Tribute band Wildest Dreams pick fave Taylor Swift songs

Tonight, Halifax's will be treated to the third Taylor Swift Tribute Night with 10-piece band Wildest Dreams and special guest vocalists. It's possible after tonight that they will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever be getting back together. So just in case, you better bundle yourself up and head to The Marquee (2037 Gottingen Street, 10pm, $10) to sing your heart out. Until tonight, fire up that Youtube and warm up with the members of Wildest Dreams' favourite Tay songs: 



Julia Weir (piano/vocals) : “State of Grace” (from Red)
This is my current favourite T-Swift song. I really like the simplicity of the chord progression and how it uses melody to build up to something magical. It reminds me of a Taylor Swift version of LCD Soundsystem. 

Chantal Caissie (vocals) : “New Romantics” (from 1989)
It’s just such a fun song and encapsulates everything I love about pop music—catchy melodies with fun lyrics about being young that you can sing scream along to in a car with your friends. Plus, my best friends and I went to see T-Swift in Boston last year and my pal Adam made a great montage video of the trip to this song so it makes me smile every time I hear it.

Jay Methot (guitar) : “Style” (from 1989)
I love how the song goes through different moods, from the melancholy minor tones of the verse to the super pop chorus, and yet that guitar riff never changes. It just carries the whole song. Plus, its a lot of fun to play.

Trevor Murphy (guitar/vox) : “I Almost Do” (from Red)

Tay Tay has a certain way way with words and stories that can pack a powerful punch straight to the ol’ heart. She has this ability to capture tiny moments in time with simplicity and honesty. My favourite Swift songs are the slow jams, often because of these very reasons–these intimate slices of life that can somehow make you feel like you’re fifteen again. “I Almost Do” is so personal, but also universal.

Jeff Pineau (synth) : “I Know Places” (from 1989)
The musical elements in this song are just so Taylor Swift. At the end of the first verse she sings, “They are the hunters, we are the foxes…and we run,” where all the music drops out and just concentrates on the “and we run” vocal. And then the chorus hits! Holy moly. The spookiness and urgency of the lyrics in verses gives chase into a soaring chorus. You couldn’t ask for a better bridge. And then the song ends with classic Taylor Swift—bringing back all the elements we've heard in parts through out the song into one huge overlapping part. The delivery of the lyric, “Loose lips sink ships all the damn time,” gives me goose bumps every damn time.

Nicole Ariana (vocals): “White Horse” (from Fearless)
"White Horse" is my fav T. Swift song because it's real and sad, somewhat uplifting in the bridge and reminds me of driving to high school in grade 12 with my best friend and probably feeling emo, which remains true to this day. #FEELS



Anthony Phillips (bass): “Out of the Woods” (from 1989)

“Out of the Woods” is one of the best ‘drive and think’ songs. It’s over the top and understated at the the same time, blasting you with 80s arena rock drums just to haul it back in with an almost conversational verse. The last chorus is too infectious.

Dana Beeler (vocals): “Picture To Burn” (from Taylor Swift)
I love this song for all the reasons I love T-Swift. I would sing it in my bedroom literally dancing around when my parents weren't home, yelling the line, "Burn Burn, Burn Baby Burn.” I love an anti-heartbreak anthem.

Ryan Perry (drums): “Out of the Woods” (from 1989)
This is my favourite tune to play. It marks my first time diving into live drum sampling so it makes it a challenge, and I really enjoy that.

Natalie Lynn (vocals): “Red” (from Red)
I spend more time listening to 1989 than I do the Red album, but I can see why “Red” is the title track. It's so catchy. The songwriting behind it definitely caught my attention with the opening line. "Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street." Sold.

Leanne Hoffman (vocals): “Back To December” (from Speak Now)

I am a sucker for a sad song, and this one always gets me. The simple and honest lyrics take a regrettable situation and make it all too relatable.