Taylor Swift Debuts ‘Love Story’ — Her First Re-Recorded Song— For A Match Ad Written By Ryan Reynolds

Topline

Taylor Swift has released a “sneak peak” of one her hotly anticipated re-recorded tracks, “Love Story,” in a Match ad written by actor Ryan Reynolds, the first tangible insight into Swift’s mission to regain control over her material after music mogul Scooter Braun controversially acquired, and later sold, the rights to her first six albums, which she described at the time as her “worst case scenario.”

Key Facts

Key Background

In a highly publicized move, Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Swift’s work by buying her former record label, Big Machine — which owns the rights to her first six albums — in 2019 for roughly the same price as he later sold Swift’s catalogue to Shamrock Holdings. Swift vehemently opposed the acquisition, and accused Braun of “bullying” and attempting to “dismantle” her “musical legacy.” Swift has been trying to re-acquire the rights to her music ever since, but said that Braun’s team would not even enter negotiations unless she signed “an ironclad NDA stating I would never say another word” about Braun “unless it was positive.”” Unable to acquire the music herself, Swift has vowed to re-record it in its entirety, acknowledging that this would unfortunately devalue Shamrock’s investment. 

Tangent

In September, and in the midst of his own fight with record label Universal Music Group, Kanye West pledged on Twitter that he would help Swift get her masters back in what appeared to be an olive branch in the two artists’ tense relationship.

Big Number

$365 million. That’s how much Forbes estimates Swift’s net worth to be. The star was ranked number 62 on this year’s list of America’s Self-Made Women.

Further Reading

Taylor Swift To Re-Record Songs After Music Catalogue Is Sold To Private Equity Fund For $300 Million (Forbes)

Report: Taylor Swift Suggests She Didn’t Try To Buy Masters (Forbes)

Kanye West Wants To Help Taylor Swift Get Her Masters Back (Forbes)

Here’s Why Taylor Swift Hates Scooter Braun So Much (Forbes)

Taylor Swift Debuts Re-Record of ‘Love Story’ for Ryan Reynolds’ Match Ad (Variety)