-EDITED BY KHUSHI SINGH
I do not know about Emma, but I’m definitely in love. Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is everything that made the album monumental in the first place and more. From the melancholic melodies to the nostalgic apologies and the enchanting love songs, the ‘from the vault’ tracks are reminiscent of the same tenacious voicing of one’s thoughts.
After doing my fair share of research, I realised writing a review-esque article would be incredibly daunting and repetitive. The album is amazing, always was, period.
So, here’s a list of oddly specific things to do while listening to the 1 hour 44 minutes long, 22 track album!
Mine: It is late at night, you just changed into your outfit for sleeping, but the bed is the last place to think about this pyjama party. You and your friends share cupcakes and end up dancing, screaming, crying, throwing up to this song.
Sparks Fly: Screaming in the car, on a long drive in the hills
Back To December: You have to bake banana bread to this. Imagine mixing the wet ingredients with the dry ones to “so, this is me swallowing my pride…..I go back to December, turn around and make it alright”. Feels right, doesn’t it.
Speak Now: While shopping for cheeses
Dear John: When you want to cry in solitude, there’s no other way.
Mean: Chant this anthem (in your head) when you know, this is a fight you need to walk away from. We are all a part of one of them one day or another.
The Story Of Us: You’re a struggling author, you’ve been trying to write for days but nothing is clearing your writers’ block. Your head is on the table. It has been for what seems like forever, but you finally muster up enough energy to gaze outside the window, that is right beside your desk. The sky is a captivating purple, inspiration rejuvenates you.
Never Grow Up: Although, it would be great for when you’re simply staring at the ceiling, when sleep refuses to plague you and thinking over the events of the day doesn’t escape your head, but you need to serenade the best of your friends, hugging on a birthday or anniversary whilst crying everything out.
Enchanted: This has to be dancing under the stars, as a part of a stargazing date. It is a canon event. I must not interfere.
Better Than Revenge: Doing your hair and daily skincare routine. Don’t forget to wear SPF!
Innocent: A lone walk by the beach, when you just need to think.
Haunted: You’re running through a dark castle at night, wearing a medieval gown while a ghost chases you, serenading you with this song.
Last Kiss: When you’re suddenly struck by the memory of that one lover, so you step in the shower to clear your head and end up crying for 6 minutes straight.
Long Live: Imagine running through roaring fields while the chorus of this song plays
Ours: A lakeside wedding first dance. The stakes are high, the water’s rough, I’ve said more than enough.
Superman: You need to put this song on while sliding your back against the door you just closed to that one person you couldn’t help but pine after, the entirety of your high school experience. You cry, sitting on the floor, remembering all those times you wished you had told them that you love them and how much they mean to you. Alas, if only it wasn’t a day before they were going to fight in that fateful war.
Electric Touch: While vacuum cleaning your place
When Emma Falls In Love: You’re a grandparent, narrating this story about Emma, a person who used to be close to you once, but now you’re severely unaware of their whereabouts, to your persistent grandkids.
I Can See You: While living your main-character moment as the misunderstood high school anti-hero
Castles Crumbling: Imagine screaming this, at the top of your lungs capacity, while being absolutely smashed by the rain. If your eyeliner and mascara streaks down the face, even better.
Foolish One: While watering plants
Timeless: I would have said “that high school couples’ wedding”, but it has to be sitting by a large window, in your own house, in the most comfortable of your clothes, with a warm drink of your choice, reading the book that comforted you in the most trying of times.
Honestly, I believe the best way to listen to Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) would be to be present in the audience at the Eras tour mesmerised by the artist herself.