As we jump headfirst into the new Taylor Swift RED era, let’s take a look back at Speak Now. In this editorial, Mia, a regular site contributor, compares the RED singles to songs on Speak Now. She points out how Taylor uses similar themes to paint new colors of never getting back together, falling in love, and heartbreak.

Today, Taylor’s new album RED has hit store shelves across the world. As you listen to RED for the billionth time this week, it might be a good idea to take a breather and think about how far we’ve come. Perhaps we can compare the two and compare the Red singles to the Speak Now songs?

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together = ??

The first single, released on the August 13 live webchat which blew up the hype for RED, blasting to #1 basically everywhere, is a very sassy song and unmistakably pop. Sassy and pop does not fit in with any Speak Now song, as most songs were country/pop, not just pop, so WANEGBT is going by itself.

Begin Again = Enchanted

Taylor finds the perfect guy after a bad relationship. It’s a two way street with the love stories of Taylor and Will Anderson of the band Parachute, who wrote the song “White Dress” about her, and Taylor and Adam Young, aka Owl City, who met each other at the Grammies in 2009. They don’t particularly sound similar, but it’s the story that matches.

“You don’t know why I’m coming off a little shy, but I do.” – “Begin Again”

“I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home.” – “Enchanted”

Similar, huh?

And isn’t it just a bit coincidental that both Will and Adam are singers? It seems that Taylor enjoys meeting musicians just as much as she likes music.

Red and State of Grace = Sparks Fly

“Red”, “State of Grace” and “Sparks Fly” all relate to crazy, intense relationships, and that’s why they’re similar. “Sparks Fly” is about having a love you shouldn’t have, “Red” is about having a love that’s hard to keep, and “State of Grace” is about having a love that is a struggle.

“My mind forgets to remind me, you’re a bad idea.” – “Sparks Fly”

“This love is great and wild.” – “State of Grace”

“Loving him is like trying to change your mind once you’re already flying through the freefall.” – “Red”

I Knew You Were Trouble = Dear John

Last time I checked “Dear John” wasn’t a dubstep song, but it’s not the music, it’s the lyrics. “I Knew You Were Trouble”, as the title suggests, is about someone who when Taylor was with, she saw “red flags and still went for it anyway, so shame on me.” “Dear John” is about someone who Taylor knew was trouble, but didn’t listen to the people warning her about him (“I ignored when they said run as fast as you can”).

So, as you rush to the store to buy your copy of RED, pull out your Speak Now CD and listen to it like it’s her newest album one last time.

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If you would like to be a site contributor and write an editorial for publication on Taylorswift13.org, email Diane at diane@taylorswift13.org.