Taylor Swift performs on 'GMA,' talks re-recording Big Machine songs

By Jem Aswad

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - Taylor Swift performed on ABC's "Good Morning America" as part of the run-up to the release of her new album "Lover." The singer played three songs, but she also provided more details about her plan to re-record songs from her past albums.

"Something that's very special to me about this album is it's the first one that I will own," she said about "Lover." Asked by Robin Roberts about re-recording her older material, Swift said, ""Yeah that's true and it's something I'm very excited about. My contract says starting from November 2020 I can start re-recording albums 1-5. I think artists deserve to own their own work. It's next year, I'm gonna be busy."

"I think it's important for artists to own their work," she added.

It was also revealed that she will be performing to open the VMAs.

News of Swift's plans to re-record her earlier material broke yesterday as a preview of her interview on CBS This Morning. "Absolutely," she said, when asked whether she planned to do so.

Swift was chagrined earlier this year when the rights to her earlier albums were acquired by her nemesis, Justin Bieber manager Scooter Braun, as part of his acquisition of Swift's previous label, Big Machine Records. She called the purchase "my worst-case scenario."

Following the interview, Swift performed "You Need to Calm Down" and "Me!" from the new album, before concluding with "Shake It Off."

Swift will also perform on YouTube today and SIriusXM tomorrow.