Taylor Swift has done it again—breaking her own records with the recent re-release of 1989. The original album was released in 2014 and broke sales records by debuting with 1 million units sold. Now, Swift has broken that record again with 1989 (Taylor’s Version). She has also made history with the biggest first-week sales for a re-recorded album.
1989 (Taylor’s Version) slots in as Swift’s sixth No. 1 album to debut with over 1 million sales in its release week. In its first week, it sold 3.5 million copies worldwide, including 1.6 million in the U.S. It topped the Billboard 200, Top Album Sales, Top Vinyl, and Top Streaming Albums.
Remarkably, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) surpassed the first-week sales of the original 1989 release back in 2014. All of Swift’s re-released albums have become more popular, reinforcing her pop culture stature. Swift is thrilled that 13 of her albums have topped the Billboard 200. This is Taylor’s universe, and we’re living in it!
Between her original releases and re-records, Swift has amassed a vast collection of awards and accolades. Her recent Eras Tour and concert film have also catapulted her into the “Billionaire’s Club” with Rihanna, Beyoncé, and others.
Critics are raving about Swift’s success and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in particular. Will Hodgkinson of The Times called it “a masterclass in mainstream songwriting. This is the album that turned Taylor Swift into the biggest singer of modern times. Nine years after it was first released, you can see why.”
Rachel Aoresti for The Guardian added, “It’s over for the doubters; you just can’t argue with Taylor Swift anymore. You can’t argue with her immaculately devout and mind-bogglingly populous nature. You can’t argue with her songcraft: masterfully generic in a sonic sense and startlingly distinctive in a lyrical one. You can’t argue with her positive impact on the lives of her devotees.”
Truly, this is the era of the Swifties. Taylor’s success continues to grow exponentially, fueling her fanbase for millennia to come. What’s next for the record-breaking star? A new leg of the Eras Tour seems definite. A reputation re-release? Possibly. Fans will have to wait and see what history-making move Swift announces next! But one thing is for sure: she will continue breaking records and solidifying her status as a pop icon.
Image: Instagram/taylorswift
