Taylor Swift is no stranger to working with the best in the business. From her long-time producer and best friend Jack Antonoff to her collaborations with singers like Kendrick Lamar and Chris Stapleton, TS knows how to do it right. However, somebody was missing on 1989 (Taylor’s Version), and the internet has some thoughts. Who is this person, you ask? None other than Max Martin.
Karl Martin Sandberg, professionally known as Max Martin, is a Swedish songwriter and producer and also the genius we have to thank for a few of 1989’s original tracks. Martin has written over 400 songs for some of the best artists, and y’all, they are good songs: “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, “Side To Side” by Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, and of course, 1989 tracks for Taylor Swift, just to name a few. Clearly, Martin is a musical genius and he works with the best of the best. No wonder Blondie collaborated with him.
Previously, Martin worked with TS on 1989 tracks, including “Blank Space,” and “Shake It Off.” The iconic sound and production of Martin’s songs are truly what brought 1989 together. Because Martin helped create the magic that is 1989, many people are wondering where he was for its re-release.
As it stands, neither Swift nor Martin have commented about their lack of collaboration in recent years. Perhaps Martin is just exploring other artists outside of Swift, or maybe Blondie wanted to truly make this re-record her own. Regardless, it doesn’t seem like there’s much “Bad Blood” (wink) between the two.
However, that’s not stopping Swifties from wondering where he is on 1989 (Taylor’s Version).
the production on 1989 tv sounds so empty WHERE WAS MAX MARTIN pic.twitter.com/kTWdccQcGb
— ً (@fromthetrauma) October 27, 2023
so she needs to release 1989 (taylor’s version) (max martin edition) because this did not do style and new romantics justice.
— CoolChicken3 (@CooIChicken3) October 27, 2023
Sorry to say I think the tracks previously produced by Max Martin suffer on 1989 like they did on Red
— Jennie (@jenlouisey_) October 27, 2023
the max martin erasure on 1989 tv….😩 pic.twitter.com/hwXfuipear
— big bobbers (@BigBobberz) October 27, 2023
swifties need to bully taylor swift into bringing max martin back for reputation tv because jack antonoff absolutely ruined the vault tracks for 1989 tv.
— 𝔱𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔬𝔯🫶🏼🇵🇷 (@trevorhacker) October 27, 2023
It seems like Swifties want their dad (Max Martin) back.
Max Martin pls come back we need you
— hanna (@hannuh39) October 27, 2023
max martin how could you let this happen to STYLE
— bludthinkhecarti (@bludthinkcarti) October 27, 2023
re-recording an album that Max Martin was so heavily involved in without having him be part of the process was always gonna be such a stupid decision and this tv suffers greatly for it.
— sierra but spookier (@sierra_mp3) October 27, 2023
Some Swifties are begging for Max Martin to return for Reputation TV. Honestly? I’m among them, too.
if max martin isn’t coming back for rep tv she can just keep that album to herself pic.twitter.com/6LkJLPxkhJ
— ☆ (@elitestarks) October 27, 2023
max martin pls come back for reputation tv we don’t want aaron jack chris anymore pic.twitter.com/NtMztJvxBb
— ari (@maroonslegacy) October 27, 2023
Max Martin if you don’t come back for Reputation TV … pic.twitter.com/Nu3Zi3HhXZ
— Jared Alexander (@heyyitsjared) October 27, 2023
who’s starting the gofundme for taylor to afford max martin on reputation tv
— luis (@folxIore) October 26, 2023
Personally, I think 1989 TV is stellar, but I do agree that the sound and vibe of some songs are not the same. But, I won’t question Blondie’s decisions — she clearly knows what she’s doing.