The Rhymes And Reasons Behind Re-Recording Your Own Classics

Plus, celebrating Selena at 50. by Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna [Taylor Swift]( Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR / Getty Images Popular music often feels guided by a spirit of innovation and ingenuity, bringing us fresh sounds and perspectives. But recycling is often part of the process, too; sometimes, what appears to be new is actually something older remade, remixed and re-released. Bands remodel songs in their catalogs all the time: They add new orchestral flourishes, as Phoebe Bridgers did on her recent Copycat Killer EP, or retrofit tracks for lineup changes, as the band Journey did in 2008. But, as [writer Annie Zaleski explains]( re-records are something entirely different. The process of recording a note-for-note replica of a preexisting song or album can be lucrative, but it's also far more more complex – and emotional – than a mere remix or remake. The re-recording process has been on our minds lately because of Taylor Swift’s new version of her 2008 sophomore album, aptly named Fearless (Taylor’s Version). The new record is the result of a high-profile ownership dispute, and is the first of what Swift claims will be a series of re-recordings of her early material in order to regain control of her masters. For fans, whether you were [15]( [19]( or [22]( when Fearless debuted, this new version likely brings back some powerful memories — and feels pretty different from the vantage point of 2021. So we asked some musicians who are fans of Swift’s (including Adult Mom, Ruston Kelly and Shamir), plus a few of our colleagues, to [revisit their first experiences with the 2008 record]( as they came to the re-release. [You belong with me]( Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- New Music - Celebrate the arrival of spring with [Alt.Latino]( seasonal new music extravaganza]( featuring fresh sounds from heavy hitters, including Mon Laferte and Juanes, plus picks from Chucky73, Cuco, Girl Ultra and more. - On the latest installment of the Morning Edition Song Project, Kishi Bashi, aka Kaoru Ishibashi, shares “[For Every Voice That Never Sang]( his original composition inspired by a cross-country road trip with his daughter that reflects on the Asian American experience and the pain of pursuing acceptance. - Bob Boilen never fails to find new discoveries worth sharing. 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Plus, this week we shared a set from Americana star [Nathaniel Rateliff]( performed from an empty and beloved concert venue in Denver, and one from co-founder of yMusic and Bon Iver collaborator CJ Camerieri, aka [CARM](. Also this week: Actor and comedian KevOnStage spends a considerable amount of time waving the Tiny Desk flag for his millions of followers, so we asked him [to share a playlist of his five favorites with us](. --------------------------------------------------------------- One More Thing ☕ [Pour yourself a cup of ambition]( and hear the stories of the women behind the movement that inspired 9 to 5. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. --------------------------------------------------------------- What do you think of today's email? 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