/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5fb3b5fffa932ee220288f47/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=3181&cropY1=58&cropY2=2180&w=1200&resize=1200,801&ssl=1 "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.”
Taylor Swift released a clip for her anticipated re-recorded song “Love Story” in a Match ad written … [+]
VCG via Getty Images
Key Facts
In an announcement on Twitter Swift said that while her re-records are “NOT done,” her friend and actor Ryan Reynolds had asked to use a sample of “Love Story” for an ad he had written for the dating site Match.
The song appears to be a faithful reproduction of Swift’s initial track, which was released in 2008 on her second album, Fearless.
The amusing ad features Satan matching with a woman called 2020, with Swift’s re-recorded track playing in the background as the couple frolic around an abandoned city, pose for selfies in front of a literal dumpster fire and watch the world end as flaming projectiles fall to earth.
Swift said she is “working hard” to finish the re-records and to “get the music to you soon.”
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
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)
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