Can’t Stop Listening: “1989” by Ryan Adams

Something magical happened on my birthday this year. A musical trifecta, in my humble opinion. Ryan Adams released a covers album of Taylor Swift‘s 1989 in the style of The Smiths.

I’ve been a Ryan Adams fan since middle school. I can’t recall how I was introduced to him or exactly when, but I had an (almost unhealthy) obsession with his albums Heartbreaker and Love is Hell until my junior year. Even though I was a bit too young to fully relate to his words, I totally thought I could. Tweenage angst, guys, what more can I say?

I only more recently discovered The Smiths, sometime in early college. I immediately fell in love, and spent a summer listening to nothing but their self-titled and Meat is Murder.

Fast forward a bit and enter Taylor Swift. I have to admit, for several years I cringed at the thought of hearing her voice. I spent a couple of years in college working a retail job where all I’d hear in a four hour shift were her first two albums on a loop. For over a year. It was awful. And to this day, I’m still not the biggest fan of her early work (though, admittedly, I haven’t given anything that came before Red a second chance.)

But when 1989 was released last year (actually, this week is the one year anniversary of its debut!), I was pretty much stopped in my tracks. It was catchy, sophisticated, and a totally different sound. I kind of hid my newfound love for her for awhile, because I’d made my opinion of her known in the past. But it wasn’t long before Jeremy caught me turning up the volume a few notches anytime a new single from the album would be played on the radio. Or dancing in the kitchen to “Shake it Off.” Or clicking on the headlines about her latest appearance – and outfit – in public (because, WHOA did she grow up and start owning that signature look out of nowhere!) And, one gloomy November evening, while I was knocked out sick on the couch, he came home with a copy of the CD for me. I instantly felt better.

There was no turning back. And now I have no shame in admitting my Swiftie status.

So, when I read that Ryan Adams announced he’d be channeling The Smiths to cover 1989 in its entirety, I practically fell out of my seat and cried giant tears of sweet, sweet joy.

He teased fans in the weeks leading up to its release, posting clips and completed songs as he went. When his covers album went live on my birthday, it was the first item on my agenda and Jeremy and I listened to it all day. And quite frankly, I haven’t stopped.

It’s all good – so, so good – but my favorite cover is, no question, “Out of the Woods.” I’d have to say that “Shake it Off” is the weakest track, but that’s okay because he brings a different life and totally different vibe to some of the tracks that didn’t get overplayed.

Ryan and Taylor recently sat down for a discussion about the covers album (which she was just as stoked to hear as I was, maybe more.) Ryan interviews her and finds out a little more about her songwriting process. It’s crazy to see these two artists together like this. I never in my “Wildest Dreams” thought I’d see the day, but I’m so very glad it happened:

Have you given this a listen yet? Have you ever had a major change of heart about a certain artist, or even genre of music? I’d also love to hear what some of your favorite covers projects are – even if it’s just one song – that have caused you to hear something already done in a brand new way.

xo, Aly