Taylor Swift Quietly Changes Lyrics In New Version Of "Better Than Revenge" To Avoid Slut Shaming
“She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress” was the original lyric, but Swift changed it to something else, supposedly reflecting her modern feminist stance.
Taylor Swift's decision to re-record and release her old albums as "Taylor's Versions" was a strategic move in response to a complex rights dispute. The issue began when her original music catalog was sold without her permission, leaving her without the master rights to her first six albums. This meant that Swift did not have complete control over her early music, including how it was used or sold.
In order to regain control of her musical legacy, Swift embarked on a project to re-record these albums, starting with her second album, Fearless, released in April 2021 as Fearless (Taylor's Version). She followed this up with Red (Taylor's Version) in November 2021 and, most recently, Speak Now (Taylor's Version) in July 2023. Each re-recorded album contains the original tracks along with additional content, often including previously unreleased songs from the original recording sessions, known as "From The Vault" tracks.
Swift's intention behind this ambitious project is not just about regaining control over her work, but also to diminish the value of her original recordings which she does not own. By re-recording and releasing her old albums, Swift encourages her fans to listen to these new versions, thereby diverting streams, sales, and revenue away from the original versions owned by others. For Swift, it's also about standing up for artists' rights, asserting control over her own creative output, and sending a message about the importance of artists owning their own work. Despite the legal and business complexities involved, Swift's re-recorded albums have been well-received by fans and critics alike, demonstrating her enduring popularity and influence in the music industry. However, with her latest rereleased album, fans quickly noticed one big difference in the lyrics.
Taylor Swift Quietly Changes Lyrics in New Version of "Better Than Revenge" To Avoid Slut Shaming
Ahead of her much-anticipated Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) release on July 7, Taylor Swift confirmed one of the most speculated-upon changes in her new version. The lyric, “She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress” from "Better Than Revenge" has been altered to “He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches.” This revision reflects Swift's supposedly evolved feminist perspective, demonstrating her commitment to avoid judgment on women's dating lives.
The altered lyric, while rhyming less with the complementary line, "She's an actress," aligns better with Swift's current views on women and dating, seemingly highlighting the fact that Swift doesn't want to slut shame any women for their choices of promiscuity. Despite no official indication from Swift prior to the release, the change was predicted by fans, with social media brimming with posts and debates about the necessity of the reformation.
The lyric's transformation was confirmed as fans received their early copies of Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and shared screenshots of the lyric sheet. Reactions were mixed, with some fans nostalgic for the original version, highlighting the historical value of the song in Swift's journey toward modern feminism. Nonetheless, the expectation of an updated lyric was widespread among fans. Many took to social media to express their sentiments, with memes depicting their attachment to the original verse.
Swift has not directly addressed the change in "Better Than Revenge," nor has she given any interviews regarding the new release. This alteration is not the first of its kind in her work; the singer previously amended a lyric in "Picture To Burn" to avoid potential homophobia. "That's fine, I'll tell mine you're gay" was changed to "That's fine, you won't mind if I say."
Swift's lyric change is in line with a broader trend of artists reevaluating past works for sensitivity. Performers such as Hayley Williams of Paramore, Beyonce, and Lizzo have all revised disputed lines viewed as insensitive. Because no matter how progressive you are, you'll never be progressive enough for the woke crowd, as the rules are ever-changing. One day it's appropriate to use a certain phrase, and the next it's considered bigoted and inappropriate. Swift has always been a proponent of progressive politics, openly supporting abortion on-demand, the #MeToo movement, and President Biden. But even the feminist darling can't escape her own past and must edit her old lyrics in order to continuously fit in with the current wave of intersectionality.
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