:Fearless (Taylor's Version)

{{More information|Taylor Swift masters dispute}}

File:FearlessPrudentialCentMay2010.jpg, in 2010|alt=Taylor Swift on the Fearless Tour in 2010]]

Taylor Swift signed a publishing contract with Sony/ATV Tree Publishing in 2004, at 14 years old, to become a songwriter,{{Cite magazine |last1=Hiatt |first1=Brian |date=October 25, 2012 |title=Taylor Swift in Wonderland |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-in-wonderland-20121025 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731171417/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-in-wonderland-20121025 |archive-date=July 31, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |url-access=limited}} and a recording contract with Nashville-based independent record label Big Machine the next year to become a country singer.{{sfn|Spencer|2010|p=27}} Her self-titled debut studio album (2006) was the longest-charting album on the Billboard 200 of the 2000s, and it established Swift as one of country music's rising stars.{{cite magazine |last=Boardman |first=Madeline |date=August 25, 2017 |title=Flashback to Taylor Swift's First Album Drop |url=https://ew.com/gallery/taylor-swift-first-album-photos/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721012123/http://ew.com/gallery/taylor-swift-first-album-photos/ |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |access-date=August 25, 2017}}{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=October 29, 2009 |title=Chart Beat Thursday: Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw Linked Again |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/266889/chart-beat-thursday-taylor-swift-tim-mcgraw-linked-again |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626194521/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/266889/chart-beat-thursday-taylor-swift-tim-mcgraw-linked-again |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2019}} Her second studio album, Fearless, was released on November 11, 2008.{{sfn|Spencer|2010|p=51}} A country pop album, Fearless followed the country styling of Swift's debut{{cite web |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=March 26, 2010 |title=Living Fearless Taylor Swift Talks About Her Whirlwind Rise to the Top |url=http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/03/26/entertainment/doc4baba3395e3ef490410773.txt?viewmode=default |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716215636/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/03/26/entertainment/doc4baba3395e3ef490410773.txt?viewmode=default |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2011 |work=The Oakland Press}} and incorporated radio-friendly pop crossover and pop rock elements.{{cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=March 6, 2009 |title=Taylor Swift: Fearless |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/06/taylor-swift-fearless-album-review |url-status=live |access-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016160252/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/06/taylor-swift-fearless-album-review |archive-date=October 16, 2013}}{{Cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Taylor Swift – Fearless Album Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fearless-mw0000813082 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |publisher=AllMusic |archive-date=June 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610222906/http://www.allmusic.com/album/fearless-mw0000813082 |url-status=live }} It spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard 200 and, supported by the pop-radio hits "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me",{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless: How She Made Her Pop Breakthrough |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-fearless-album-making-1126978/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410112631/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-fearless-album-making-1126978/ |archive-date=April 10, 2021}} catapulted Swift into mainstream prominence beyond the country-music scene.{{cite magazine |date=April 9, 2021 |title=The Significance of Taylor Swift's Fearless in 2008—and How Taylor's Version Stacks Up |url=https://time.com/5953619/fearless-taylors-version-reactions-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826042950/https://time.com/5953619/fearless-taylors-version-reactions-taylor-swift/ |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2021 |url-access=limited}}{{Cite news |last=Coscarelli |first=Joe |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Rerecorded Album Releases Begin With Fearless in April |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/arts/music/taylor-swift-rerecord-fearless.html |url-access=limited |access-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410112631/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/arts/music/taylor-swift-rerecord-fearless.html |url-status=live }} Critics lauded Swift's songwriting for portraying earnest teenage feelings, and musicologist James E. Perone commented that Fearless transformed her status from a prodigy to a "singer-songwriter superstar".{{sfn|Perone|2017|p=21}} The most-awarded country album in history, it won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Country Music Association Awards, and the Grammy Awards.{{cite news |date=February 16, 2016 |title=Grammy Album of the Year Winners 1959 – 2015: Taylor Swift, Fearless |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/grammy-album-of-the-year-winners-through-the-years/2010-taylor-swift-fearless-taylor-swifts-sophomore-album-fearles0/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321174426/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/grammy-album-of-the-year-winners-through-the-years/2010-taylor-swift-fearless-taylor-swifts-sophomore-album-fearles0/ |archive-date=March 21, 2016 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cite magazine |last=Titus |first=Christa |date=April 17, 2010 |title=Backbeat |volume=122 |page=58 |magazine=Billboard |issue=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rOA5W_BoYGIC&pg=RA2-PA58 |url-status=live |access-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115144147/https://books.google.com/books?id=rOA5W_BoYGIC&pg=RA2-PA58&lpg=RA2-PA58 |archive-date=November 15, 2021}}

As part of Swift's contract, Big Machine released her next four studio albums, from Speak Now (2010) to Reputation (2017).{{Cite magazine |last=Sager |first=Jessica |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Everything We Know About Taylor Swift Re-Recording Her Old Albums |url=https://parade.com/1192648/jessicasager/why-is-taylor-swift-rerecording-rereleasing-old-albums-taylors-version/ |access-date=March 15, 2023 |magazine=Parade |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316061334/https://parade.com/1192648/jessicasager/why-is-taylor-swift-rerecording-rereleasing-old-albums-taylors-version/ |url-status=live }} She parted ways with the label after her contract expired in 2018 and thereafter signed a new contract with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group.{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=August 27, 2018|title=Taylor Swift Stands to Make Music Business History as a Free Agent|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|magazine=Variety|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-date=August 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829021649/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|url-status=live}} In 2019, the talent manager Scooter Braun and his company Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Records. The masters of Swift's Big Machine-released albums, including Fearless, were effectively transferred to Braun, which resulted in a public dispute between Swift and Braun.{{cite magazine|last=Christman|first=Ed|date=June 30, 2019|title=Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213002005/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta|url-status=live}} Swift denounced the purchase and began re-recording her first six studio albums, including Fearless, in November 2020.{{cite news |last=Melas |first=Chloe |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Speaks Out about Sale of Her Masters |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/16/entertainment/taylor-swift-masters/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118064935/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/taylor-swift-speaks-out-about-sale-of-her-masters-1.5191925 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |publisher=CNN}} By re-recording the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use and therefore substituted the Big Machine–owned masters.{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Neil |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Releases New Fearless Album, Reclaiming Her Back Catalog |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-releases-new-fearless-album-reclaiming-her-back-catalog-11617945524 |archive-date=October 8, 2021}} On February 11, 2021, she announced on Good Morning America that the re-recording of Fearless, to which she added the subtitle Taylor's Version, was the first in the series of her re-recorded albums.{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded Fearless Album, 'Love Story' Single Drop |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fearless-rerecorded-love-story-release-9524797/ |access-date=March 15, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031133939/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fearless-rerecorded-love-story-release-9524797/ |url-status=live }}

Fearless (Taylor's Version) comprises re-recordings of all 19 tracks on the original Platinum Edition release from 2009, 13 of which were first released in 2008 and six were Platinum Edition bonus tracks.{{Cite magazine |last=Nelson |first=Jeff |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Releases Fearless (Taylor's Version): Breaking Down All 6 New Songs 'from the Vault' |url=https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-releases-fearless-taylors-version-review-from-the-vault-songs-breakdown/ |access-date=March 16, 2023 |magazine=People |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316065726/https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-releases-fearless-taylors-version-review-from-the-vault-songs-breakdown/ |url-status=live }} Swift wanted to replicate the original production on the re-recording and thus examined the original tracks line by line and her vocal inflections. She revisited some parts with the aim to create a "same but better" version in mind.{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Says She Went 'Line by Line' on Every Fearless Song to See What to 'Improve' on Re-Record |url=https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-went-line-by-line-before-fearless-re-record/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409204104/https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-went-line-by-line-before-fearless-re-record/ |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |accessdate=April 10, 2021 |magazine=People}} She worked with members of her touring band who played in the 2008 sessions. For instance, on the re-recording of Fearless{{'s}} lead single "Love Story", those who reprised their roles included Jonathan Yudkin on fiddle, Amos Heller on bass guitar, and Caitlin Evanson on harmony vocals.{{cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Brought Back Some Original 'Love Story' Musicians for the Remake: Who Returned and Who Didn't |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-love-story-original-musicians-return-1234907307/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130034221/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-love-story-original-musicians-return-1234907307/ |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |magazine=Variety}} Colbie Caillat returned as a featured artist on the re-recording of "Breathe". Caillat said she agreed to Swift's invitation and went to Nashville to re-record her vocals the same day that Swift invited her to.{{Cite magazine |last=Ahlgrim |first=Callie |date=April 10, 2021 |title=Colbie Caillat Talks Rerecording 'Breathe' for Fearless (Taylor's Version): It Was An 'Instant Yes' |url=https://www.insider.com/colbie-caillat-taylor-swift-breathe-fearless-rerecord-interview-2021-4 |access-date=March 16, 2023 |magazine=Business Insider |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208131049/https://www.insider.com/colbie-caillat-taylor-swift-breathe-fearless-rerecord-interview-2021-4 |url-status=live }} The re-recorded album also features "Today Was a Fairytale", a soundtrack single Swift first recorded for the 2010 film Valentine's Day.

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Maren Morris 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg

| alt1 = Portrait of Maren Morris who is seen in a floral dress

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| footer = Maren Morris (left) featured on "You All Over Me", and Keith Urban (right) featured on "That's When" and played electric guitar and provided harmony vocals on "We Were Happy".

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In addition to the re-recordings, Fearless (Taylor's Version) contains six unreleased tracks that Swift wrote when she was in her teenage years and intended to include in, but ultimately left out of, the original Fearless release.{{cite news |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |last2=Coscarelli |first2=Joe |last3=Pareles |first3=Jon |author-link3=Jon Pareles |last4=Sisario |first4=Ben |author-link4=Ben Sisario |last5=Zoladz |first5=Lindsey |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Remade Fearless as Taylor's Version. Let's Discuss. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/arts/music/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409224903/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/arts/music/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version.html |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}} These tracks are subtitled "From the Vault" in the physical releases and "(Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)" on streaming platforms.{{efn|name="vault"}}{{efn|As adapted from Apple Music and Spotify{{Cite web |title=Fearless (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4hDok0OAJd57SGIT8xuWJH |access-date=March 16, 2023 |publisher=Spotify |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316073137/https://open.spotify.com/album/4hDok0OAJd57SGIT8xuWJH |url-status=live }}}} Swift said by including these unreleased tracks, which she "absolutely adored" but "were held back for different reasons", the re-recorded album proved that "the artist is the only one who really knows that body of work".{{efn|In a note published on her social media on April 11, 2021, Swift cited some reasons: "{{sic}} don't want too many break-up songs, don't want too many down-tempo songs, can't that fit that many songs on a physical CD".}} Maren Morris appears as a featured artist on "You All Over Me", and Keith Urban on "That's When".{{Cite magazine |last=Benitez-Eves |first=Tina |date=April 5, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Reveals 27-Song Tracklist of Upcoming Fearless Rerelease, Keith Urban Featured Tracks |url=https://americansongwriter.com/taylor-swift-reveals-27-song-tracklist-of-upcoming-fearless-rerelease-keith-urban-featured-tracks/ |access-date=March 16, 2023 |magazine=American Songwriter |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316083741/https://americansongwriter.com/taylor-swift-reveals-27-song-tracklist-of-upcoming-fearless-rerelease-keith-urban-featured-tracks/ |url-status=live }} Urban played electric guitar and contributed harmony vocals, but was uncredited as a featured artist, on "We Were Happy".{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless Re-Release Pays Homage to Her Nashville Roots |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/04/09/taylor-swift-fearless-release-country-music/ |access-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021010147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/04/09/taylor-swift-fearless-release-country-music/ |url-status=live }} Swift toured as an opening act to Urban's 2009 Escape Together World Tour, and Urban agreed to record with Swift after she contacted him via texts.{{Cite magazine |last=Clarke |first=Patrick |date=April 15, 2021 |title=Keith Urban Says He Was Christmas Shopping When Taylor Swift Enlisted Him for Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/keith-urban-christmas-shoppingtaylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-2921681 |access-date=March 16, 2023 |magazine=NME |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316080204/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/keith-urban-christmas-shoppingtaylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-2921681 |url-status=live }}

Swift and Christopher Rowe produced the 20 re-recorded tracks, which are all subtitled "Taylor's Version". David Payne recorded them at Black Bird and Prime Recording Studios in Nashville, and Rowe recorded Swift's lead vocals at Kitty Committee Studio, which is Swift's home studio in London.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Fearless (Taylor's Version) |publisher=Republic Records |year=2021 |type=CD liner notes |id=B0033578-02 |last=Swift |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Swift}} Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner respectively co-produced four and two vault tracks; both had produced Swift's 2020 albums Folklore and Evermore. Antonoff and engineer Laura Sisk recorded them at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles, Electric Lady Studios in New York, and Rough Customer Studio in Brooklyn; and Dessner as well as Bella Basko at the former's Long Pond Studio in Hudson Valley. In total, Fearless (Taylor's Version) comprises 26 tracks,{{Efn|Digital and streaming editions. The 27-track physical edition features a remix of "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" by Swedish producer Evilra as a bonus track.|name=tracklist}} and Swift is credited as the sole writer on 11 of them.{{efn|Including two versions of a same song: "Forever & Always (Taylor's Version)" and "Forever & Always (Piano Version) (Taylor's Version)"}} Serban Ghenea mixed the album at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Randy Merrill mastered it at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, New Jersey.

Fearless (Taylor's Version) is a country pop album that feature country-music instruments such as guitars, banjo, and fiddles.{{efn|Attributed to reviews by The New York Times{{'}} critics' panel, The Daily Telegraph{{'s}} Neil McCormick, and Clash{{'s}} Lucy Harbron}} They incorporate prominent pop and pop-rock elements; Alexis Petridis of The Guardian found them to have "indelible melodies and choruses with the efficiency of a Nordic pop factory". Written during Swift's teenage years, the lyrics explore her coming of age and the feelings and reflections ensuing from love that many teenagers could relate to: heartbreak, first kisses, frustrations, and dreams.{{efn|As described by such critics as Petridis, McCormick, and Sarah Carson for i }}

The 20 re-recorded tracks feature the same arrangements and lyrics as on the original recordings that led to many critics commenting that a casual listener might not catch any differences.{{efn|Attributed to The New York Times, McCormick, and Carl Wilson for Slate{{Cite magazine |last=Wilson |first=Carl |author-link=Carl Wilson (writer) |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless Redux Is Both Business Stunt and Conceptual Art |magazine=Slate |url=https://slate.com/culture/2021/04/taylor-swift-fearless-rerelease-version-review-bonus-tracks.html |access-date=June 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128222437/https://slate.com/culture/2021/04/taylor-swift-fearless-rerelease-version-review-bonus-tracks.html |url-status=live }}}} The production has a clearer fidelity, a clearer mix, and more defined instruments{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Katie |date=April 15, 2021 |title='I Made My Peace': Fans Divided Over Taylor Swift's Re-Recording Project |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/15/i-made-my-peace-fans-divided-over-taylor-swifts-re-recording-project |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324162343/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/15/i-made-my-peace-fans-divided-over-taylor-swifts-re-recording-project |url-status=live }}—Pitchfork's Dani Blum said "each peal of guitar is sharper". Michael A. Lee, a professor in commercial music, said the re-recorded album has a much richer sound because it was recorded with more use of the outside environment which allows the mixes to "spread a lot wider". According to Lee, the engineers equalized the instruments with fuller range of frequencies incorporating mid- and low-frequency elements, which makes the instruments sound "more like themselves" whereas the original's sounded thin because of their "bright high ends". Some critics identified certain tweaks: Blum said the re-recorded "Love Story" features an "invigorating blast of fiddle", and according to Jon Pareles from The New York Times, the title track "Fearless" omits the original's 10-second organ intro, and "Tell Me Why" scraps the fiddle echo. Lee wrote each re-recorded track prioritizes certain parts—the tambourine is clearer and the guitar solo is less distorted in "Change", the cymbals in the break of "Hey Stephen" are louder, and the guitars and strings on "Breathe", "You're Not Sorry", and "Today Was a Fairytale" are more prominent because they were recorded at a closer vicinity to the microphones.

A multitude of critics said that Swift's vocals were the most significant change; although she sang the same notes and retained a light country-music twang, they became richer, deeper, and more controlled.{{efn|Attributed to McCormick, The New York Times, Rolling Stone{{'s}} Jonathan Bernstein, and Spin{{'s}} Bobby Olivier}} Clash's Lucy Harbron attributed this change to Swift's artistic evolution encompassing country, pop, and indie styles. The drums are occasionally tuned a degree lower than the original to match Swift's deeper vocal tones. Lee pointed to "You're Not Sorry" as the re-recorded track where her voice most improved: it sounded "less nasal and more from the chest".{{cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Lauren |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's New Fearless Album Sounds Different—We Got An Expert to Tell Us Why |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-new-fearless-album-differences/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=December 6, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207051047/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-new-fearless-album-differences/ |url-status=live }} Paula Clare Harper, an assistant professor in musicology, agreed that Swift performed with more chest-driven vocals but also said she retained some "signature aspects" of country music.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Kyle |date=November 8, 2021 |title=We Compared Taylor's Version Songs With the Original Taylor Swift Albums |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-compared-taylors-version-songs-with-the-original-taylor-swift-albums-11636383601 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115062622/https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-compared-taylors-version-songs-with-the-original-taylor-swift-albums-11636383601 |archive-date=November 15, 2021}} Many critics remarked how Swift's matured vocals brought forth a different listening experience: Blum felt they had an air of melancholy, and Pareles said they reflected Swift's wisdom at 30 years when she looked back at her teenage experiences. Slate's Carl Wilson wrote that although Swift managed to recreate her once-teenage vocal inflictions and mannerisms, her matured voice made the album sound nostalgic. For Lee, the re-recorded tracks lose the original's sense of earnestness because Swift seemed more hesitant on some of the lyrics which "she maybe was able to sing [...] in a little more unmitigated way".

On the six "From the Vault" tracks, Antonoff and Dessner reprised some of their production styles on Swift's albums Folklore and Evermore,{{Cite magazine |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Knew Everything When She Was Young |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/04/taylor-swift-fearless-rerecording/618584/ |url-access=limited |access-date=March 26, 2023 |magazine=The Atlantic |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326041113/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/04/taylor-swift-fearless-rerecording/618584/ |url-status=live }} creating a sound that infuses country pop with indie elements brought by diverse instruments such as synthesizers, horns, and programmed drums. Consequence{{'s}} Katie Moulton selected "Don't You" and "Bye Bye Baby" as the tracks with "electronic atmospherics" that deviated from the overarching acoustic sounds of Fearless.{{Cite web |last=Moulton |first=Katie |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Honors Her Own Vision on Fearless (Taylor's Version): Review |url=https://consequence.net/2021/04/album-review-taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version/ |access-date=March 15, 2023 |website=Consequence |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315042344/https://consequence.net/2021/04/album-review-taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version/ |url-status=live }} Thematically, the vault tracks are about past romantic relationships, and their lyrics feature melodramatic tendencies from an adolescent perspective. For some critics, they offered a glimpse into Swift's songwriting process and how it evolved over her next albums, and her grown-up reflection on her once youthful optimism.

"You All Over Me", a track about being unable to move on from an ex-lover, is an acoustic ballad with country-indebted guitars, fiddles, and harmonica,{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Every 'From The Vault' Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's Fearless (Taylor's Version): Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9554129/taylor-swift-fearless-from-the-vault-songs-ranked |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412122626/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9554129/taylor-swift-fearless-from-the-vault-songs-ranked |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |access-date=April 12, 2021}} alongside synth drum loops. "Mr. Perfectly Fine" is a track combining country, pop rock, and rock and roll, with a prominent pop melody instrumented by synth accents and dynamic refrains.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=46}} The song's lyrics contain sarcastic remarks at a former lover. The slow-paced "We Were Happy" is about reminiscing over the beautiful moments of a broken relationship, such as watching sunsets together, dreaming about buying a family farm, and getting married. The couple in question split even though they were still happy, which made the ending hard for the narrator to accept.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=47}} Its minimal instrumental incorporates a chiming guitar riff, accents of cello and lap steel guitar,{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=47}} and vocal harmonies from Urban.

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In "That's When", a country pop and indie folk tune with layered vocal harmonies, Swift and Urban duet about two past lovers reuniting after making amends for their past mistakes.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=47}} "Don't You" is a minimalist pop track with an atmospheric electronic production{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=49}} that incorporates layered keyboards—including a prominent Rhodes piano throughout, flutes, electric guitars, and drums,{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=49}} The lyrics of "Don't You" depict the narrator running into a former lover and pining for their past relationship. The closing track, "Bye Bye Baby", whose demo had circulated on the internet for years, is about the narrator being resolute in letting go of a broken romance that no longer serves them.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=50}} Its melancholic production consists of thrumming beats and a unison of violin, Wurlitzer organ, and flute.{{Sfn|Zaleski|2024|p=50}}

Compared to the extensive promotional rollouts of Swift's other albums, Fearless (Taylor's Version) was preceded by a rather minimal campaign that relied on social media.{{Cite news |last=Garvey |first=Marianne |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Drops Rerecorded Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-fearless-trnd/index.html |access-date=March 26, 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326040801/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-fearless-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }} Pitchfork included it in their list of the most anticipated albums for spring 2021.{{Cite web|date=April 6, 2021|title=The 49 Most Anticipated Albums of Spring 2021: Taylor Swift, Japanese Breakfast, J Balvin, and More|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-49-most-anticipated-albums-of-spring-2021-taylor-swift-japanese-breakfast-j-balvin-and-more/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=Pitchfork|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608020155/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-49-most-anticipated-albums-of-spring-2021-taylor-swift-japanese-breakfast-j-balvin-and-more/|url-status=live}} On February 11, Swift announced Fearless (Taylor's Version) on Good Morning America and her social media. The following day, she released "Love Story (Taylor's Version)".{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Has Finished Re-Recording Fearless – And It Could Be Out in April |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56022946 |access-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211143739/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56022946 |url-status=live }} It peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and made Swift the second artist after Dolly Parton to have both the original and re-recorded versions of a song atop the chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Asker |first=Jim |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Love Story (Taylor's Version)' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs Chart: 'I'm So Grateful to the Fans' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9529564/taylor-swift-love-story-number-one-hot-country-songs/ |url-status=dead |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422005222/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9529564/taylor-swift-love-story-number-one-hot-country-songs |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021}} Two vault tracks, "You All Over Me" and "Mr. Perfectly Fine", were released for download and streaming on March 25{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=March 24, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Announces New Song 'You All Over Me (From The Vault)': Here's When It's Dropping|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9545277/taylor-swift-announces-you-all-over-me-from-the-vault|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324192426/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9545277/taylor-swift-announces-you-all-over-me-from-the-vault|url-status=live}} and April 7.{{Cite web |last=Crone |first=Madeline |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Pulls Number Two 'From the Vault', 'Mr. Perfectly Fine' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/taylor-swift-pulls-number-two-from-the-vault-mr-perfectly-fine-news/ |access-date=March 23, 2023 |magazine=American Songwriter |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522160753/https://americansongwriter.com/taylor-swift-pulls-number-two-from-the-vault-mr-perfectly-fine-news/ |url-status=live }} Both reached the top 10 on Hot Country Songs; they respectively peaked at number six and number two.{{Cite magazine |last=Asker |first=Jim |date=April 20, 2021 |title=With Fearless (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift Scores First Top Country Albums No. 1 Since Red |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9559462/taylor-swift-no-1-top-country-albums-chart |url-status=dead |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421054457/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9559462/taylor-swift-no-1-top-country-albums-chart |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021}}

Before releasing the track list on April 3, Swift teased the titles of the vault tracks through an animated clip containing scrambled anagrams on her social media.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 2, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Reveals Track List for Fearless (Taylor's Version); Keith Urban Delighted to 'Join the Band' |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-bonus-track-titles-anagrams-1234943302/ |access-date=March 23, 2023 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403163511/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-bonus-track-titles-anagrams-1234943302/ |url-status=live }} In the hours leading up to the album's release, Swift released snippets of some re-recorded tracks across social media platforms. On April 8, the singer-songwriters Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray, whom had been contacted by Swift, posted clips of themselves dancing to excerpts of "You Belong with Me (Taylor's Version)" on TikTok and "White Horse (Taylor's Version) on Instagram. Other snippets made available on social media were those of "Fifteen (Taylor's Version)" on Snapchat, "Breathe (Taylor's Version)" on Tumblr, and "Hey Stephen (Taylor's Version)" on Twitter. She again appeared on Good Morning America to preview "Fearless (Taylor's Version)".{{Cite magazine |last=Ginsberg |first=Gab |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Recruits Olivia Rodrigo & Conan Gray to Help Tease Re-Recorded Fearless Songs: Hear Multiple New Snippets |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9553262/taylor-swift-olivia-rodrigo-conan-gray-share-clips-fearless/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418044222/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9553262/taylor-swift-olivia-rodrigo-conan-gray-share-clips-fearless/ |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=April 18, 2021}} Related merchandise including clothes and accessories all featured the extended moniker "Taylor's Version". The New York Times' Ben Sisario commented this promotion created a "communal and celebratory experience" for Swift's fans who found the music nostalgic and the "Taylor's Version" branding empowering.

Republic Records released Fearless (Taylor's Version) on April 9, 2021.{{cite web |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Still Fearless: Re-Recording The Past On Taylor's Version |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/04/12/985842675/still-fearless-re-recording-the-past-on-taylors-version |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418045503/https://www.npr.org/2021/04/12/985842675/still-fearless-re-recording-the-past-on-taylors-version |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=January 16, 2022 |publisher=NPR}} The cover artwork is a sepia-toned photograph of Swift shot from a low camera angle that shows herself with windblown hair locks.{{cite magazine |last=Battan |first=Carrie |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Wins with Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/taylor-swift-wins-with-fearless-taylors-version |url-status=live |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412200235/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/taylor-swift-wins-with-fearless-taylors-version |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |url-access=limited}} In it, she recreates her pose on the original album cover but looks in the opposite direction.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fearless-re-recording-1126895/|title=Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded Fearless Album With New Songs|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=February 11, 2021|access-date=August 15, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326072343/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fearless-re-recording-1126895/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/taylor-swift-album-covers-1235157895/10-taylor-swift-fearless-album-art-cr-beth-garrabrant-billboard-1240-1617974663/|title=Every Taylor Swift Album Cover, Ranked|first=Danielle|last=Pascual|date=May 22, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 15, 2023|archive-date=August 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815063931/https://www.billboard.com/photos/taylor-swift-album-covers-1235157895/10-taylor-swift-fearless-album-art-cr-beth-garrabrant-billboard-1240-1617974663/|url-status=live}} The standard physical copies were made available for pre-order on Swift's website,{{Cite web|last=Carson|first=Erin|date=February 12, 2021|title=Taylor Swift rerecords Fearless for release in April. Here's how to preorder|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/taylor-swift-to-release-rerecorded-version-of-fearless-in-april-heres-how-to-preorder/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212203509/https://www.cnet.com/news/taylor-swift-to-release-rerecorded-version-of-fearless-in-april-heres-how-to-preorder/|archive-date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2021|publisher=CNET}} and CDs with collectible posters available for pre-order exclusively at Target.{{Cite web|title=Taylor Swift - Fearless (Taylor's Version) (Target Exclusive, CD)|url=https://www.target.com/p/taylor-swift-fearless-taylor-39-s-version-target-exclusive-cd/-/A-82437662|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213145542/https://www.target.com/p/taylor-swift-fearless-taylor-39-s-version-target-exclusive-cd/-/A-82437662|archive-date=February 13, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2021|publisher=Target Corporation}} The vinyl LPs came in two editions, one golden in color and the other red; the former was available on Swift's website and the other at Target.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=October 10, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless (Taylor's Version) Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9643266/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-billboard-200-return-number-1/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011202353/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9643266/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-billboard-200-return-number-1/ |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021}} Swift appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on April 13, 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Hey Stephen: Taylor Swift Is Coming to Colbert Next Week |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/9553773/taylor-swift-announced-colbert-special-guest |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408233741/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/9553773/taylor-swift-announced-colbert-special-guest/ |archive-date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021}} In the weeks after the album's release, Swift put out four streaming-exclusive compilation "chapters" that feature select tracks from Fearless (Taylor's Version): The Halfway Out the Door Chapter,{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-halfway-out-door-chapter-ep/1566423066|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version): The Halfway Out The Door Chapter – EP|publisher=Apple Music|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514130312/https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-halfway-out-door-chapter-ep/1566423066|url-status=live}} The Kissing in the Rain Chapter,{{cite web |title=Fearless (Taylor's Version): The Kissing In The Rain Chapter – EP |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-the-kissing-in-the-rain-chapter-ep/1567259315 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519170829/https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-the-kissing-in-the-rain-chapter-ep/1567259315 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=May 19, 2021 |publisher=Apple Music}} The I Remember What You Said Last Night Chapter,{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-i-remember-what-you-said-last/1568160264|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version): The I Remember What You Said Last Night Chapter – EP|publisher=Apple Music|date=May 24, 2021|access-date=May 24, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524161419/https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-i-remember-what-you-said-last/1568160264|url-status=live}} and The From the Vault Chapter.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-the-from-the-vault-chapter-ep/1568159069|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version): The From The Vault Chapter – EP|publisher=Apple Music|date=May 26, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526164619/https://music.apple.com/us/album/fearless-taylors-version-the-from-the-vault-chapter-ep/1568159069|url-status=live}} On September 20, 2021, she released limited-edition autographed CDs exclusively via her website for 72 hours.{{Cite magazine |last=Bowenbank |first=Starr |date=September 21, 2021 |title=Here's Why Taylor Swift Says Her Hands Are in the 'Permanent Shape of Claw' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9632962/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-signed-copies-permanent-claw-hands/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920231150/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9632962/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-signed-copies-permanent-claw-hands/ |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |access-date=September 21, 2021}}

Fearless (Taylor's Version) amassed 50 million global first-day streams on Spotify.{{Cite magazine |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=April 18, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Logs Third No. 1 Album in Less Than a Year With Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-no-1-album-1234954368/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418225636/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-no-1-album-1234954368/ |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=April 19, 2021}} In the United States, the album was Swift's ninth consecutive to debut atop the Billboard 200. Of its first-week tally of 291,000 album-equivalent units, 179,000 were pure album sales.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=April 18, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Re-Recorded Fearless Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With Year's Biggest Week |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-tops-billboard-200 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418205735/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/9558306/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-tops-billboard-200 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=April 18, 2021}} It was first re-recorded album to reach number one and registered the biggest sales week for a country album since 2015.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless (Taylor's Version) Debuts Huge: What It Means for Replicating Oldies, Weaponizing Fans |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421003048/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/ |url-status=live }} With Folklore, Evermore, and Fearless (Taylor's Version), Swift became the first female artist to have three number-one albums in less than a year. Fearless (Taylor's Version) was her sixth number one on Top Country Albums, and 18 of its tracks charted on Hot Country Songs the same week. The album made Swift return to the top of Billboard{{'s}} Artist 100 chart for a record-extending 47th week.{{Cite magazine |last=Zellner |first=Xander |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Extends Record Atop Artist 100 Chart, DMX Debuts at No. 2 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9559489/taylor-swift-no-1-artist-100-chart-dmx-debuts/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422043729/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9559489/taylor-swift-no-1-artist-100-chart-dmx-debuts/ |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=April 22, 2021}} Following the release of its vinyl LPs and signed CDs, Fearless (Taylor's Version) returned to number one on the Billboard 200, for a second week, from number 157, the third-largest jump to number one in history. It was the fifth-best-selling album of 2021 in the United States, with sales of 521,000 copies.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=January 6, 2022 |title=Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Is Most-Streamed Song of 2021 In U.S., Morgan Wallen's Dangerous: The Double Album Is MRC Data's Top Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-morgan-wallen-us-2021-mrc-data-1235016079/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106155545/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-morgan-wallen-us-2021-mrc-data-1235016079/ |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |access-date=January 17, 2022}} Fearless (Taylor's Version) had accumulated 1.81 million album-equivalent units, of which 737,000 were pure sales, in the United States by July 2023.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-taylors-version-stats-chart-numbers/a-big-difference-in-total-streams/|title=7 Key Stats Proving That Taylor Swift's First Two Taylor's Version Re-Recordings Have Been Dominant|magazine=Billboard|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=July 6, 2023|access-date=July 12, 2023|archive-date=July 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712155517/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-taylors-version-stats-chart-numbers/a-big-difference-in-total-streams/|url-status=live}}

In the Anglosphere, Fearless (Taylor's Version) peaked atop the charts of Australia,{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Smashes Records In Australia as Fearless (Taylor's Version) Debuts at No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9557553/taylor-swift-records-australia-fearless-taylors-version-no-1 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416085619/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9557553/taylor-swift-records-australia-fearless-taylors-version-no-1 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2021}} Canada, Ireland,{{Cite web |last=White |first=Jack |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Takes Out Sixth Irish Number 1 Album with Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-takes-out-sixth-number-1-on-the-official-irish-albums-chart-with-fearless-taylor-s-version-__32919/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417092338/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-takes-out-sixth-number-1-on-the-official-irish-albums-chart-with-fearless-taylor-s-version-__32919/ |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2021 |publisher=Official Charts Company}} New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last=Copsey |first=Rob |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Beats the Beatles' Record as Fearless (Taylor's Version) Debuts at Number 1 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-beats-the-beatles-uk-chart-record-as-fearless-taylors-version-becomes-her-third-number-1-album-in-under-a-year__32924/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417092337/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-beats-the-beatles-uk-chart-record-as-fearless-taylors-version-becomes-her-third-number-1-album-in-under-a-year__32924/ |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2021 |publisher=Official Charts Company}} It made Swift the female musician with the most number-one albums of the 21st century in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. In Australia, Fearless (Taylor's Version) topped the chart 17 weeks after Evermore, which registered the fewest weeks between two number-one albums by the same artist.{{Cite magazine |last=Connery |first=Tess |date=April 17, 2021 |title=ARIA Charts: Taylor Swift Breaks Records with Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/aria-charts-taylor-swift-breaks-records-with-fearless-taylors-version/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421075109/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/aria-charts-taylor-swift-breaks-records-with-fearless-taylors-version/ |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021 |magazine=Mediaweek}} In the United Kingdom, it helped Swift surpass the Beatles to claim the fastest accumulation of three number-one albums. It also reached number one in Argentina. In China, Fearless (Taylor's Version) sold more than 205,000 copies on digital music platforms in less than five minutes.{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Dennis |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless Hits the Right Note in China, Again |url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0416/c90000-9840061.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428122310/http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0416/c90000-9840061.html |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |access-date=June 26, 2021 |website=People's Daily}} On some albums charts, sales of Fearless (Taylor's Version) helped bolster the chart performance of the original Fearless, which reached new peaks in 2021 including number two in Austria{{Cite web |title=Taylor Swift – Fearless |url=https://hitparade.ch/album/Taylor-Swift/Fearless-101615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109125751/https://hitparade.ch/album/Taylor-Swift/Fearless-101615 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2021 |publisher=Ö3 Austria Top 40 |language=de-AT}} and Germany,{{Cite web |title=Fearless: Album |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-101615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418003131/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-101615 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=April 22, 2021 |publisher=GfK Entertainment charts |language=de}} and number three in Switzerland.{{Cite web |title=Taylor Swift – Fearless |url=http://swisscharts.com/album/Taylor-Swift/Fearless-101615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420075528/http://swisscharts.com/album/Taylor-Swift/Fearless-101615 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=April 22, 2021 |publisher=Hung Medien |language=gsw}}

The album received gold certifications in France and the United Kingdom, and platinum certifications in Australia and New Zealand. According to a March 2022 report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, Fearless (Taylor's Version) was one of the 10 global best-selling-albums of 2021, with pure sales of 980,000 copies.{{cite web |date=March 2022 |title=Global Music Report 2022 |url=https://www.ifpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IFPI_Global_Music_Report_2022-State_of_the_Industry.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323081925/https://www.ifpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IFPI_Global_Music_Report_2022-State_of_the_Industry.pdf |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |publisher=IFPI |page=9}}

{{Album ratings

| title = Fearless (Taylor's Version) ratings

| ADM = 7.7/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/12809/Taylor-Swift-Fearless-Taylors-Version.aspx|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version) – Taylor Swift|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409092638/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/12809/Taylor-Swift-Fearless-Taylors-Version.aspx|url-status=live}}

| MC = 82/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2score = A

| rev3 = Clash

| rev3score = 8/10

| rev4 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev4score = {{rating|5|5}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev6 = The Independent

| rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 7.5/10

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev10 = The Times

| rev10score = {{rating|4|5}}

}}

On Metacritic, a review aggregator site that assigns a normalized score out of 100 to ratings from mainstream publications, Fearless (Taylor's Version) received a weighted mean score of 82 based on 17 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web |title=Fearless (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift Reviews and Tracks |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/fearless-taylors-version/taylor-swift |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412030829/https://www.metacritic.com/music/fearless-taylors-version/taylor-swift |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |access-date=April 20, 2021 |publisher=Metacritic}} AnyDecentMusic? compiled 16 reviews and gave it an average score of 7.7 out of 10.

Critics praised the re-recording's production for remaining faithful to the original and felt it had an enhanced quality.{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Laura |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Critics Praise Taylor Swift's 'Beyond-Meticulous' Re-Recording of Album Fearless |url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/critics-praise-taylor-swifts-beyond-meticulous-re-recording-of-album-fearless/40291627.html |access-date=July 12, 2023 |newspaper=Irish Independent |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712093739/https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/critics-praise-taylor-swifts-beyond-meticulous-re-recording-of-album-fearless/40291627.html |url-status=live }} Many complimented the production as crisper and warmer,{{efn|Attributed to reviews by Harbron,{{Cite magazine |last=Harbron |first=Lucy |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift – Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409075926/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |magazine=Clash}} The A.V. Club{{'s}} Saloni Gajjar, NME{{'s}} Hannah Mylrea,{{cite magazine |last=Mylrea |first=Hannah |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift – Fearless (Taylor's Version) Review: A Celebration of the Star's Breakout Album |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-2916595 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409041848/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-2916595 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |magazine=NME}} and The Observer{{'s}} Kitty Empire}} but Rolling Stone{{'s}} Jonathan Bernstein thought the re-recorded tracks were "less slick".{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Carefully Reimagines Her Past on Fearless: Taylor's Version |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-1153454/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409134350/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-1153454/ |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |url-access=limited}} The Guardian{{'s}} Alexis Petridis and The Daily Telegraph{{'s}} Neil McCormick wrote that Fearless (Taylor's Version) made them appreciate Fearless as an outstanding album filled with catchy melodies.{{cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) Review – Old Wounds Take on New Resonances |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/09/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409053832/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/09/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Copies Her Younger Self – And She Sounds Even More Fearless Today |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-copies-younger-self-sounds-even-fearless-today/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409053648/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/taylor-swift-copies-younger-self-sounds-even-fearless-today/ |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} Praise also directed toward Swift's vocals for how they became fuller and richer while retaining the teenage sentiments,{{efn|Attributed to reviews by Cormick, The New York Times, Olivier,{{Cite magazine |last=Olivier |first=Bobby |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's Fearless Re-Recording Is a Thrilling Timewarp |url=https://www.spin.com/2021/04/taylor-swifts-fearless-taylors-version-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409083745/https://www.spin.com/2021/04/taylor-swifts-fearless-taylors-version-review/ |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |magazine=Spin}} and Rolling Stone{{'s}} Jonathan Bernstein}} but some said that her voice conveyed the messages from a nostalgic or rather melancholy perspective{{Cite web |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Fearless (Taylor's Version) Review: Recontexualized Teen Musings |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-taylor-swift-new-fearless-gives-mature-voice-to-her-insular-teen-musings/ |access-date=March 15, 2023 |magazine=Slant Magazine |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315050340/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-taylor-swift-new-fearless-gives-mature-voice-to-her-insular-teen-musings/ |url-status=live }} and at times lost the earnestness of the original recordings.{{cite news |last=Pollard |first=Alexandra |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Review, Fearless (Taylor's Version) – Wisely Not Trying to Rewrite History |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version-b1828897.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409084222/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version-b1828897.html |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |newspaper=The Independent}}

Another point of praise was Swift's lyrics: many critics remarked that the songs explore the feelings that not only teenagers but also many people could relate to, which made Fearless (Taylor's Version) a reminder of how the original album withstood the test of time and an introduction to a new generation of Swift's fans.{{efn|Attributed to reviews by McCormick, Carson,{{cite news |last=Carson |first=Sarah |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift, Fearless (Taylor's Version), Review: A Faithful and Symbolic Triumph |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review-a-faithful-and-symbolic-triumph-947744 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409053430/https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review-a-faithful-and-symbolic-triumph-947744 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |newspaper=i}} the Financial Times{{'}} Ludovic Hunter-Tilney,{{Cite news |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Revisits Her Past |newspaper=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/66a712b6-3ae2-4787-a33b-d76f9ededb34 |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209103832/https://www.ft.com/content/66a712b6-3ae2-4787-a33b-d76f9ededb34 |url-status=live }} and The Line of Best Fit{{'s}} Ross Horton{{Cite magazine |last=Horton |first=Ross |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Reclaims Her Pivotal Moment by Breathing New Life into Fearless |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-album-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409093114/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-album-review |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |magazine=The Line of Best Fit}}}} Will Hodgkinson of The Times lauded the album as "a masterclass in classic Nashville songwriting".{{cite news |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |author-link=Will Hodgkinson |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) Review – Sweet, Nostalgic and as Wholesome as Apple Pie |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review-sweet-nostalgic-and-as-wholesome-as-apple-pie-7m2rdz6lq |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409142457/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review-sweet-nostalgic-and-as-wholesome-as-apple-pie-7m2rdz6lq |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |newspaper=The Times}} Petridis and Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times wrote that the songs are timeless because they explore and mythologize the adolescent feelings that will become snapshots of one's youth for them to look back in their life. Slant Magazine{{'s}} Jonathan Keefe was more critical and said the songwriting tropes and lyrical imagery were "juvenile" compared to Swift's later albums.

The vault tracks received mixed reviews. Some critics deemed them inferior to the re-recorded Fearless tracks,{{efn|Attributed to reviews by Empire,{{Cite news |last=Empire |first=Kitty |author-link=Kitty Empire |date=April 10, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) Review – A Labour of Revenge, but Also of Love |newspaper=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/10/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review |access-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202201309/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/10/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-review |url-status=live }} Petridis, Blum,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version/|title=Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Blum|first=Dani|date=April 20, 2021|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420200729/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version/|url-status=live}} and the Los Angeles Times{{'}} Mikael Wood}} but others appreciated them for offering a glimpse into Swift's evolving songwriting at the time. Variety{{'s}} Chris Willman particularly enjoyed "You All Over Me" and "Mr. Perfectly Fine" but deemed the remaining tracks rather dull.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Turns on a Facsimile Machine for the Ingenious Recreations of Fearless (Taylor's Version): Album Review |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-album-review-vault-1234947622/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409051205/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-album-review-vault-1234947622/ |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |magazine=Variety}} Keefe praised the vault tracks for showcasing Swift's "preternatural gifts for song structure and melody" but deemed them insubstantial and their lyrics weak. Saloni Gajjar of The A.V. Club thought otherwise and opined that they fit in well with the album,{{cite web |last=Gajjar |first=Saloni |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Forged Ahead with a Dreamy Throwback in Fearless (Taylor's Version) |url=https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-forges-ahead-with-a-dreamy-throwback-in-fe-1846642893 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409154601/https://music.avclub.com/taylor-swift-forges-ahead-with-a-dreamy-throwback-in-fe-1846642893 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=The A.V. Club}} and McCormick was impressed with the "sharp turns of phrase and touches of biting wit" of "We Were Happy" and "Bye Bye Baby". Spin's Bobby Olivier and AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the vault tracks are the album's most appealing, and the latter appreciated them for blending their "younger, dewy-eyed perspective" with a "mature" production from Dessner and Antonoff.{{Cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Taylor Swift – Fearless [Taylor's Version] Album Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fearless-taylors-version-mw0003502102 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421180911/https://www.allmusic.com/album/fearless-taylors-version-mw0003502102 |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=April 19, 2021 |publisher=AllMusic}}

Swift did not submit Fearless (Taylor's Version) to contend for the Grammy Awards and Country Music Association Awards. A Republic Records statement explained that Swift decided to do so because she wanted the awards committee to focus on Evermore, which was submitted for all eligible Grammy categories. It added that the decision came after Swift's "careful consideration" regarding the original Fearless{{'s}} status as the most-awarded country album up to that time.{{Cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Melinda |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Pulls Fearless (Taylor's Version) From Grammy & CMA Awards Contention: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9604003/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-grammys-cma-awards-pulled/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826132543/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9604003/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-grammys-cma-awards-pulled |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2021}} At the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, Fearless (Taylor's Version) was nominated for Top Country Album, which was won by Red (Taylor's Version), another re-recorded album by Swift.{{Cite magazine |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=May 15, 2022 |title=Billboard Music Awards: Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/2022-billboard-music-winners-list-full-1235147066/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516050925/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/2022-billboard-music-winners-list-full-1235147066/ |url-status=live }} After Fearless (Taylor's Version) was released, the original Fearless dropped in sales and, as of July 2023, did not reappear on the Billboard 200 chart.

Journalists described Fearless (Taylor's Version) as a key event in raising awareness for artists' rights in the music industry.{{cite news |last=Rosseinsky |first=Katie |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Turning Bad Blood with Mogul Scooter Braun Into A Revolution for Female Artists |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/taylor-swift-turning-bad-blood-with-mogul-scooter-braun-into-a-revolution-for-female-artists-40289373.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514035201/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/taylor-swift-turning-bad-blood-with-mogul-scooter-braun-into-a-revolution-for-female-artists-40289373.html |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=May 13, 2021 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph}}{{Cite magazine |last=Bulmer |first=Eloise |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Fearless: How Difficult Is Taylor Swift's Re-Recording Mission? |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/fearless-how-difficult-is-taylor-swifts-re-recording-mission |url-status=live |magazine=Clash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407140716/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/fearless-how-difficult-is-taylor-swifts-re-recording-mission |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021}} They considered the Taylor's Version branding an effective strategy in mobilizing Swift's fans to consume the re-recorded album over the original. Writing for The Sydney Morning Herald, Giselle Au Nhien-Nguyen opined that the Taylor's Version projects not only allowed Swift to gain ownership of her music but also gave her fans a chance to reflect on her artistic evolution.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/taylor-swift-s-re-recorded-fearless-gives-old-favourites-a-new-life-20210409-p57hx9.html|title=Taylor Swift's Re-Recorded Fearless Gives Old Favourites A New Life|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|last=Nhien-Nguyen|first=Giselle Au|date=April 9, 2021|access-date=August 15, 2023|archive-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629161111/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/taylor-swift-s-re-recorded-fearless-gives-old-favourites-a-new-life-20210409-p57hx9.html|url-status=live}} Willman wrote that Swift's highly publicized move to reclaim her masters, starting with Fearless (Taylor's Version), would inspire other artists to "further deputize or weaponize fans in their own business disputes". Marie Claire{{'s}} Kate Dwyer also appreciated it for "divorcing [Swift's] music from the sexist media narrative that followed her during her adolescence", which allowed Swift to control her narrative by "inviting listeners and critics to engage with the same songs today without as much gender bias".{{Cite web |last=Dwyer |first=Kate |date=April 14, 2021 |title=Why Fearless (Taylor's Version) Hits Different in 2021 |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a36111298/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-2021-essay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111737/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a36111298/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version-2021-essay/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |website=Marie Claire}}

There were minor criticisms including one from the Los Angeles Times' Mikael Wood, who downplayed the re-recording as an act of "bare-knuckled capitalism".{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=April 9, 2021 |title=A Principled Stand, A Bonanza for Swifties and A Shrug from Us: Taylor Swift's Made-Over Fearless |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-04-08/taylor-swift-fearless-re-recording-review |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409040519/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-04-08/taylor-swift-fearless-re-recording-review |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |accessdate=April 9, 2021 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} NME{{'s}} Mark Beaumont said the updated production might alienate some listeners who enjoyed the original album when it was first released, but he remarked that Swift's story and cause behind her re-recording endeavors made it "the right thing" to embrace the Taylor's Version releases.{{Cite magazine |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's New Fearless Is A Success, But Beware the Dangers of the Re-Record |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/taylor-swifts-fearless-beware-of-the-rerecord-2919076 |access-date=August 28, 2023 |magazine=NME |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914035816/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/blogs/nme-blogs/taylor-swifts-fearless-beware-of-the-rerecord-2919076 |url-status=live }}

{{Track listing

| headline = Fearless (Taylor's Version) track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| extra20 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| total_length = 106:20

| title1 = Fearless

| writer1 = {{hlist|Taylor Swift|Liz Rose|Hillary Lindsey}}

| length1 = 4:01

| extra1 = {{hlist|Swift|Christopher Rowe}}

| title2 = Fifteen

| writer2 = Swift

| length2 = 4:54

| extra2 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title3 = Love Story

| writer3 = Swift

| length3 = 3:55

| extra3 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title4 = Hey Stephen

| writer4 = Swift

| length4 = 4:14

| extra4 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title5 = White Horse

| writer5 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| length5 = 3:54

| extra5 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title6 = You Belong with Me

| writer6 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| length6 = 3:51

| extra6 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title7 = Breathe

| note7 = featuring Colbie Caillat

| writer7 = {{hlist|Swift|Caillat}}

| length7 = 4:23

| extra7 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title8 = Tell Me Why

| writer8 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| length8 = 3:20

| extra8 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title9 = You're Not Sorry

| writer9 = Swift

| length9 = 4:21

| extra9 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title10 = The Way I Loved You

| writer10 = {{hlist|Swift|John Rich}}

| length10 = 4:03

| extra10 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title11 = Forever & Always

| writer11 = Swift

| length11 = 3:45

| extra11 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title12 = The Best Day

| writer12 = Swift

| length12 = 4:05

| extra12 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title13 = Change

| writer13 = Swift

| length13 = 4:39

| extra13 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title14 = Jump Then Fall

| writer14 = Swift

| length14 = 3:57

| extra14 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title15 = Untouchable

| writer15 = {{hlist|Cary Barlowe|Nathan Barlowe|Tommy Lee James|Swift}}

| length15 = 5:12

| extra15 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title16 = Forever & Always

| note16 = Piano Version

| writer16 = Swift

| length16 = 4:27

| extra16 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title17 = Come In with the Rain

| writer17 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| length17 = 3:57

| extra17 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title18 = Superstar

| writer18 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| length18 = 4:23

| extra18 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title19 = The Other Side of the Door

| writer19 = Swift

| length19 = 3:58

| extra19 = {{hlist|Swift|Rowe}}

| title20 = Today Was a Fairytale

| writer20 = Swift

| length20 = 4:01

| title21 = You All Over Me

| note21 = featuring Maren Morris

| writer21 = {{hlist|Swift|Scooter Carusoe}}

| extra21 = {{hlist|Swift|Aaron Dessner}}

| length21 = 3:40

| title22 = Mr. Perfectly Fine

| writer22 = Swift

| extra22 = {{hlist|Swift|Jack Antonoff}}

| length22 = 4:37

| title23 = We Were Happy

| writer23 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| extra23 = {{hlist|Swift|Dessner}}

| length23 = 4:04

| title24 = That's When

| note24 = featuring Keith Urban

| writer24 = {{hlist|Swift|Brad Warren|Brett Warren}}

| extra24 = {{hlist|Swift|Antonoff}}

| length24 = 3:09

| title25 = Don't You

| writer25 = {{hlist|Swift|James}}

| extra25 = {{hlist|Swift|Antonoff}}

| length25 = 3:28

| title26 = Bye Bye Baby

| extra26 = {{hlist|Swift|Antonoff}}

| writer26 = {{hlist|Swift|Rose}}

| length26 = 4:02

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Physical edition bonus track

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 109:51

| title27 = Love Story

| note27 = Elvira remix

| writer27 = Swift

| extra27 = {{hlist|Elvira Anderfjärd|Rowe{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length27 = 3:31

}}

Notes

• {{ref|a|[a]}} signifies vocal producer
• On the physical releases, tracks 1–20 and 27 are subtitled "Taylor's Version" and tracks 21–26 are subtitled "From the Vault".
• On digital and streaming platforms, all tracks are subtitled "Taylor's Version" and tracks 21–26 are additionally subtitled "From the Vault".
• The CD packaging contains 2 discs, one including tracks 1–13 and the other 14–27.

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Fearless (Taylor's Version).

{{div col}}

• Taylor Swift – lead vocals, songwriting, production (all tracks), background vocals (11, 14–16, 27)
• Mike Meadows – 12-string acoustic guitar (1), acoustic guitar (1–3, 5–8, 10–15, 17–19), background vocals (1, 3–5, 9–11, 17–19), Hammond B3 (1, 4), mandolin (1–3, 6–8, 15, 18–20), banjo (3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 19, 20), finger clicking (4), piano (7, 10), electric guitar (9, 10), synthesizer (13, 16), synthesizer programming (13, 16), dobro (19)
• Caitlin Evanson – background vocals (1–4, 6, 8, 13)
• Paul Sidoti – background vocals (1, 3, 8, 11), electric guitar (1–3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17–20), piano (5, 9, 10, 16), acoustic guitar (7)
• Amos Heller – bass (1–15, 17–20)
• Matt Billingslea – drums (1–15, 17–20), finger clicking (4), drum programming (6, 11, 14), electronic percussion (19, 20)
• Max Bernstein – electric guitar (1–3, 7, 9–11, 13, 14, 18, 19), vibraphone (4), steel guitar (6, 8, 17), synthesizer (15, 16, 18, 20), synthesizer programming (15, 16, 20), banjo (20), glockenspiel (20)
• Jonathan Yudkin – fiddle (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14), cello (2), strings (5, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17)
• Christopher Rowe – production (1–20), background vocals (2, 8, 10, 17, 20), vocal production (27)
• Liz Rose – songwriting (1, 5, 6, 8, 17, 18, 23, 26)
• Hillary Lindsey – songwriting (1)
• Dan Burns – drum programming (6, 11, 14), synthesizer programming (13, 15, 16, 20), electronic percussion (19, 20)
• Colbie Caillat – vocals, songwriting (7)
• Brian Pruitt – drum programming (8)
• John Rich – songwriting (10)
• Cary Barlowe – songwriting (15)
• Nathan Barlowe – songwriting (15)
• Tommy Lee James – songwriting (15, 25)
• Aaron Dessner – production, acoustic guitar, bass, drum programming, electric guitar, keyboards, percussion, synthesizer (21, 23), piano (21)
• Eric Slick – drums (21, 23)
• Josh Kaufman – electric guitar, harmonica (21), acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar (23)
• Maren Morris – vocals (21)
• Scooter Carusoe – songwriting (21)
• Jack Antonoff – production (22, 24–26), acoustic guitar (22, 24), background vocals (22, 25), bass (22, 24, 26), electric guitar (22, 24–26), percussion (22, 24, 26), keyboards (22, 25), programming (22, 25, 26), synthesizer (22), drums (24, 25), synthesizer programming (25), piano (26)
• Sean Hutchinson – drums (22, 24, 26)
• Mikey Freedom Hart – electric guitar (22, 24–26), pedal steel (22, 24), 12-string acoustic guitar (22), bass (24, 25), celesta (24), drums (24), Hammond B3 (24), keyboards (24, 25), piano (24, 26), percussion (25, 26), Rhodes (25), Wurlitzer organ (26)
• Michael Riddleberger – percussion (22, 24, 26)
• Evan Smith – saxophone (22, 24, 26), flute (24–26), percussion, electric guitar, synthesizer programming (25)
• Keith Urban – background vocals, electric guitar (23), 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals (24)
• Clarice Jensen – cello (23)
• Brad Warren – songwriting (24)
• Brett Warren – songwriting (24)
• Bobby Hawk – violin (25, 26)
• Elvira Anderfjärd – production, remixing, background vocals, bass, drums, keyboards, programming (27)

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• Taylor Swift – executive producer
• Randy Merrill – mastering (all tracks)
• Serban Ghenea – mixing (1–20, 22, 24–27)
• John Hanes – engineering (1–20, 22, 24–27)
• Christopher Rowe – vocal engineering (1, 6–26), recording engineering (2, 3)
• David Payne – recording engineering (1–20)
• Sam Holland – vocal engineering (3–5, 27)
• Bella Blasko – engineering, recording engineering (21, 23)
• Aaron Dessner – engineering, recording engineering (21, 23)
• Jonathan Low – mixing, engineering (21, 23)
• Julian Burg – vocal engineering (21)
• Greg Kurstin – vocal engineering (21)
• Jack Antonoff – recording engineering (22, 24–26)
• Laura Sisk – recording engineering (22, 24–26)
• Nick Rowse – vocal engineering (23, 24)
• Jon Gautier – recording engineering (25, 26)
• Mike Williams – recording engineering (25, 26)
• Elvira Anderfjärd – recording engineering (27)
• Lowell Reynolds – additional engineering, assistant recording engineering (1, 4–20)
• Derek Garten – additional engineering (1, 4–20)
• Sean Badum – assistant recording engineering (3)
• John Rooney – assistant recording engineering (24–26)
• Jon Sher – assistant recording engineering (24–26)

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Fearless (Taylor's Version)}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|award=Platinum|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=January 22, 2024|refname="ARIA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=February 28, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|award=Gold|id=13711|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=October 13, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|relyear=2021|certyear=2023|access-date=July 31, 2023|refname="SNEP"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|relyear=2021|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|artist=Taylor Swift|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|source=radioscope|certyear=2024|access-date=2024-01-08}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=March 20, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|award=Gold|id=taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date=November 12, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Taylor Swift|title=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2021|id=17620-1598-2|certyear=2022|access-date=September 23, 2022|refname="BPI"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes|noshipments=yes|streaming=true}}

• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2021
• List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2020s
• List of number-one albums of 2021 (Australia)
• List of number-one albums of 2021 (Canada)
• List of number-one albums of 2021 (Ireland)
• List of number-one albums from the 2020s (New Zealand)
• List of number-one albums of 2021 (Scotland)

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Perone |first=James E. |title=The Words and Music of Taylor Swift |publisher=ABC-Clio |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4408-5294-7 |series=The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection}}
• {{cite book |last=Spencer |first=Liv |title=Taylor Swift: Every Day Is a Fairytale – The Unofficial Story |publisher=ECW Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-55022-931-8}}
• {{Cite book |last=Zaleski |first=Annie |author-link=Annie Zaleski |title=Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs |publisher=Thunder Bay Press |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-6672-0845-9 |pages=27–52 |chapter=The Fearless Era}}

• {{Discogs master|master=2071156|name=Fearless (Taylor's Version)|type=album}}

{{Taylor Swift}}

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Category:2021 albums

Category:Albums produced by Taylor Swift

Category:Albums produced by Aaron Dessner

Category:Albums produced by Jack Antonoff

Category:Country albums by American artists

Category:Country pop albums

Category:Republic Records albums

Category:Taylor Swift albums

Category:Albums produced by Chris Rowe

Category:Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios

Category:Re-recorded albums