Sing Along With Swift: Xmas (Taylor's Version) Quiz

Answer: Christmas Tree Farm

Taylor Swift wrote and recorded this delightfully cosy and upbeat festive tune over the course of a few days in the beginning of December 2019 and it was released as a stand alone single very shortly after that. It became a modest hit in several countries.

The song's video features clips from home videos depicting scenes of Swift's childhood growing up on a real Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania with her parents and brother.

Answer: All Too Well (10 Minute Version)

After Swift's previous record label, Big Machine, apparently sold the rights to her first six albums without her consent, Taylor has embarked on an ambitious project to re-record and thereby reclaim all of the music she recorded with her former label. 'Red (Taylor's Version)' was the second album Swift re-recorded. The original album was released in 2012 and the new version came out in 2021. 'Red (Taylor's Version)' comprises thirty tracks in all, twenty new recordings of the original tracks from the deluxe edition of 'Red', three re-recorded stand alone singles, six brand new 'from the vault' tracks and, of course, the ten minute, unabridged version of 'All Too well'.

'All Too Well' had long been a favourite amongst fans of Swift, or Swifties as we are usually known, and there was much excitement when it was announced that a ten minute version, featuring all the lyrics which had been cut from the much shorter edit which appeared on the original version of 'Red', would be recorded for the new album. As well as replacing all the song's original lyrics, Swift and co-producer Jack Antonoff gave it a new more atmospheric pop rock sound. The record was a huge commercial hit all over the world on its release and became the longest song to top the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

Answer: Christmas Must be Something More

'The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection' (originally called 'Sounds Of The Season') was released as a Target exclusive in the US in 2007 and through other retailers the following year. It features two original Christmas tracks written by Taylor Swift as well as four covers of favourite festive songs.

It performed modestly in the US charts on its release but has gone on to achieve a platinum certification in the USA.

Answer: Snow On The Beach

'Midnights' was released in 2022 to widespread commercial and critical acclaim, breaking numerous sales and streaming records in the process and spawning several international hit singles. 'Snow On The Beach' is a collaboration with American singer Lana Del Rey.

While the song was praised by fans and critics alike, many were disappointed by how minimally Lana Del Rey's vocals were utilised on the song. In response Swift released a new version of 'Snow On The Beach', featuring more Lana Del Rey, on the 'Til Dawn' edition of 'Midnights' released in 2023.

The song became a top ten hit in several countries and earned Lana Del Rey her highest charting single in the USA.

Answer: Lover

'Lover' was released in 2019 and became Swift's sixth album to go straight to Number One in the US Billboard album charts as well as becoming the globally best-selling studio album of 2019. 'Lover' was the first album Swift released after leaving her old label Big Machine Records. It has a more optimistic sound than her previous album, 2017's 'Reputation' and also produced the hit singles 'The Man' and 'You Need To Calm Down'.

Swift was unable to tour 'Lover' or the two albums which followed it due to the global Covid 19 pandemic. However, when it came to touring her 2022 album 'Midnights' Swift instead chose to embark on an ambitious worldwide tour which would feature a set well over three hours long comprising selections of songs from most of her albums to date. This tour, entitled 'Eras', broke box office records all over the world even before it was finished. During many live shows it became clear that Swifties were particularly keen on the track 'Cruel Summer' from 'Lover' and, due to fan demand, Swift released the song as a single in 2023 when it became a huge hit all over the world, reaching number one in the US and spending most of the year in the top ten of the UK singles chart.

Answer: Is It Over Now?

Taylor Swift released the re-recorded version of '1989' in 2023 and it became an instant worldwide smash hit. It comprised new versions of the original sixteen tracks from the deluxe edition of the album, the remix of 'Bad Blood' featuring Kendrick Lemar and six unreleased 'From The Vault' tracks. '1989' is my joint favourite Taylor Swift album so I was extremely excited to hear the tracks that had been left off the original edition and the results were even better than I could have hoped. The six new tracks are all incredible and it is a testament to the quality of '1989' that these wonderful songs weren't included on the original.

'Is It Over Now?' became one of the three 'From The Vault' tracks which all reached the UK singles chart in the same week, with 'Is It Over Now?' taking the top spot and giving Taylor only her third UK number one single.

Answer: Christmases When You Were Mine

'Christmases When You Were Mine' is one of the two original tracks from 'The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection'. The EP is an early release for Taylor who had only released her debut album the previous year. Consequently the songs are much more country pop influenced than her later work would be. Swift had already begun to lean much more towards pop sounds and production on 2012's 'Red' and 2014's '1989' saw her break more or less completely with her country roots in favour of a pure pop sound.

Answer: 'tis the damn season

'evermore' was the second album released by Taylor Swift in 2020. It apparently came about in extended studio sessions after she and her co-writer, Aaron Dessner, had finished work on their first collaboration, the earlier 2020 album 'folklore'. 'evermore' and 'folklore' are considered to be companion pieces, both recorded during the Covid 19 pandemic and both sharing a similar aesthetic. Both have been described as 'cottagecore' and both were highly praised by critics and fans alike for their lyrical and musical complexity. 'evermore' features guest appearances from Haim, The National and Bon Iver.

Answer: Back To December

'Speak Now' was originally released in 2010 with 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)' being released in 2023. The album was entirely written by Swift and it became a huge commercial success on its initial release. 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)' broke yet more records for Swift dominating albums charts all over the world and seeing all of the tracks from the album reach the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 'Back To December' was the second single to be released from 'Speak Now' in the US where it became a modest hit.

Answer: New Year's Day

'Reputation' was released in 2017. Swift worked mainly with producers Jack Antonoff, Max Martin and Shellback to make the album. Although Taylor Swift did not embark on the same extensive promotional campaign that she had done for her previous album, '1989', 'Reputation' nonetheless became a best-selling album worldwide with the accompanying tour breaking North American box office records.

Critics were somewhat divided about 'Reputation' on its release though many have subsequently favourably revised their opinions. I adore 'Reputation', it is my joint favourite Taylor Swift album along with '1989' and I never cease to be impressed by how daring and experimental 'Reputation' still sounds. 'New Year's Day' was released as the fourth single from 'Reputation' in the US.