Craig Lucas Releases ‘1989’ – South African singer-songwriter Craig Lucas is celebrating the magic of pop music with his new single “1989.” A playful and heartfelt tribute to one of pop’s greatest storytellers, Taylor Swift.
“1989” began as a songwriting experiment that Craig thought might be impossible to pull off. The idea was simple but outrageous. To write a single song that contained every one of Taylor Swift’s album titles. This includes 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. I have always admired Taylor’s ability to write songs that are fearless, honest, and emotionally open. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Taylor has this rare talent for being able to write both deeply poetic lyrics and also fun, catchy pop songs. Those that just make you feel good. I love the way she writes with so much detail. Mentioning names, colours, specific places, and times. That level of storytelling really inspires me.” ~ Craig Lucas
The inspiration behind ‘1989’
The idea for “1989” came to Craig one day while listening to his favourite Taylor Swift album, folklore. What began as a joke quickly turned into something much more meaningful. Sitting at his piano, he began experimenting with ways to fit all the album titles into a single song that would still tell a 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 clip of the demo 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.
1989 – The Story
Although the lyrics include every Taylor Swift album title, Craig made sure the song worked as a standalone story. Not just a list of references. The song tells a story many listeners can relate to: falling for someone you probably should not fall for, getting swept up in the thrill and chaos of it, and deciding to live in the moment without worrying about the consequences. “It is about that intoxicating feeling of falling for a bad boy and knowing it might end badly but doing it anyway,” Craig explains. “It is about choosing excitement over safety and just letting yourself feel everything.”
1989 – The Music
Musically, “1989” is an energetic and nostalgic blend of power ballad emotion and upbeat pop production. The song combines heartfelt piano melodies, driving beats, and soaring vocals to create something that feels both cinematic and 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 single was produced by Jono Greyling, who has collaborated with Craig on several fan-favourite tracks 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 most respected audio engineers.
With “1989,” Craig Lucas returns to the sound that first made audiences fall in love with his music: big, heartfelt, hook-filled pop. While his previous EP saw him exploring new sonic territory and experimenting with punk rock and alternative influences, “1989” represents a renewed sense of 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 a lot of skill to make something that sounds effortless and connects with people instantly. I love the challenge of that.”
He continues, “Pop music often 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” is Craig’s way of paying homage to Taylor Swift’s storytelling while still asserting his own voice and perspective as an artist. It is a song that Swifties will instantly recognize as a celebration of Taylor’s legacy, but it also stands 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.”
Stream ‘1989’ from Craig Lucas here
