Listen to the album in full HERE

[Quick Disclaimer…I want the target dlx edition with all the extras (certain things you can’t get by downloading online,) so I haven’t been able to buy my copy yet, but I do intend to. I don’t download illegally. I just listen to the tracks online until I get the chance to buy it. So please download either through iTunes…or buy the album in stores. I know me saying this will do little to  stop illegal downloading, but I just wanted to state my piece. I am in no way promoting piracy. The link I used for the album is just one I found by googling, I have no relation to it, use your best judgment.]

Read all the full lyrics HERE (some lyrics seemed a bit off to me…but you can be the judge.)

Judged for her dating history and her strong belief in love, Taylor Swift’s constant optimism and wavering hope are what the music world needs.

Ms. Swift’s highly anticipated new album; 1989, was officially (and legally) released yesterday October 27, 2014 and it is BOSS. So I thought I’d do a Full Album Review. Target is selling a deluxe edition, in which you get the original 13 songs, plus 3 extra bonus tracks, a pack of polaroid pictures of Taylor AND 3 voice memos from Taylor’s personal cell phone of her recording the raw ideas of three of her newest songs. This seemed so intriguing I had to review the Deluxe edition. And props to Taylor for encouraging people to buy actual CDs. Can’t get them polaroid pics on iTunes!

This year and the time leading up to the release of her new album, we’ve been seeing a sassier, sexier, non filtered, girl turned into woman. Not only have we been bear hugged by the anthem “Shake it Off” but also Taylor’s image has gone from preppy to crop top, short locks sexy. She’s growing up, she’s showing a more mature side of herself. But she remains classy as always Ms. Swift. Classy as always.

The album is definitely a bold transition from country/pop to pop. But what I love about this album is that although you know many of these songs could be (and probably will be) instant radio hits….the record is pop with some soft undertones. She takes a new approach vocally as she takes on a rapping style or sing/talking technique for some songs. I think this is so interesting, because it almost feels like she is sitting in your living room, reading from a book, telling us her stories.Taylor Swift is an artist who takes the time to hand you her heart. You can trust her, trust what she’s saying, because you know she’s speaking from experience. The album is an open advice column. Learn from her. She’s been there. She’s here for you. She gets it. You are not alone. -Michelle Leigh Writes

But despite the running theme of broken or fractured hearts and ghosts of past relationships haunting her, the album is surprisingly light and upbeat. That’s the pop genre for ya! Dancing to heartache and cheers-ing to the next one. But don’t count Taylor out just yet…or ever. Her lyrics are meaningful, truthful and beautifully constructed.  And there is the underlying theme and message of hope in love and keeping your head up against all those trying to bring you down. Taylor Swift is a supporter of love and this album is a testament to that. If you take away anything from this album…know that Taylor Swift is the real deal. Because in life…love is the center of it all. And she gets that….loud and clear. #HopelessRomantic #AndDamnProudOfIt

Track By Track, my thoughts, and my favorite lyrics. Oh the lyrics! (I went overboard of course, but what else did you expect.) I coined my favorite tracks for you with a (*). And let me tell you it’s nearly impossible to pick a Top 5, so I’m not even going to try.

*1. “Welcome To New York”

This is a strong starting song. It immediately makes you realize that this is a new Taylor Swift. And it mirrors a girl moving to New York or visiting New York and gaining new places, new surroundings, new perspective and new beginnings. Much like Taylor is going to experience with this album’s new direction. The sound is very sonic and galactic, I feel like it’s a heady out of body, in your body song. A range of feelings. For me I am going to have to *INSTANT FAV* this jam!

Lyric Choice:

It’s a new soundtrack I could dance to this beat, beat
Forevermore
The lights are so bright
But they never blind me, me
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York

******

Like any great love
It keeps you guessing
Like any real love
It’s ever changing
Like any true love
It drives you crazy
But you know you wouldn’t change Anything, anything, anything…

*2. “Blank Space”

Another *INSTANT FAV.* Lyrically I adore this song. I love how Taylor references her list of exes and how people assume because she’s fallen in love so many times that she somehow is this insane girl. She addresses this but you also get the feeling of her unwavering respect for love and constantly being open to it. It’s a sexier, older Taylor.

Lyric Choice:

I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin
Saw you there and I thought oh my god
Look at that face, you look like my next mistake
Love’s a game, wanna play

******

Grab your passport and my hand
I could make the bad guys good for a weekend

******

Got a long list of ex-lovers
They’ll tell you I’m insane
Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game

Got a long list of ex-lovers
They’ll tell you I’m insane
But I got a blank space baby
And I’ll write your name

******

Cause darling I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream

*3. “Style”

This song is not only a *Favorite* for me…(3 for 3 Taylor, I think I’m falling in love #AlbumOnRepeat) but this seems like what would be an instant hit on the radio. The chorus is perfect. She’s telling a story here about falling for the bad boys and knowing they won’t stay, knowing that this won’t end well, but allowing herself to be swept away. And just simply still going for it, whole heartedly. The feeling, the bad boys, the rush, the love however real or not real it may be…never goes out of style. It will always be this way. Boy meets Girl. Girl falls for Boy. Boy plays girl. It’s a vicious circle, and yet she doesn’t wanna break it.

Lyric Choice:

Cause You got that James Dean day dream look in your eye
And I got that red lip classic thing that you like
And when we go crashing down, we come back in every time.
Cause we never go out of style
We never go out of style

You got that long hair, slicked back, white t-shirt.
And I got that good girl fig and a tight little skirt,
And when we go crashing down, we come back in every time.
Cause we never go out of style
We never go out of style.

Take me home
Just take me home
Just take me home

*4. “Out Of The Woods”

This song is spiritual, there is this tribal aspect to it, with the chant like background vocals,  and the chorus is so simple, yet so gorgeous. It speaks volumes. A troubled relationship, nearly hopeless, and yet there’s that hope at the end of the tunnel, holding onto it, there’s a chance, there’s a love still there, after everything it’s been put through. Just waiting for the heartache and pain to finally fall away, and then realizing, it isn’t all that bad. Taylor released this prior to the album release and I fell in love with it, so yes I will *Favorite* this song as well.

Lyric Choice:

Remember when we couldn’t take the heat
I walked out, I said “I’m setting you free”
But the monsters turned out to be just trees
When the sun came up
You were looking at me.

******

Are we out of the woods yet?
Are we out of the woods yet?
Are we out of the woods yet?
Are we out of the woods?
Are we in the clear yet?
Are we in the clear yet?
Are we in the clear yet?
In the clear yet, good.

5. “All You Had To Do Was Stay”

Beautiful lyrics, beautiful song, reminds me a little of the vibes of Taylor’s last album RED.

Lyric Choice:

People like you always want back the love they gave away
And people like me wanna believe you when you say you’ve changed
The more I think about it now
The less I know
All I know is that you drove us off the road

******

Then, why you had to go and lock me out when I let you in

******

Here you are now
Calling me up
But I don’t know what to say
I’ve been picking up the pieces of the mess you made
People like you always want back the love they pushed aside
But people like me are gone forever
When you say goodbye

******

You were all I wanted
But not like this

*6. “Shake It Off”

EPIC. An Anthem. The “Rap” breakdown part…like what??? YASSS please, yessss. The video is a stroke of genius as well. Watch HERE. Calling out all the haters, all the critics, all the skeptics and making them bob their heads and dance along…turning them into fans. YOU KNOW it’s true, don’t even mess around. The song is a fantastic message, to all people telling them to not care about what others think or say about you, shake it off and keep doing your thing. As the album’s first single, it serves as a perfect introduction, the perfect depiction of the message Taylor Swift wants to convey to her fans. We are united, we are one. A *favorite* of course. I can’t hear this and NOT dance! It just gets into your veins and your arms immediately do the “shake it off” move from the video. Am I right??? Yes, yes I am.

Lyric Choice:

It’s like I got this music
In my mind, saying it’s gonna be alright
Cause the players gonna play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate
Baby I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake
Shake it off

******

(the rap part)

Hey, hey, hey
Just think while you been getting down and out about the liars
And the dirty dirty cheats of the world
You could have been getting down to this sick beat

My ex man brought his new girlfriend
She’s like oh my god
But I’m just gonna shake
And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
Won’t you come on over baby we could shake, shake

7. “I Wish You Would”

Taylor explains in her voice memo (Track 18) that this song is about how a guy thinks his ex girlfriend hates him. But she doesn’t, she’s still in love with him and wishes he would come back. This song also brings me back to the memories and messages from the RED album, the sounds are very different, but that raw emotion, is still evident. It’s something that Taylor does well, making her real to her fans, making her relatable.

Lyric Choice:

I Wish You Would come back
Wish I never had hung up the phone like I did
I Wish You know that I never forget you as long as I’m living
Wish you were right here, right now, it’s all good, I wish you would

I wish you we could go back
And remember what we were fighting for
I wish you know that I miss too much to be mad anymore
Wish you were right here, right now, it’s all good, I wish you would

8. “Bad Blood”

A friendship gone south. I do really like this song. I think some times friendships end for a reason. And you are better off that way.  Some serious “Holla Back Girl”- Gwen Stefani vibes, and I dig it! And that high school cheer chant vibe rocks this chorus hardcore.

Lyric Choice:

Cause baby now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look at what you’ve done
Cause baby now we got bad blood

Hey!
Now we got problems
And I don’t think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And baby now we got bad blood
Hey!

Did you think we’d be fine?
Still got scars on my back from your knife

******

Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes
You say sorry just for show
If you live like that, you live with ghosts

9. “Wildest Dreams”

Sexy. Breathy. It’s definitely more mature. She makes reference to a bit of a more sexual relationship, very timidly of course, but it’s there. The idea of wanting those memories to stay with him even if he only dreams of them, and they end up going their separate ways. She wants him to remember her well.

Lyric Choice:

He’s so tall, and handsome as hell
He’s so bad but he does it so well
I can see the end as it begins my one condition is

Say you’ll remember me
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sun set babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you’ll see me again even if it’s just in your wildest dreams
Wildest dreams

******

I say no one has to know what we do
His hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room
And his voice is a familiar sound, nothing lasts forever
But this is getting good now
He’s so tall, and handsome as hell
He’s so bad but he does it so well

           

*10. “How You Get The Girl”

Word to the wise, Taylor’s giving you some advice…some perspective from the other side…listen up boys.  SUCH A GOOD TRACK! *Favorite.*

Lyric Choice:

Say it’s been a long six months
And you were too afraid to tell her what you want
And that’s how it works
It’s how you get the girl
And then you say

I want you for worse or for better
I would wait for ever and ever
Broke your heart, I’ll put it back together
I want you for ever and ever

And that’s how it works
It’s how you get the girl, girl, oh
And that’s how it works
It’s how you get the girl, girl

******

Remind her how it used to be, be
Yeah, yeah
With pictures in frames, of kisses on cheeks, cheeks
Tell her how you must’ve lost your mind
When you left her all alone
And never told her why
And that’s how it works
That’s how you lost the girl

11. “This Love”

Gorgeous. The harmonies in this are insane. The backup vocals along with Taylor in the chorus just make you feel like you are sitting in a cathedral or an opera house, listening to magic. It’s got an indie vibe to it, which I really love, and the synthesizer, drums, and guitar create a beautiful collaboration. I’m no musician, but I’m just a fan sharing my love for music, lyrics and telling you what I hear and how it makes me feel.

Lyric Choice:

Been losing grip, oh, sinking ships
You showed up, just in time

******

This love left a permanent mark
This love is glowing in dark
These hands had to let it go free
And this love came back to me

Your kiss, my cheek
I watched you leave
Your smile my ghost
I fell to my knees
And you’re young, just to run
Come better to watch me

*12. “I Know Places”

A *favorite.* It’s darker, sexier and as Taylor said in her voice memo (Track 17), it’s about people trying to ruin a couples love and the couple trying to escape that and hide.

Lyric Choice:

You stand with a hand on my waist line
Good to see that we’re out in plain side
I can hear them whisper as we pass by
It’s a bad sign, bad sign
Something happens when everybody finds out
See the vultures circling in dark cloud
Love’s a fragile little flame, it could burn out

******

They take their shots, we’re bulletproof
I know places
And you know for me it’s always you
I know places
And you’re dead at night, your eyes so green
I know places
And I know for you it’s always me
I know places

Cause I, I know places we can hide

13. “Clean”

Overcoming heart break. A pure song. Love mirrors addiction here which I thought was a really cool metaphor. A video for this would open so many ideas for amazing imagery.

Lyric Choice:

You’re still all over me like I wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore
Hung my head, as I lost the war, and the sky turn black like a perfect storm

Rain came pouring down when I was drowning
That’s when I could finally breathe
And that morning, gone was any trace of you, I think I am finally clean

******

10 months sober, I must admit
Just because you’re clean don’t mean you miss it
10 months older I won’t give in
Now that I’m clean I’m never gonna risk it

*********************************************************************************

14. “Wonderland” -Bonus Track

Uses Alice in Wonderland as a metaphor for a doomed relationship.

Lyric Choice:

Flashing lights and we, took a wrong turn and we
Fell down the rabbit hole
You held on tight to me
Cause nothing’s as it seems
Spinning out of control

******

We found wonderland
You and I got lost in it
And we pretended it could last forever
We found wonderland
You and I got lost in it
And life was never worse but never better
In wonderland
In wonderland

So we went on our way
Too in love to think straight

******

Didn’t you call my fears with the cheshire cat’s smile
Didn’t it all seem new and exciting
I felt your arms twisting around me
It’s all fun and games ’til somebody loses their mind

*15. “You R In Love” -Bonus Track

A *favorite.* A song that basically sums up the reason why Taylor Swift makes music; “You understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars And why I’ve spent my whole life trying to put it in words.”  And why we all love her for it. A song about love and how it is everywhere, all around us, and it doesn’t take earth shattering actions to realize you love someone. Just by simply being with them and getting to know their heart. The tears may happen here, just warning you.

Lyric Choice:

You can hear it in the silence, silence
You can feel it on the way home, way home
You can see it with the lights out, lights out
You are in love, true love
You are in love

******

One night he wakes, strange look on his face
Pauses, then says, you’re my best friend
And you knew what it was, he is in love

******

You understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars
And why I’ve spent my whole life trying to put it in words

*16. “New Romantics” -Bonus Track

I actually feel like this song would be HUGE. I hear the chorus and the beat and I just see the public dancing like crazy for it. This song would be ridiculous on tour. I really love the name, love the concept, I just have a connection to it. I always call myself a hopeless romantic so I just get it.

Lyric Choice:

We cry tears
Of mascara in the bathroom
Honey life is just a classroom

Cause baby I could built a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day it’s like battle
But every night feels just like a dream
Baby we’re the new romantics
Come on, come on along with me
Heart break is the national anthem
We sing it properly
We are too busy dancing
To get knocked off our feet
Baby we’re the new romantics
The best people in life for free

****************************************************

Voice memos of Taylor’s writing process. Each song happens differently, but here she gives you an inside look at the beginning stages of a few select songs. Literally recorded on her cell phone. This is something I feel no artist has ever done…I could be wrong…but whatever it’s still really cool!

17. I Know Places (Taylor on piano with vocals)

18. I Wish You Would (Writing to Track; Taylor singing to a Track produced by Jack Antonoff)

19. Blank Space (Taylor playing guitar with vocals in recording session with producers yelling out direction and extra vocals ideas)

This was the coolest idea ever. There is something so amazing about hearing the raw tracks. It gives me chills to even get a glimpse into the work that was put into this album. I love music and I loved that Taylor was kind enough to share her writing process with us. She gave us her diaries and we will take good care of your words and your heart Taylor. Bow Down people, there’s a new Queen in town. Taylor Swift you are a BOSS, and a legend in the making. I curtsy before you.

*I take no credit for any images used*

-<3-