Craig Lucas Celebrates Pop Magic with New Single “1989”

South African singer-songwriter Craig Lucas is paying tribute to pop music with his latest single “1989,” a playful and heartfelt nod to one of pop’s greatest storytellers, Taylor Swift.

The song began as an ambitious experiment. Craig set out to write a single track that included every one of Taylor Swift’s album titles, including lengthy ones like The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology and The Life of a Show Girl. What started as a fun challenge quickly became one of the most creative and rewarding projects of his career.

“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 says.

The inspiration for “1989” struck while Craig was listening to Taylor’s album folklore. What began as a joke evolved into a meaningful songwriting experiment. Sitting at his piano, he explored ways to fit all the album titles into a single cohesive story. “At first, it felt impossible, but once I started writing, it just flowed. It became one of the catchiest songs I have ever written,” he explains.

A short demo clip played on radio went viral, amassing over 100,000 views and generating excitement online. “When I saw that reaction, I knew I was on to something special and that I had to finish the song properly,” Craig recalls.

Despite containing every Taylor Swift album title, “1989” tells a standalone story. It explores falling for someone you probably should not, getting swept up in the thrill, and choosing to live in the moment despite potential consequences. “It is about that intoxicating feeling of falling for a bad boy and knowing it might end badly but doing it anyway. It is about choosing excitement over safety and just letting yourself feel everything,” Craig says.

Musically, “1989” blends energetic pop production with nostalgic power ballad elements. Piano melodies, driving beats, and soaring vocals create a cinematic yet radio-ready sound. “There is a sense of urgency in the production that matches the story. It makes you want to dance, but it also makes you feel something,” Craig explains.

The single was produced by Jono Greyling, who has collaborated with Craig on several previous hits. It was mixed by Jacques du Plessis and mastered by Rogan Kelsey, two of South Africa’s top audio engineers.

“1989” marks Craig’s return to the pop sound that first drew audiences to his music. While his recent EP explored punk and alternative influences, this single reflects renewed focus and confidence. “I feel like I have come full circle. Pop music is my home. Writing good pop songs is not as simple as people think. It takes skill to make something that sounds effortless and connects with people instantly. I love the challenge of that,” he says.

Craig emphasizes pop music as a powerful form of expression. “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.”

With “1989,” Craig Lucas celebrates Taylor Swift’s storytelling while asserting his own voice. The single is both a tribute for Swifties and a vibrant, emotional pop anthem that stands on its own. “This song is for all the Swifties. 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,” he says.