsulates Swift’s taste for true emotion and her fiery spirit within the imagery surrounding this primary color. “Loving you was burning red,” she exclaims on her title track, and her transition in genre, from country to pure pop, changed the course of her career.
And while “All Too Well” as it was originally released boasted excellent, emotive lyricism, on Nov. 12, 2021, the rumored, 10-minute version of her iconic hit was finally released, and it surpassed all expectations. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” improves upon the original by making her audience privy to specific details she was too frightened to share as a young woman in the music industry. The extended version is a byproduct of Swift’s numerous years as an artist; it depicts her growth not only as a songwriter, but as a person as well.
Arguably, the most profound lyrics lie in the sixth verse before the outro: “And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?/ Just between us did the love affair maim you, too?” A twin flame is the idea that one soul can split into two separate bodies, creating an intense connection that reveals one’s deepest insecurities, fears and passions. Each person is thought to be a part of a missing half, and when they unite, a fire so strong ignites that it cannot be extinguished. Through delicate wordplay, Swift explains that the relationship left a mark on her that will take a while to heal. The use of color to symbolize emotions is a common theme within Swift’s discography, with blue typically being associated with wistful and heartbroken feelings. To put it plainly, Swift asks her ex-lover if they are upset about the loss of their relationship, but this matured version creatively twists her words into poetry. Furthermore, calling her relationship a “love affair” lessens the validity of their relationship, as “affair” contains a “Scarlet Letter” connotation. The juxtaposition between her deep emotions and his nonchalant attitude towards their love reveals the depths of Swift’s heartbreak. Without the additions of these lyrics, the song lacks the profundity instilled by the specificity of the new version.
With the newfound additions to Swift’s enigmatic story, “All Too Well” has aged gracefully. Even though there are new musical elements incorporated into the extended version, Swift ensured that the nostalgic original lyrics remained untouched. She understood the impact that the premier lyrics had on her 2012 fans and aimed to create a complex addition that depicted her growth as a songwriter and woman.
For those who were fans of Swift for her original 2012 release, they undoubtedly understood the intensity of her whirlwind romance. The newly improved 10-minute version is a ghostly, nostalgic flashback that paints a picture of a matured woman examining her first love specifically, while the original is more universal. Her fans grew with the song over the years. This extraordinary, mature lyricism is why “All Too Well” should be rendered a classic.