NEW YORK — Rocker Ryan Adams said covering Taylor Swift’s entire “1989” album was “incredibly humbling” and helped him explore himself more deeply as a musician.

Adams’ version of “1989” was digitally released Monday. Swift released the original album – her first full-blown pop record – last October.

Ryan Adams says he is “incredibly humbled” by finding a connection to Taylor Swift’s “1989” album, which he re-recorded and released Monday. The Associated Press

“It’s actually incredibly humbling to find a connection with someone else’s words and someone else’s songs and to open yourself up and to feel them fully, and find out where those stories take you,” Adams, 40, said in an interview last week. “It felt no less genuine than any song I’ve ever written for myself.”

So far, Swift’s fifth album has sold 5.2 million units and launched multiple hits, including chart-toppers like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space” and “Bad Blood.” Adams’ interpretation of “1989” offers a slowed-down take on her upbeat anthems.

“I got to work different parts of my brain, different parts of my heart and different parts of the musical aspects of my personality,” Adams said of covering Swift’s music. “It’s really its own thing. … It’s not the same record.”

After completing his version, the singer-songwriter-producer played it for 25-year-old Swift before taking it any further. He name-dropped Bob Mould as one his favorite musicians, but added in the same breath: “But then I also love all those songs on (Swift’s) ‘Fearless’ (album). I don’t really have a place where my music begins and ends.”

Adams said he has known Swift for about four years and counts himself as a fan.

Adams released his debut album, “Heartbreaker,” in 2000. His 2014 self-titled record, his 14th studio release, earned him two Grammy nominations earlier this year, including best rock album.

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