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'{{Short description|Dispute over ownership of song recordings}} {{Use American English|date=April 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} In June 2019, the [[Mastering (audio)|masters]] to the first six studio albums by American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] were acquired by talent manager [[Scooter Braun]] as part of his acquisition of [[Big Machine Records]], Swift's record company until 2019. Swift said she had been trying to buy the masters for years, but that Big Machine had offered unfavorable conditions. She condemned Braun's purchase; although she attempted to make peace, she denounced him as an "incessant, manipulative bully".<ref name="Vox">{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/1/20677241/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-controversy-explained|title=The Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun controversy, explained|last=Grady|first=Constance|date=July 1, 2019|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|access-date=August 23, 2019|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211151943/https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/1/20677241/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-controversy-explained|url-status=live}}</ref> Big Machine's former president [[Scott Borchetta]] said that Swift had declined an opportunity to buy the masters and challenged Swift's claims.<ref name="NZHerald">{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-feud-ramps-up-as-texts-leak-and-stars-take-sides/U2EOIZFWJT43VTTODNLJBIPVMY/|title=Taylor Swift, Scooter Braun feud ramps up as texts leak and stars take sides|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=July 2, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418134609/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-feud-ramps-up-as-texts-leak-and-stars-take-sides/U2EOIZFWJT43VTTODNLJBIPVMY/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Taylor Swift Speak Now Tour 2011 4.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Taylor Swift]] (''pictured'' in 2010) signed a record deal in 2005 which gave [[Big Machine Records]] the ownership of the masters to her first six albums.]] Swift and Big Machine have had a series of disputes, including Swift's allegations of Big Machine blocking her from using her older material for the [[American Music Awards of 2019]] and the documentary ''[[Miss Americana]]'' (2020), as well as an unauthorized release of ''[[Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008]]'' in 2020. Swift announced she would [[Re-recording (music)|re-record]] her first six studio albums to gain ownership of her back catalog. On April 9, 2021, she released ''[[Fearless (Taylor's Version)]]'', the re-recording of her 2008 album ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]].'' Its follow-up, ''[[Red (Taylor's Version)]]'', the re-recording of her 2012 album ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]'', is slated for release on November 19, 2021. ==Background== A [[Mastering (audio)|master]] is the first recording of an audio recording, from which copies are made for sales and distribution. The owner of the master, therefore, owns all copies, such as digital versions for [[Music download|download]] or on [[Streaming media|streaming]] platforms, or physical versions available on [[Compact disc|CDs]] and [[Gramophone record|vinyl records]].<ref name="inews"/> Anyone who wishes to reproduce a record must ask permission from the master owner.<ref name="Vox"/> Before the emergence of digital music platforms, musicians relied on [[record label]]s to promote their music through means such as [[airplay]] or physical distributions to retailers. These labels would typically require artists to sign record deals which would give them the rights to their masters "in perpetuity".<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48801130|title=Taylor Swift v Scooter Braun: Is it personal or strictly business|first=Paul|last=Glynn|publisher=BBC|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213004850/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48801130|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] signed a 13-year record deal with [[Big Machine Records]], a [[Nashville]]-based record label run by [[Scott Borchetta]]. The contract gave Big Machine the rights to Swift's first six albums in exchange for a cash advance.<ref name="inews"/> From 2006 to 2017, Swift released six [[studio album]]s with Big Machine: ''[[Taylor Swift (album)|Taylor Swift]]'' (2006), ''[[Fearless (Taylor Swift album)|Fearless]]'' (2008), ''[[Speak Now]]'' (2010), ''[[Red (Taylor Swift album)|Red]]'' (2012), ''[[1989 (Taylor Swift album)|1989]]'' (2014), and ''[[Reputation (Taylor Swift album)|Reputation]]'' (2017).<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-explainer-853424/|title=Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta: What the Hell Happened?|first=Brittany|last=Spanos|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303212229/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-explainer-853424/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2018, the contract expired, and Swift signed a new contract with [[Universal Music Group]] record label [[Republic Records]]. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that to that point Swift's catalog constituted around 80% of Big Machine's revenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|title=Taylor Swift Stands to Make Music Business History as a Free Agent|date=August 27, 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Chris|last=Willman|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=August 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829021649/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|url-status=live}}</ref> Swift revealed an element as part of her Republic Records contract which affected all artists under Universal: any sale of the company's shares in [[Spotify]] (the largest on-demand music streaming platform) resulted in [[Equity (finance)|equity]] for all Universal artists.<ref name="RS" /> The contract with Republic Records also allowed Swift to fully own the masters to albums distributed by them, starting with her 2019 album ''[[Lover (album)|Lover]]''.<ref name="Vox" /> ==Dispute== ===Acquisition of Big Machine Records=== {{Quote box|align=right|width=35%|salign=right|quote="For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and "earn' one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. [...] I learned about Scooter Braun's purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I've received at his hands for years."|author=Taylor Swift|source=Tumblr, June 30, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my|title=Taylor Swift on Tumblr|date=June 30, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212230900/https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my|url-status=live}}</ref>}} In 2019, Big Machine Records, which released Swift's first six studio albums, was acquired (reportedly for $300&nbsp;million) by talent manager and businessman [[Scooter Braun]] and his company Ithaca Holdings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta|title=Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million|first=Ed|last=Christman|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 30, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213002005/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta|url-status=live}}</ref> The acquisition was financed by [[the Carlyle Group]] and several other private equity firms. As part of the acquisition, ownership of the masters to Swift's first six studio albums transferred to Braun.<ref name="Vox"/> On June 30, the day of Big Machine's announcement, Swift denounced the acquisition on [[Tumblr]]. She stated that she had tried to buy her masters for years, but was not given a chance unless she signed another contract, which she was not willing to do. While she knew that Big Machine was for sale, she said that she was unaware Braun would be the buyer, whom she described as an "incessant, manipulative bully": "Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it."<ref name="inews">{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411|title=Taylor Swift masters: The controversy around Scooter Braun selling the rights to her old music explained|first=Alex|last=Finnis|work=[[i (newspaper)|i]]|date=November 17, 2020|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212170953/https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-masters-scooter-braun-selling-rights-music-rerecording-row-explained-762411|url-status=live}}</ref> She accused Borchetta of betraying her loyalty for selling her catalog to Braun, whom Borchetta had known for his "bullying" towards Swift.<ref name="RS"/> In response, Borchetta published a blog post titled "It's Time For Some Truth" on the Big Machine website.<ref name="RS"/> On June 25, 2019, Big Machine shareholders and Braun's Ithaca Holdings held a phone call regarding the transaction. While Swift's father, Scott Swift, was one of Big Machine's minority shareholders (holding 4% of stakes),<ref name="inews"/> he did not join the phone call due to a "very strict" [[non-disclosure agreement]]. A final call was held on June 28, when Scott Swift was represented by a lawyer from Swift's management company, 13 Management.<ref name="RS"/> Borchetta said he had texted Swift on June 29, challenging her claim that she had not been aware of Braun's transaction beforehand.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/arts/music/taylor-swift-master-recordings.html|title=Taylor Swift's Feud With Scooter Braun Spotlights Musicians' Struggles to Own Their Work|work=[[The New York Times]]|first1=Ben|last1=Sisario|first2=Joe|last2=Coscarelli|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213081048/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/arts/music/taylor-swift-master-recordings.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He denied that Swift had been hostile towards Braun, whom he described as a "good source of information".<ref name="NZHerald"/> He also posted a text message he alleged Swift had sent before signing to Republic Records; in the message, Swift said she would accept another seven-year contract with Big Machine on the condition that she took ownership of her audiovisual works. Borchetta agreed, but asked for a ten-year contract. The authenticity of the text message has not been verified.<ref name="RS"/> ===Subsequent disputes=== [[File:Disrupt SF TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 - Day 2 (48838717986).jpg|thumb|Scooter Braun (''pictured here in 2019''), who acquired Big Machine Records, and along with it the masters to Swift's six albums.]] In November 2019, Swift accused Braun and Borchetta of blocking her from performing her older songs at the [[American Music Awards of 2019]] and from using older material for her 2020 documentary ''[[Miss Americana]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=November 14, 2019|title=Taylor Swift Says Scooter Braun & Scott Borchetta Won't Let Her Perform Her Old Songs at 2019 AMAs|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8543706/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-perform-old-music-amas|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 15, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115045127/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8543706/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-perform-old-music-amas|url-status=live}}</ref> While Big Machine Records initially rejected Swift's claim, they later issued a statement saying they had "agreed to grant all licenses of their artists' performances to stream post show and for re-broadcast on mutually approved platforms" for the American Music Awards; the statement did not mention Swift.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8544038/taylor-swift-amas-cleared-perform-old-songs|title=Taylor Swift Cleared by Big Machine to Perform Old Songs at AMAs|last=Cirisano|first=Tatiana|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 18, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119192611/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8544038/taylor-swift-amas-cleared-perform-old-songs|url-status=live}}</ref> The statement also said that Big Machine had negotiated with the producer of the award show, [[Dick Clark Productions]]; Dick Clark Productions contested that they never agreed to issue any statement with Big Machine.<ref name="TheCut">{{cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/11/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-justin-bieber-feud-explained.html|title=Untangling the Incredibly Complicated Taylor Swift–Scooter Braun Feud|first1=Amanda|last1=Arnold|first2=Melinda|last2=Fakuade|work=[[The Cut (website)|The Cut]]|date=November 22, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128191319/https://www.thecut.com/2019/11/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-justin-bieber-feud-explained.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Braun said he received [[death threat]]s from Swift's fans, and wanted to have a conversation with Swift on the matter.<ref name="TheCut"/> In April 2020, Big Machine released ''[[Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008]]'', a live album of Swift's performances at a 2008 radio show for [[IHeartMedia|Clear Channel]]. Swift said she did not authorize the release, and called it "shameless greed."<ref name="usat">{{Cite news|title=Taylor Swift Slams Big Machine's New Unauthorized Live Album as 'Shameless Greed'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/23/taylor-swift-big-machines-new-unapproved-album-shameless-greed/3015021001/|last=Henderson|first=Cydney|date=April 23, 2020|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424052859/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/23/taylor-swift-big-machines-new-unapproved-album-shameless-greed/3015021001/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two songs off Swift's 2020 album ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|Folklore]]'', "[[My Tears Ricochet]]" and "[[Mad Woman]]", respectively, were labelled by critics to reference her relationships with Borchetta and Braun in their imagery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Suskind |first1=Alex |title=Taylor Swift broke all her rules with Folklore — and gave herself a much-needed escape |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/ |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063543/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-entertainers-of-the-year-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Alex |title=Taylor Swift wrote early 'My Tears Ricochet' lyrics after watching 'Marriage Story' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/taylor-swift-my-tears-ricochet-marriage-story-2834832 |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=[[NME]] |date=9 December 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122004239/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/taylor-swift-my-tears-ricochet-marriage-story-2834832 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Reactions== Publications highlighted Swift's public opposition to the acquisition of her masters as trailblazing: while the issue of master ownership and the conflicts between record labels and artists such as [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[The Beatles]], [[Janet Jackson]], and [[Def Leppard]] have been prevalent, Swift was one of the few to make it public.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name="NYT"/><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swifts-music-ownership-controversy-with-scooter-braun-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters/|title=Taylor Swift's Music Ownership Controversy With Scooter Braun: What It Means and Why It Matters|first=Sam|last=Sodomsky|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212163712/https://pitchfork.com/news/taylor-swifts-music-ownership-controversy-with-scooter-braun-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/23/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-amas-old-music-masters|title=Why Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun's bad blood may reshape the industry|first=Dominic|last=Rushe|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 23, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212201905/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/23/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-amas-old-music-masters|url-status=live}}</ref> Her social media posts prompted both support and opposition from her contemporaries; those who supported include [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]], [[Sky Ferreira]] and [[Iggy Azalea]], who cited Swift's reason that artists should rightfully own their music.<ref name="Pitchfork"/> Those who opposed include Braun's clients [[Justin Bieber]] and [[Demi Lovato]], who believed he was a man of good character, and that the decision was not personal.<ref name="Vox"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Halperin|first=Shirley|date=May 11, 2019|title=Demi Lovato Signs With Scooter Braun for Management|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/demi-lovato-signs-scooter-braun-manager-1203212073/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512194924/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/demi-lovato-signs-scooter-braun-manager-1203212073/|archive-date=May 12, 2019|access-date=March 24, 2021|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In May 2021, [[Olivia Rodrigo]] stated that she negotiated with her record label to own her music's masters herself, after observing Swift's battle.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahlgrim|first=Callie|date=May 8, 2021|title=Olivia Rodrigo has full control of her masters because she paid attention to Taylor Swift's battle over her own music|url=https://www.insider.com/olivia-rodrigo-owns-master-recordings-taylor-swift-battle-2021-5|url-status=live|access-date=May 8, 2021|website=[[Insider Inc.]]|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Joe Jonas]] said that he wishes to re-record [[Jonas Brothers]]' back catalog just like Swift.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Garner|first=Glenn|date=June 5, 2021|title=Joe Jonas Wants to Re-Record the Jonas Brothers' Debut Album: 'Like What Taylor Swift Did'|url=https://people.com/music/joe-jonas-brothers-re-record-debut-album-like-taylor-swift/|url-status=live|access-date=June 6, 2021|website=[[PEOPLE.com]]|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the masters dispute as one of the 50 "most important moments" of the music industry in the 2010s decade: "While Braun and Borchetta vehemently contest [Swift's claims], the actual facts of the situation may not matter — as Swift is using every tool she's got, including pleading directly to a zealous fanbase for help, to establish herself as a self-made artist who calls her own shots."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/lists/the-50-most-important-music-moments-of-the-decade-912772/|title=The 50 Most Important Music Moments of the Decade|work=Rolling Stone|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926033012/https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/lists/the-50-most-important-music-moments-of-the-decade-912772/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', Swift's masters dispute hinted at a change in the digital music era, where artists are more informed of their ownership and would not rely on record labels for marketing as heavily as in the past.<ref name="guardian"/> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that Swift's highly publicized move to re-record her back catalog would inspire other artists to "further deputize or weaponize fans in their own business disputes", unlike the comparatively less successful attempts by contemporary artists to own their music.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=April 20, 2021|title=Taylor Swift's 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' Debuts Huge: What It Means for Replicating Oldies, Weaponizing Fans|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/|url-status=live|magazine=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421003048/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/|archive-date=April 21, 2021|access-date=May 1, 2021}}</ref> ==Aftermath== In October 2020, Braun sold the masters, videos and artworks to [[Shamrock Holdings]], an American [[private equity]] firm owned by the [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] estate, for reportedly $300&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Halperin|first=Shirley|date=November 16, 2020|title=Scooter Braun Sells Taylor Swift's Big Machine Masters for Big Pay Day|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swift-big-machine-masters-1234832080/|url-status=live|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116200243/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swift-big-machine-masters-1234832080/|archive-date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Swift claimed that Braun offered her a chance at bidding on her masters on the condition of signing a non-disclosure agreement regarding her public statements on Braun, which she refused.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Beumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|date=November 17, 2020|title=Taylor Swift criticises Scooter Braun after $300m masters sale|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/17/taylor-swift-criticises-scooter-braun-amid-300m-masters-sale|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118003825/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/17/taylor-swift-criticises-scooter-braun-amid-300m-masters-sale|archive-date=November 18, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> She also declined an offer by Shamrock to become an [[equity partner]], on the grounds that Braun and Ithaca Holdings would continue to financially benefit from her work.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sisario|first1=Ben|last2=Coscarelli|first2=Joe|last3=Kelly|first3=Kate|date=November 17, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Denounces Scooter Braun as Her Catalog Is Sold Again|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/16/arts/music/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-masters.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117003355/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/16/arts/music/taylor-swift-scooter-braun-masters.html|archive-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> === Re-recordings === Swift had announced in August 2019 that she would [[Re-recording (music)|re-record]] and release her first six albums so as to completely own her music.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taylor Swift's 'Love Story (Taylor's Version)' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs Chart: 'I'm So Grateful to the Fans'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9529564/taylor-swift-love-story-number-one-hot-country-songs/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=Billboard|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817|title=Taylor Swift wants to re-record her old hits after ownership row|publisher=BBC|date=August 22, 2019|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822202321/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49432817|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=America|first=Good Morning|title=Taylor Swift will re-record her old music next year after ownership dispute|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/taylor-swift-record-music-year-important-artists-work-65115745|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Good Morning America|language=en}}</ref> She began re-recording her back catalog in November 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift Confirms Sale of Her Masters, Says She Is Already Re-Recording Her Catalog|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-responds-scooter-brauns-sale-of-her-catalog-saying-1234833284/|first=Chris|last=Willman|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117223216/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-responds-scooter-brauns-sale-of-her-catalog-saying-1234833284/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2021, Swift announced that she had finished re-recording her 2008 studio album ''Fearless'' and released "[[Love Story (Taylor's Version)]]", a re-recording of the album's lead single "[[Love Story (Taylor Swift song)|Love Story]]" on February 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56038367|title=Taylor Swift's two versions Love Story compared|first=Mark|last=Savage|publisher=BBC|date=February 12, 2021|accessdate=February 12, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213005241/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56038367|url-status=live}}</ref> She then released two other tracks of the album before the release of ''[[Fearless (Taylor's Version)]]'' on April 9. Several music critics positively reviewed ''Fearless (Taylor's Version)'', and praised Swift's move to re-record her music, viewing it as an act of preservation of artist rights.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift wisely chooses not to rewrite history on Fearless (Taylor's Version) – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version-b1828897.html|access-date=April 10, 2021|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409084222/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version-b1828897.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Jonathan|date=April 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Carefully Reimagines Her Past on 'Fearless: Taylor's Version'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-1153454/|access-date=April 10, 2021|website=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409134350/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-1153454/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 9, 2021|title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) review – old wounds take on new resonances {{!}} Alexis Petridis' album of the week|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/09/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review|access-date=April 10, 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409103004/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/09/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review|url-status=live}}</ref> The original ''Fearless'' was charting at number 157 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart before the impact of ''Fearless (Taylor's Version)'', after which the original recording dropped 19% in sales and fell off the chart completely, while the re-recording debuted at number one. Ben Sisario of ''[[The New York Times]]'' opined that ''Fearless (Taylor's Version)'' "accomplished what appeared to be one of Swift's goals: burying the original ''Fearless''."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=April 19, 2021|title=Taylor Swift's Rerecorded 'Fearless' Is the Year's Biggest Debut So Far|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/arts/music/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-billboard-chart.html|access-date=May 1, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=April 18, 2021|title=Taylor Swift's Re-Recorded 'Fearless' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With Year's Biggest Week|url=http://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/9558306/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-tops-billboard-200|url-status=live|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418205735/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/9558306/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-tops-billboard-200|archive-date=April 18, 2021|access-date=May 1, 2021}}</ref> In June 2021, she announced ''[[Red (Taylor's Version)]]'', the re-recorded issue of her 2012 album ''Red'', and revealed November 19, 2021, as its release date. It will consist of all 30 songs that were originally meant for the 2012 version.<ref name="Announcement">{{Cite web|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=June 18, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Announces 'Red' As Next Re-Recorded Album, November Release Date|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9589369/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-november-release-date|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619003140/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9589369/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-november-release-date|archive-date=June 19, 2021|access-date=June 20, 2021|website=[[ Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{Taylor Swift}} [[Category:Music controversies]] [[Category:Taylor Swift]]'