Breaking Down Taylor Swift’s Fearless Rerecording: Who Are the New Songs About?

Taylor Swift dropped her highly anticipated Fearless rerecording on Friday, April 9, and fans are pumped. “Fearless was an album full of magic and curiosity, the bliss and devastation of youth,” the singer wrote on Instagram. “It was the diary of the adventures and explorations of a teenage girl who was learning tiny lessons with every new crack in the facade of the fairytale ending she’d been shown in the movies.”

This rerelease is exciting, obviously, and interesting. Because we've heard these songs before, there's not much to dissect and analyze, like new Taylor Swift albums of the past. That being said, Fearless (Taylor's Version) does have six new songs. And stans, naturally, are decoding them down to the last letter. 

Below, check out the dominant theories about these from-the-vault gems. 

“You All Over Me” (featuring Maren Morris)

What’s it about: Swift has physically moved on from a relationship, but the emotional residue still lingers. “Swore that I'd get out of here / But no amount of freedom gets you clean / I've still got you all over me,” she sings. 

Who fans think it’s about: Joe Jonas. 

The evidence: For one, Jonas and Swift dated in 2008, around the time this song was born. Plus, fans see similarities between “You All Over Me" and “Last Kiss,” a Speak Now favorite that's allegedly Jonas-inspired. 

“Mr. Perfectly Fine”

What’s it about: A cheeky, country banger in which Swift takes an ex to task. He's apparently emerged from their relationship unscathed (or, wait for it, perfectly fine), but Swift is not. “Hello, Mr. Perfectly Fine. How's your heart after breaking mine?” she sings. 

Who fans think it’s about: Joe Jonas. 

The evidence: Again, the timing adds up, and Jonas's wife, Sophie Turner, acknowledged the song on social media. That can't be a coincidence…right? Whatever, this drama is from 10-plus years ago; it's basically fiction. 

“We Were Happy”

What’s it about: In this heartbreaking ballad, Swift looks back on a past relationship and reminisces about what could have been. “When it was good, baby, it was good, baby / We showed ’em all up / No one could touch the way we laughed in the dark / Talking ’bout your daddy's farm we were going to buy someday / And we were happy,” she sings. Fun fact: Keith Urban sings harmony on the song—a sentimental nod, as Swift was his opening act during the Fearless era. 

Who fans think it’s about: Unclear. So far there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on who Swift might be singing about—but all signs point to a young love, maybe even her first. 

The evidence: “Talking ’bout your daddy's farm we were going to buy someday” implies Swift is singing about an ex with country roots, which rules out the New Jersey–raised Joe Jonas. 

“That’s When” (featuring Keith Urban)

What’s it about: Swift duets with Urban on this midtempo track, which describes the aftermath of a breakup told in both perspectives. Swift sings as an individual who asks for space, then regrets the decision. Urban sings as the partner deciding whether to take her back or not. 

Who fans think it’s about: Unlike “Mr. Perfectly Fine” and “You All Over Me,” there doesn't seem to be any one person who directly inspired this song. If there is, the Swifties haven't discussed it in depth yet. 

The evidence: “You said, ‘I know’ / When I said, ‘I need some time, need some space / To think about all of this’ / You watched me go,” Swift sings at the beginning of the song. The rest of the lyrics are equally as romantic and evocative—but lacking in the types of Easter eggs and intense detail that have become Swift's signature. If anything, this song is an interesting look at how she's evolved as a songwriter. 

“Don’t You”

What’s it about: Another heartbreaking ballad about a love that's ended. In this one Swift runs into an ex and remembers the pain the breakup caused her. “Don't you smile at me and ask me how I've been / Don't you say you've missed me if you don't want me again,” she sings.

Who fans think it’s about: I hope Joe Jonas turned off his notifications for the next…100 years, because it sure feels like this is another song inspired by their relationship. 

The evidence: As we mentioned above, it's all about the timing. The Fearless era was all about Swift moving on and reclaiming power after Jonas broke up with her in that infamous 25-second phone call. Much like “Mr. Perfectly Fine” (another song about Jonas), “Don't You” sees Swift marveling that her ex is able to move on so quickly while she takes time to mend her broken heart. 

“Bye Bye Baby”

What’s it about: You can probably guess from the title. Here Swift is letting go of a relationship she thought would have lasted longer. “I want you back but it's come down to nothing / And all I have is your sympathy / ’Cause you took me home but you just couldn't keep me / Bye bye baby,” she sings.

Who fans think it’s about: Again, there doesn't seem to be a consensus on this. Besides, there's a more interesting theory circulating about “Bye Bye Baby”: Fans think it may have been left off the original Fearless because it felt too similar in tone to Michelle Branch's “Goodbye to You.”  

The evidence: “Guess it's better to say / Goodbye to you / Goodbye to you,” Branch sings in her version. Almost sounds like it could be a Swift lyric, no? “Bye bye to everything I thought was on my side/Bye bye baby.” 

Originally Appeared on Glamour