Taylor Swift: "Speak Now"

After much anticipation, Taylor Swift released her third studio album on October 25, 2010. The record, appropriately titled "Speak Now," has created quite a buzz. Swift is now being heard louder than ever.

"Speak Now" sold more than one million albums during its first week, accounting for 18% of all albums sold. That percentage share surpassed 'N Sync's "No Strings Attached" as the fastest selling album of all time. (Read the article here.)

Yesterday Swift snagged BMI's Songwriter of the Year, the youngest artist ever to do so.

Taylor Swift has taken her songwriting talent to another level with "Speak Now," proving that she is here to stay. Swift once wrote about characters like Drew and Abigail, but now that her subjects are a little more famous, a slew of theories about Swift's personal life have sparked since the release of "Speak Now."

"Back To December" is reportedly about Swift's relationship with her Valentine's Day co-star and Twilight heartthrob, Taylor Lautner. It is also the first song in which Swift seems to be on the dumper side full of remorse and apologies.

"Dear John" is rumored to be about John Mayer. Swift and Mayer collaborated on Mayer's newest album, "Battle Studies" back in 2009. This track is the most scandalous and revealing track on the album. There are many theories floating around, but one thing is certain: Swift felt used by "John." Listen to it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. ("The Story Of Us" is also assumed to be about Mayer.)

"Better Than Revenge" is supposedly written about Camilla Belle, the girl who came between Swift and ex-beau Joe Jonas. Swift holds nothing back in her strong, bold lyrics. (That's why we love her, right?)

On a happier note, Swift wrote "Long Live" as a tribute to her band and all that they've been through together during the past several years.

Tracklisting:
1. Mine
2. Sparks Fly
3. Back To December
4. Speak Now
5. Dear John
6. Mean
7. The Story Of Us
8. Never Grow Up
9. Enchanted
10. Better Than Revenge
11. Innocent
12. Haunted
13. Last Kiss
14. Long Live

The Target Deluxe Edition features a second disc with six bonus tracks:
1. Ours
2. If This Was A Movie
3. Superman
4. Back To December (Acoustic)
5. Haunted (Acoustic)
6. Mine (POP Mix)

I have not stopped listening to "Speak Now" since I bought it. I think I memorized every word in less than one week. My favorite tracks are "Mean" and "Better Than Revenge." (What can I say? I like the angsty ones.)

Taylor Swift may not be the best singer, but she is an incredible songwriter who isn't afraid to let us in on some secrets. She's bold, beautiful, and a wonderful role model for young girls today.

"Speak Now" is the must-have album of 2010.