The weaker side of 1989: A track-by-track review(3 of 5)
"This Love" is the opposite when it comes to sound on 1989, with soft multi-vocals and slow warm synths that contrast to the hard-hitting synth guitars and drums that are constant in the instrumentals of most songs on the album. Many fans have ranked this song one of their lowest out of the 16 songs on 1989, but proves itself to be instrumentally, lyrically, and emotionally unique compared to the rest of the songs on the album. Photo is a screenshot.
by Leanna Tabora, staff reporter
This section of the album does not display what best represents 1989, but Swift never fails to write songs about an ex-boyfriend, “shaking off” her haters, and a female frenemy.
- “All You Had To Do Was Stay”– “All you had to do was stay/Hand me in the palm of your hand/Man, why’d you have to lock me out when I let you in,” Swift says in the chorus. In this song, Swift speaks about an ex-boyfriend who was unwilling to commit but came crawling back to her. Using her strong vocals, Swift uses them more than ever to chant “Stay!” in the background chorus. Everything about this song is definitely irresistible, but remains to be just an average song compared to the others on 1989. It may be just average compared to 1989, but is amazing compared to Swift’s previous work. Grade: 8/10
- “Shake it Off”– Everything about this song is sassy and powerful, and everyone who has heard this song can completely agree. Swift once again takes down her haters by “shaking it off”, and it’s irresistible to deny that addressing that she cares less about the negativity she receives is completely wonderful. Lyrics such as, “I go on too many dates/But I can’t make ‘em stay/At least that’s what people say” and “I’m dancing on my own/I make the moves up as I go” proves that Swift happily does not pay attention to what her haters have to say and what the media makes up about her. This uptempo pop track instrumented by a saxaphone is not effective in displaying Swift’s musical and lyrical talent, but the song will always be a great pop hit to dance and “shake” to. Grade: 5/10
- “I Wish You Would”– Co-written with Ryan Tedder, this vintage late 80’s pop-rock song focuses on Swift reminiscing a relationship when her ex-boyfriend moves down her street and passes by her house every night with the “windows down” and the car’s “headlights passing down her window pane.” The emphasis on guitars and striking vocals in this song is impressive throughout the song, as the song continues to build up. The plot and instrumental of this song may be stunning, but the song remains to be one of the least effectives on 1989. Grade: 7.5/10
- “Bad Blood”– This song has nothing to do with addressing having “bad blood” with an ex-boyfriend, but with a female frenemy (rumored to be Katy Perry). “It had to do with business. She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour,” Swift said in a Rolling Stone Cover Story interview in September. The emotions Swift displays in the hard-hitting drummed beat song full of sizzling guitars are angry and wounded. “Still got scars from the back of your knife/So don’t think it’s in the past/ These kind of wounds they last and they last.” Swift puts the blame on the other female artist for ruining their “mad love”, and the blame should definitely be put on Swift for creating a wonderful song full of catchy drum beats. Grade: 7.8/10
Stay tuned for part ⅘ of the review.