Taylor Swift, Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version) | Music Lifts 🎶 🏋

In the 58^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Taylor Swift performing, “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version).”

Welcome to Music Lifts 🎶 🏋, a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 58^th edition of Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 (2023), we highlight 🎵 “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” as performed by 🎙 Taylor Swift.

“I go on too many dates / But I can’t make them stay / At least that’s what people say, mm-mm / That’s what people say, mm-mm.” True. 🎙 Taylor Swift has been firmly entrenched in the pop culture space since the aughts. It’s amazing that the 🏆 Grammy-winning musician has remained ‘such a big deal’ for so many years – she’s in her 34^th year.  Perhaps more than ever, Swift finds herself having to shake it off.  🎵 “Shake It Off” was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released on the original version of 💿 1989 in 2014. The re-recorded 🎵 “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” from the dominant 💿 1989 (Taylor’s Version) still packs a sizable punch. Even as rerecording a massive pop record (and the entire album) is an arduous task, the messaging of “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” remains tried and true.

Folks have lots to say about Swift and her many relationships, breakups, and such.  However, despite criticism, skepticism, and people being people, Swift isn’t going to let it deter her or break her down.  In the pre-chorus, she says it best: “But I keep cruisin’ / Can’t stop, won’t stop movin.’” Look back between 2014 and 2023.  Has the woman stopped cruisin’? Absolutely not 💪! In the second verse, she shows resolve despite the critics: “I never miss a beat / I’m lightnin’ ⚡️ on my feet 🦶 / And that’s what they don’t see.” Well, given how big Swift is, these days, everybody sees you, Taylor! The biggest moment of the song is undoubtedly the chorus – one of the most sing-along gems of the 2010s:

“‘Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake it off, I shake it off (Ooh)

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake

Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

I shake it off, I shake it off (Ooh).”

MIC 🎤 DROP 💧!  Of course, you can’t mention 🎵 “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” (or the original) without highlighting the tongue-in-cheek interlude and bridge. Also, the production (Swift and 🎛 Christopher Rowe) remains ear-catching, even if it doesn’t supersede the original. More than the sound, however, the big takeaway is don’t let people bring and break you down – shake it off!!!

🎙 Taylor Swift • 💿 1989 (Taylor’s Version) • 🏷 Taylor Swift • 📅 2023

Taylor Swift, Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version): Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 58 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Taylor Swift; Hamid Tajik, Qamar Rehman, vansh mehta, Viridiana Rivera via Pexels]