If you live under a rock (or don’t follow Taylor Swift on Twitter – in which case, who even ARE you?), chances are you’ll have missed the news that a rather famous music type has chosen to do a cover of the songstress’ work.
Now, we’re not talking a collection of Tay-Tay’s hits. That’d be unusual enough. No, someone’s gone and done a cover of the entire 1989 album.
Step forward big-haired, former husband of Mandy Moore Ryan Adams. Yep, the American singer-songwriter loved Taylor’s latest album so much he’s covered the whole darn thing. It sounds like a pretty bonkers move, but the result is a total treat.
Currently perched at number 3 in the iTunes chart, Adams’ interpretation of Taylor’s first foray into pop is brilliant. There’s a real Bruce Springsteen-y feel to it – opening track Welcome to New York’s taken on a total singalong anthemic vibe, while Style’s gone full-on stadium rock. The stripped back acoustic version of Blank Space gives the song a more vulnerable feel, while Clean is the standout track for me – Ryan’s vocals have a real haunting quality which lend themselves perfectly to this ‘recovering from a breakup’ track.
The only error he’s made is by sticking to the regular version of the album only – the three bonus tracks from the Deluxe version of 1989 have been left out, most notably New Romantics aka The Best Pop Track of All Time™.
Ryan Adams’ take on 1989 proves two things. One, that he’s a creative genius. And two – Taylor Swift is a phenomenal songwriter, whose work lends itself to so much more than you’d ever expect.
So what next, music industry? Skrillex does 1D? Little Mix take on Iron Maiden? Come on guys. Get creative! If the Adams/Swift overlap has taught us anything, sometimes a cover version can show us incredible things…
