Billboard Explains Why Taylor Swift is Re-Recording Her First Six Albums

Summary

In 2019, Taylor Swift began re-recording her first six albums to regain control over her master recordings after her original label, Big Machine, was sold without her consent. This move not only allows her to earn a larger percentage of royalties but also diminishes the value of the original masters owned by others. Taylor’s re-recordings, which include previously unreleased songs, serve as both a creative reclamation and a statement on artists' rights. Her efforts have sparked public interest and provided a valuable lesson on the importance of owning one's creative work, making her an advocate for future generations of musicians.

Takeaways

• 😀 Taylor Swift announced plans to re-record her first six albums in 2019 after a dispute over her master recordings.
• 😀 The re-recorded albums began with 'Fearless (Taylor's Version),' a move to regain control over her music.
• 😀 Taylor’s original music was controlled by Big Machine Records, which sold her master recordings to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings.
• 😀 Master recordings are crucial in the music industry, as they determine who earns royalties from licensing deals.
• 😀 After leaving Big Machine, Taylor joined Universal Music Group but her first six albums remained with her old label.
• 😀 Taylor Swift refused to allow licensing of her original albums for movies, TV shows, and commercials after the sale of her masters.
• 😀 Taylor’s decision to re-record her music allows her to gain a larger share of royalties and control over licensing deals.
• 😀 By re-recording, Taylor also reduces the value of the original albums controlled by her former label.
• 😀 Re-recording her albums also gives Taylor the chance to add previously unreleased songs, generating more fan interest.
• 😀 Taylor’s battle over her master recordings has turned her into a powerful advocate for artists' rights and music ownership.
• 😀 While re-recording music isn't new, Taylor’s decision to tackle six albums and add bonus material is unprecedented in scale.

Q & A

Why did Taylor Swift decide to re-record her first six albums?

Taylor Swift decided to re-record her first six albums to gain creative control over her music and to own the master recordings, which were previously controlled by her former label, Big Machine Records.

What is a master recording in the music industry?

A master recording refers to the original recording of a song or an album. It is crucial in the music industry as royalties derived from master recordings are a significant source of income for artists.

How did Taylor's relationship with Big Machine Records affect her royalties?

Taylor received only a percentage of the royalties from licensing deals due to her initial contract with Big Machine Records, which limited her earnings from her original music.

What triggered Taylor Swift's public feud with Scooter Braun?

The feud began when Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group and all of its recorded music assets, including Taylor's first six albums, which she claimed she was not given the opportunity to purchase.

What did Taylor gain by signing with Universal Music Group?

By signing with Universal Music Group, Taylor gained the ability to own her future master recordings, though her first six albums remained under the control of Big Machine Records.

How does re-recording her albums impact the value of her old music?

Re-recording her albums diminishes the value of the original recordings owned by Big Machine and Shamrock Holdings, as fans are encouraged to purchase or stream the new versions instead.

What historical precedent exists for artists re-recording their music?

Artists like Frank Sinatra, Def Leppard, Prince, and JoJo have re-recorded their old songs before, but Taylor is taking it to a new level by re-recording six albums and including unreleased material.

What is one of the key motivations for Taylor Swift in this re-recording project?

Beyond financial gain, a key motivation for Taylor is the desire to own her life's work and the songs that contributed to her fame and success.

How has Taylor Swift's actions influenced the music industry?

Her public battle for ownership of her master recordings has highlighted the importance of artists owning their creative property, turning her into an advocate for artists' rights.

What additional content can fans expect in Taylor's re-recorded albums?

Fans can expect previously unreleased songs and bonus material in the re-recorded albums, providing them with new insights into Taylor's artistic journey.