“1989” began as a songwriting experiment that Craig Lucas initially thought might be impossible to pull off. The idea was simple but outrageous: write a single song that included every one of Taylor Swift’s album titles, including the longest ones such as The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology and The Life of a Show Girl.
What started as a fun challenge quickly evolved into one of the most creative and rewarding songs Craig has ever written.
“Everyone who knows me knows I am a massive Swiftie,” Craig shares. He has long admired Taylor’s ability to write songs that are fearless, honest, and emotionally open. Her talent for balancing deeply poetic lyrics with catchy, feel-good pop inspires him. He especially appreciates her gift for detail – names, colours, locations, specific times – which fuels the kind of storytelling he loves.
The idea for “1989” came unexpectedly while Craig was listening to his favourite Taylor Swift album, folklore. What began as a joke quickly turned into something meaningful. At his piano, he began experimenting with ways to weave all the album titles into a single cohesive story. “At first, it felt impossible,” he admits. “But once I started writing, it just flowed. It became one of the catchiest songs I have ever written.”
Early in the writing process, Craig played a short demo clip on radio. The snippet went viral online, reaching over 100,000 views and sparking excitement from listeners. “When I saw that reaction, I knew I was on to something special and that I had to finish the song properly,” he says.
Even though the lyrics include every Taylor Swift album title, Craig made sure the song works as a standalone narrative and not just a list of clever references. It tells a story many listeners recognise: falling for someone you probably should not fall for, getting swept up in the chaos and thrill of it, and choosing to live in the moment.
“It is about that intoxicating feeling of falling for a bad boy and knowing it might end badly but doing it anyway,” Craig Lucas explains. “It is about choosing excitement over safety and just letting yourself feel everything.”
Musically, “1989” mixes power ballad emotion with upbeat pop energy. Heartfelt piano melodies, driving beats, and soaring vocals come together to create a sound that feels both cinematic and completely radio-ready. “There is a sense of urgency in the production that matches the story,” Craig says. “It makes you want to dance, but it also makes you feel something.”
The track was produced by Jono Greyling, who has collaborated with Craig on several fan-favourite songs including “Love You for the Last Time,” “High,” “Drunk and Horny,” “Cool on the Internet,” and “Yours.” The song was mixed by Jacques du Plessis and mastered by Rogan Kelsey, two of South Africa’s top audio engineers.
This is a Confident Return to Craig Lucas’ Pop Roots
With “1989,” Craig Lucas returns to the sound that first made listeners fall in love with his music: big, emotional, hook-filled pop. His previous EP saw him exploring punk rock and alternative influences, but this new single reflects a renewed focus and confidence.
“I feel like I have come full circle,” Craig says. “I love experimenting with different genres, but pop music is my home. Writing good pop songs is not as simple as people think. It takes real skill to make something that feels effortless and connects instantly.”
Craig believes pop music is often underestimated. “Pop music gets dismissed as less meaningful, but to me, it is one of the purest forms of expression. A great pop song can make you feel joy, sadness, nostalgia, and excitement all at once. It can unite people. That is what I wanted to capture with this song.”
“1989” serves as Craig’s tribute to Taylor Swift’s storytelling while still affirming his own artistic voice. It is a song Swifties will immediately recognise as a celebration of Taylor’s legacy, but it stands strong on its own as a vibrant, emotional pop anthem.
“This song is for all the Swifties,” Craig says. “But even if you have never heard a Taylor Swift song in your life, I think you will still connect to it. It is fun, it is emotional, and it feels alive.”
You can stream/download “1989” HERE.
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