In honor of evermore Month (the month Taylor Swift released the “Dropped Your Hand While Dancing” and “Forever Is the Sweetest Con” chapters of her two most recent albums at the time where she compiled the songs that carried a similar plot into one playlist - obviously), here is my take on her best songs out of each of her ten albums album. Disclaimer: This list of mine does change every 30-45 seconds, so if you have any comments or concerns, it won’t be difficult to get me to see your perspective.
Taylor Swift (Debut) –
“Tim McGraw”: The first song on Swift’s first album. It’s one of her truest Country Era songs, and her young voice in comparison to some of her more recent songs is just so nostalgic to listen to. If you consider yourself a newer Taylor Swift fan, the one song I recommend from her oldest album is definitely this one.
Fearless –
“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”: It’s the namesake song for a reason. To me, Taylor Swift’s Fearless is not really about the absence of fear. Rather, it’s about being apprehensive towards new experiences and living your life in spite of the fear. This meaning is portrayed through Swift’s heartwarming lyrics that tell a story about embracing a new relationship despite being disappointed by the past.
Speak Now –
“Back to December”: This song is an apology to a former lover of Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner. The lyrics portray regret on Swift’s part as she recounts her relationship and what she could have done differently. However, despite the heartbreak behind the lyrics, the song remains enticing and piques its listeners interest at every new verse.
Red –
“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)”: Arguably one of Taylor Swift’s most well known and successful songs, All Too Well’s inspiration is rather heartbreaking. The song recounts her unsuccessful and tragic relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, and only Taylor Swift could make me feel heartbreak even if I’ve never experienced it. And it was in my Top 5 Spotify Wrapped for 2022, so. . .
1989 –
“I Wish You Would”: The bridge. Taylor Swift explores the dichotomy that is a toxic love through putting blame on both parties in the situation and contradicting herself at every statement. The lyricism runs deeper than one would expect by the pop vibes of the song - and album itself - but Swift is an expert at voicing her emotions in a way that keeps her listeners interested throughout the song.
Reputation –
“Don’t Blame Me”: Number 7 in my Spotify Wrapped! The message is true to the vibe of Reputation for sure, but more than that, the music is enriching and shakes you to your core at every new line.
Lover –
“Cruel Summer”: As we’ve established, Taylor Swift can write the most basic song ever, and still have the world brainwashed by her hypnotic lyrics and the same three chords. As one of her most popular songs off Lover - thanks to TikTok mostly - “Cruel Summer” knows how to get you in your feelings while keeping an upbeat tune and marking top 20 on billboard charts.
folklore –
“illicit affairs”: A blatant shift in tone from her previous album, Taylor Swift released folklore and evermore during COVID. Both albums are about fictional characters and storylines - a concept Swift has never tried before. This song is definitely on the list to provide more depressing options for those who enjoy feeling devastated. But even as someone who self-identifies as an explicitly Happy Song Enjoyer, this song is too alluring to rank as anything less than the best.
evermore –
“closure”: Still a bit depressing as is the true nature of the quarantine era, but now focusing on the independence that comes from leaving a relationship rather than the loss. Nicknamed the ‘pots and pans song,’ “closure” is definitely more on the funky side with its background music of exactly what you would expect: pots and pans. If the deep symbolism and metaphor in the lyrics aren’t enticing enough, the background noises are enough to put this song in my top 100 for 2022.
Midnights –
“Mastermind”: Listening to this song is like watching a mystery unravel. Every new verse provides us with more context to the complex mind that is Taylor Swift's and, no spoilers!, but the outro truly gets me everytime as we see everything fall into place and conclude the journey this song takes us on.
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