As we celebrate Taylor Swift’s re-release of Red, we’re thinking back to all of the good, and not-so-good, times where listening to her genius lyrics and melodies hit just right. Here are our favorite Taylor Swift songs for any occasion:
If you need a Taylor Swift song to run, power walk, lift weights, or do any type of work-out to, her reputation tracklist offers the best options. “Ready For It,” “Getaway Car,” “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” and “I Did Something Bad” all have great pump up sounds and fun lyrics that give me so much energy. I feel like I could run a marathon or lift a car when I start working out to these reputation hits!
– Maria Sell ‘23
One thing I miss about being home is being able to scream Taylor Swift songs in the shower (I mean, theoretically I could do that here but I don’t think anyone needs to hear that). Personally, I’m partial to “Wildest Dreams,” “Cruel Summer,” “All Too Well,” and basically all of Speak Now. It’s truly a therapeutic experience that I would invite everyone to give a chance.
– Hannah Grinnell ‘24
My already terrible driving is enhanced by my passionate scream-singing, especially to Taylor’s “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”. I do not have my car at school, so I only drive back home, but something about “driving down the road” in my suburb outside of Seattle where there actually is “a glow off the pavement” after “it’s just rained” really sets the scene for the song. Not to mention, being in my hometown brings back the nostalgic feeling of young love and parking lots, two key elements of the high school experience.
– Kendall Foley ‘24
Summer nights in the car, driving slightly over the speed limit, and listening to Taylor Swift are moments I long for during the cold and gloomy winter season. Personally, I think blasting Taylor Swift in the car fits any mood: happy or sad. During happy occasions, “Cruel Summer,” “Speak Now,” “Don’t Blame Me,” and “Getaway Car,” never seem to fail to brighten the faces of those in the car. On the other hand, screaming “Dear John” and “All Too Well” can release pent up emotions. While I am biased and think that any Taylor Swift song can fit into the queue, these specific songs have bridges that hit different.
– Katie Madow ‘25
While I can’t get myself to choose a single favorite Taylor Swift album, I love how 1989 includes such a wide variety of music styles and emotions. “Shake It Off” is the perfect song for dancing like nobody’s watching you and “Welcome To New York,” “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” and “New Romantics” are amazing songs to jam out to in the car. “Blank Space” and “Wildest Dreams” are really fun to screlt (scream/belt) in the shower and pretend like you are in an overly dramatic rom-com movie. “Bad Blood” is a great song to release all your anger. “This Love” and “Clean” are slower-paced songs to listen to in a calm, emotional mood.
– Davi Schulman ‘25
I love how Taylor Swift has a song for every occasion and feeling. I personally love listening to her albums folklore and evermore on shuffle whenever I am writing an essay. Taylor Swift truly showed her lyrical genius in these two albums and by listening to them while struggling with my writing, I aim to spark some inspiration of my own. I also find the songs of those two albums to be the most relaxing and peaceful, which is the kind of energy I need while stressfully finishing up writing assignments.
– Sarah Hennig ‘24
Taylor Swift has a song for every feeling and every mood, and for that I am eternally grateful! When it’s raining out, I love listening to “I Almost Do,” “Begin Again,” “All Too Well,” and “Exile” – for some reason those songs just scream rain. When it’s sunny, “Treacherous,” “The Other Side Of The Door,” “Style,” and “Cruel Summer” are perfect. When it’s really, really late at night and all the lights are off, “Last Kiss,” “Never Grow Up,” and “‘Tis The Damn Season” are perfect. I just named so many songs and there are still so many more feelings that her songs describe perfectly.
– Lucie Bernheim ‘24