Unveiling the Hidden Gems: Decoding Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)' Lyrics, Exclusive Vault Tracks, and the Untold Stories

Taylor Swift has released Speak Now (Taylor's Version), taking Swifties back to 2010. In an Instagram post, the 32-year-old Grammy winner expressed her excitement about the album, which she wrote alone as a young woman between the ages of 18 and 20. Reflecting on the process of creating the album, Swift mentioned obsessing over the tracklist and making tough choices. As a result, she included six additional tracks from her vault. Recording the album at the age of 32, Swift felt nostalgic and appreciative of the memories it brought back, as well as the personal growth she experienced since then.

Swift expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to reclaim her work and thanked her fans for their support. She announced the release of "Speak Now (MY VERSION!)" album.

To commemorate the reissue of the album, which arrives four years after her announcement of remaking her first six albums due to the sale of her masters to music manager Scooter Braun through the acquisition of Big Machine Records, We will analyze the significant lyrics from "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)."

‘Better Than Revenge (Taylor’s Version)’

In 2010, Swift gained notoriety with her lyrics, "She's not a saint, and she's not what you think / she's an actress, whoa / She's better known for the things that she does / On the mattress, whoa". However, after much speculation, she has made revisions to the song in the 2023 edition.

“He was a moth to the flame / She was holding the matches, whoa,” the new lyrics read.

Joe Jonas and Camilla Belle Shutterstock

It is widely speculated that Swift wrote "Better Than Revenge" about Joe Jonas' brief relationship with actress Camilla Belle following their breakup in 2008, which Swift learned about through a short phone call lasting only 27 seconds.

In 2014, four years after its initial release in 2010, she responded to accusations of sexism regarding the song. During an interview with The Guardian, she stated, "I wrote that when I was 18. That's the age when you believe someone can actually steal your boyfriend. But as you grow older, you realize that no one can take someone from you if they don't want to leave."

Although Swift never explicitly confirmed the subject of the song, Belle, best known for her role in the 2006 remake of When a Stranger Calls, publicly supported Katy Perry during her feud with Swift in 2015.

Perry tweeted, "It's ironic that someone would pit women against each other while profiting from the downfall of a woman," in response to Swift's false accusation that Minaj called her out for her MTV VMA nomination. (In reality, Minaj was addressing the lack of representation for Black artists in the category, and Swift admitted her mistake.) Belle agreed with Perry, tweeting, "@katyperry I couldn't agree more..."

Time will tell if Belle — who split from Jonas in 2009 — has any thoughts on the “mattress” lyric tweak.

‘Electric Touch (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’

Swift enlisted the collaboration of Fall Out Boy to accompany her on her inaugural track on Speak Now (Taylor's Version), a song that delves into the theme of bouncing back from a heartbreak.

"Take a breath, find solace, everything will be fine / Merely sixty minutes until your vehicle arrives / This is the initial occasion spending time with you tonight / I anticipate undesirable outcomes," she melodiously expresses. "Having experienced numerous tales of tragic conclusions / Yet, there remains a glimmer of hope that the flames won't scorch me / Just this once, just this once."

After her breakup with Jonas, Swift was romantically connected to Lucas Till, Taylor Lautner (whom she wrote "Back to December" about), and John Mayer (who famously inspired "Dear John") during the time she wrote Speak Now.

The chorus goes, "I only know that this could shatter my heart or revive it / I sense that your electrifying touch could bring life back to this deserted town / And I desire you at this moment, wanting to rely on you eternally / In the warmth of your electrifying touch, mmm."

‘When Emma Falls in Love (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’

Ever since Swift let go of the name of the unreleased songs, there has been much speculation among fans regarding the potential connection to Emma Stone in the song "When Emma Falls in Love," their friendship having spanned since 2008.

Emma Stone and Taylor Swift Hollywood News Wire/Plux/Shutterstock

"When Emma finds herself in love, she anxiously paces the room, ensuring privacy by closing the blinds and securing the door. Seeking solace, she reaches out to her mother, playfully jesting about the potential mishaps that could ensue. Patiently, she anticipates the unfolding of events, as Emma, famously known as 'little miss sunshine,' always has a lingering sense of impending rain. It is undeniable that when Emma falls for someone, they will experience a transformative impact unlike anything before." Some individuals have drawn a connection between the lyric "little miss sunshine" and Stone's performance of Natasha Bedingfield's popular song "Pocketful of Sunshine" in the acclaimed film Easy A, released in 2010.

The chorus states, "She is the type of book that captivates you, impossible to put down. It's as if Cleopatra grew up in a small town. All the rebellious boys would become well-behaved if they had the opportunity to love her. To be honest, there are times I wish I could be her."

This raises the question, who was Stone infatuated with during that time? It's worth noting that she was rumored to be in a relationship with her Paper Man co-star, Kieran Culkin, whom she met while working on the comedy in 2009. However, despite fans speculating that Stone's romance with Andrew Garfield might have inspired the song, she didn't meet her Peter Parker until the 2012 film, The Amazing Spider-Man. (The two of them ended their relationship in 2015, and Stone got married to director Dave McCrary in 2020).

‘I Can See You’ (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’

Swift portrays a clandestine love affair in her lyrics: "Imagine if I were to caress you this instant? / Consider a world where we remain undiscovered? / Ponder the possibility of our silence remaining unbroken?"

Swift, known for her songs about boundaries and professionalism, had encounters with two of her past romantic partners during this period through their work collaborations. She joined forces with Mayer on the track "Half of My Heart" in 2009, while also sharing the screen with Lautner in the 2010 film Valentine's Day.

She sings, "I envision you in your sophisticated ensemble, with a classy necktie, slipping me a note that reads 'Meet me tonight.' A passionate kiss followed, and rest assured, I'll never divulge our secret affair. Yes, I admit, I envision you becoming my irresistible addiction. And you, in turn, see me as a hidden conquest, a delightful enigma who will act appropriately."

‘Castles Crumbling (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’

The link between "Castles Crumbling" and track 14 on Speak Now, titled "Long Live," became evident to Swifties in no time. They regarded it as a "dark sister" and the complete opposite of the widely adored song that explores Taylor Swift's bond with her fans.

Kanye West and Taylor Swift YouTube

Singing, she reflects on a time when she held power and prestige during a glorious era. However, she now laments her fall from grace. It is possible that Swift is referencing the notorious 2009 VMAs incident, where she felt humiliated by being booed when Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech and declared Beyoncé as the more deserving winner. (She wrote the song "Innocent" in her album Speak Now as a response to West's actions.)

Teaming up with Hayley Williams from Paramore, they unite in the chorus and express feelings of despair. They compare their once mighty castles crumbling, bridges eroding, and they warn others not to associate with them as they fear disappointing others.

Swift has confronted her insecurities and uncertainties regarding the preservation of her immense achievements throughout the years. This can be observed through her discussions of similar themes in both "Nothing New (From the Vault)" from Red (Taylor’s Version) and "Anti-Hero" from Midnights. Additionally, parallels can be found in Reputation's track, "Call It What You Want," where she expresses, "My castle crumbled overnight... And I am aware that I repeat the same errors consistently, resulting in burned bridges and a failure to learn from my mistakes."

‘Foolish One (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’

In her song "Dear John," Taylor Swift expresses the regret of overlooking the warnings and advice she received regarding her relationship with John Mayer. This track may be inspired by her intense and short-lived romance with Mayer.

John Mayer and Taylor Swift Amanda Schwab/Starpix/Shutterstock

"Providing me with just enough attention, you raise my hopes unrealistically high. Wishful thoughts conveniently overlook the truth when something is wrong," the initial verse proclaims. "And despite the rational voices in my head, I will deliberately ignore them."

Swift openly urged her fans not to criticize Mayer for causing her pain at the age of 19, just before the re-release of Speak Now.

“And the voices proclaim, ‘You are not the exception / You will never grasp the wisdom,’” she croons prior to the chorus. “Gullible soul / Cease searching your mailbox for declarations of affection / Such declarations will never arrive / You will embark on the arduous path, you will take the arduous path downward.”

‘Timeless (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)’

Swift incorporated images of her grandparents into the lyric video for “Timeless,” which she shared on YouTube. In the song, she beautifully portrays a love story that transcends time. Additionally, she paid tribute to her grandmother by composing the heartfelt track "Marjorie" on her album Evermore in 2020.

Describing a scene set in 1944 on a bustling street, Swift sings about her longing for a love that would endure. She imagines herself reading her lover's love letters every night and fervently praying for his safe return. In this alternate reality, their love would have stayed strong and unyielding, standing the test of time.