Day 11: TTeeaarrddrrooppss OOnn MMyy GGuuiittaarr

I mentioned in an earlier blog post that one of the only songs I liked in Taylor Swift's self-titled first album is Teardrops on My Guitar. Ever since then countless readers have asked me the same question. Which version of the song was I talking about? It's a good question! You would probably assume I'm talking about the original, but the thing is that there isn't strictly speaking an original version. The first to appear on the album is called Teardrops on My Guitar (Radio Single Remix), and could descried more aptly as the one that's "more country". The other main contender is Teardrops on My Guitar (Pop Version). So which is it?

It's notable that both of these songs appear on the main version of the album. It's not unprecedented for Taylor to include alternate versions of her songs on her albums, but usually these are included in the special versions that contain various other extras as well.

One may argue that since the radio single remix version should be considered the default since it appears first on the album. Maybe they added the pop version as an afterthought, just tacking it onto the end? Or maybe it's supposed to be the grand finale, foreshadowing Taylor's future career as a pop icon? Who's to say???

Maybe we can get some clarity by looking at the music video. It uses the radio single remix (the country one). Does this suggest that it's the canon version? It certainly helps it's case, but I wouldn't say it's definitive. While we're here, can I just say what a blessing this music video is? "Drew" is such a tool it's hilarious, and I especially love the early 2000's look he has going on.

Rock on Drew. I love the ring.

One of the things that endlessly confuses me is that the country version is called a "remix" while the other is called the "pop version". I consulted with industry experts and they said that a song being a remix by definition implies that it isn't the original. So what the hell? I am very confused.

As for which I like more, I really can't say. For most of the song I would say I prefer the country version, but Taylor's hooks are so well suited for pop music that I can't resist that version. I wish I could give a more concrete answer, but sometimes the scientific process raises more questions than it answers.

See you tomorrow,

-C