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Big Machine

Taylor Swift Buys Back Original Masters and Owns Her First Six Albums

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Yes. On May 30, 2025, Taylor Swift bought the original master recordings of her first six albums from Shamrock Capital. The deal returned control of the original recordings to Swift and also included music videos, concert films, album artwork, photography and unreleased songs. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Swift told fans, “All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me.” In practical terms, she now controls the original recordings that launched her career, while four of those albums also exist in her separately owned Taylor’s Version recordings.

Which Taylor Swift albums are included?

The buyback covers the six albums originally released through Big Machine between 2006 and 2017:

Album Original release year Current recording status
Taylor Swift 2006 Original master returned to Swift; Taylor’s Version not released
Fearless 2008 Original master returned to Swift; Fearless (Taylor’s Version) released in 2021
Speak Now 2010 Original master returned to Swift; Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) released in 2023
Red 2012 Original master returned to Swift; Red (Taylor’s Version) released in 2021
1989 2014 Original master returned to Swift; 1989 (Taylor’s Version) released in 2023
Reputation 2017 Original master returned to Swift; Taylor’s Version not released

“Masters” means the original studio recordings used to make and distribute a song. Owning them gives Swift control over licensing those recordings for uses such as films, television, advertising and other commercial projects.

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The Life of a Showgirl[Sweat & Vanilla Perfume Orange Glitter Vinyl]
  • Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, will be released worldwide October 3, 2025

How Swift’s masters moved from Big Machine to Swift

  1. Big Machine released the original albums. Swift’s first six albums came out through the label.
  2. Scooter Braun bought Big Machine in 2019. That transaction brought control of the early catalog, including the original masters, under Braun’s ownership.
  3. Shamrock Capital acquired the masters in 2020. The recordings later moved from Braun’s ownership to the investment firm.
  4. Swift bought them from Shamrock in 2025. The transaction reunited her with the original recordings and related visual and archival material.

Swift said she had not been given an opportunity to buy the masters when they were previously sold. Her 2025 transaction therefore ended the ownership chain that had taken the recordings from Big Machine to Braun and then Shamrock.

Why the Taylor’s Version recordings mattered

Before the buyback, Swift’s main way to gain recording ownership was to make new masters herself. Those re-recordings gave her versions she controlled and reduced the commercial leverage of the originals.

By the time she purchased the originals, four Taylor’s Version albums had been released:

  • Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
  • Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
  • Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (2023)
  • 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (2023)

The Associated Press reported that all four debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Each project also added previously unreleased “From the Vault” songs, giving fans new material alongside the re-recorded albums.

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Fearless Platinum Edition[2 LP]
  • 2 LP 180g Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket

Original masters versus Taylor’s Version

Question Original recordings Taylor’s Version recordings
Who owns the masters? Swift, after the 2025 purchase from Shamrock Capital Swift, because she commissioned and released the new recordings
Which performances are heard? The original album performances recorded for Big Machine New performances recorded for the re-recording projects
When were they released? 2006–2017, depending on the album 2021–2023 for the four released projects
Are there Vault tracks? Not part of the original standard album releases Selected unreleased songs were issued as “From the Vault” tracks
Which version sounds better? The available evidence does not establish a universal sonic winner; listeners may prefer different performances, mixes or production choices.

The two versions are separate recordings. Buying the originals does not erase the Taylor’s Version albums, and releasing Taylor’s Version did not transfer ownership of the old masters. Swift now owns both sets for the albums that have been re-recorded.

What is happening with Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) and Reputation (Taylor’s Version)?

Neither album’s Taylor’s Version had been released when Swift announced the buyback.

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1989 (Taylor's Version)[2 LP]
  • The 1989 album changed my life in countless ways, and it fills me with such excitement to announce that my version of it will be out October 27th

Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version)

Swift said she had completely re-recorded her self-titled debut and that she “really love[d] how it sounds now.” She did not announce a release date.

Reputation (Taylor’s Version)

Swift said she had not “even rerecorded a quarter” of Reputation. She indicated that both projects could “still have their moments to reemerge when the time is right,” leaving their schedules open.

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No release date for either album should be treated as confirmed without a newer official announcement.

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What Swift owns now—and what the announcement does not establish

  • Established: Swift owns the original masters for her first six albums and the additional assets included in the transaction.
  • Established: She owns the four Taylor’s Version master recordings already released.
  • Not disclosed: The purchase price.
  • Not confirmed: Release dates for Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) or Reputation (Taylor’s Version).

The announcement is about ownership of recorded-music masters and related catalog assets. It does not by itself provide a new breakdown of every separate copyright interest involved in songwriting, publishing or other rights.

Where fans can find the re-recorded albums

Fearless (Taylor’s Version) has been listed as a physical music product by Amazon, and Swift’s official store has listed vinyl and CD editions. Availability, formats and sellers can change, so a listing should be checked directly before purchase.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
1989 [2 LP]
1989 [2 LP]
$24.99
SaleBestseller No. 3
Fearless Platinum Edition[2 LP]
Fearless Platinum Edition[2 LP]
2 LP 180g Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket
$24.99
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
Red[2 LP]
Red[2 LP]
$24.97

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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