In my last article I talked about Taylor Swift’s new album Midnights. Since then, Swift broke records, including being the only artist on the Billboard Top 100. She also announced her Eras Tour, where she will travel around the country singing songs from each of her albums. Swift has not toured since the Reputation tour, so fans were excited to get presale codes. Just today, she announced she would add 17 more dates to her tour, as a way to prepare for the overwhelming numbers of people who will want tickets (including me, who waited hours in the queue to get a presale code).
Because of this tour announcement, it got me thinking: what are my favorite tracks off of each album? This question even made it into my group chat where everyone would list their picks. This week, I didn’t know what to write about (writers block is extremely real) and then it hit me: I should share my picks with the world! So, here are my favorite tracks off of each album and why I love them so much.
Taylor Swift/Debut
My favorite track: Should’ve Said No
“Should’ve Said No” is by far my favorite track on her first album. I say this because it talks about a guy who wants a second chance after he cheated on Swift. To me, I find it really relatable, as I have been in situations where a guy played with my feelings and then tried to come back. It’s a song that really gets the blood flowing. Also, my very first concert was the Taylor Swift “Fearless” Tour in 2010. “Should’ve Said No” was the last song she sang and as a 10 almost 11 year old, it was the first out of body experience I have ever had.
Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
My favorite track: You Belong With Me
This is probably not only my favorite track on this album, but one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs of all time. I remember watching this music video on the CMT countdown in my living room as a kid and dancing and singing as loud as I could. Arguably, that music video is what inspired me to join marching band in high school. Also, when I was a kid, my dad and I had the genius idea where he would play guitar and I would sing “You Belong With Me” and we would record it and put it on YouTube. Yes, for anyone wondering, the video is still up, but no, I am not going to link it. But, this was a really huge bonding moment for me and my dad and we even still sing together sometimes.
Speak Now
My favorite track: Enchanted
For me, it was extremely hard to pick a favorite off of this album because this is probably my favorite album of hers. I love that she wrote every song herself, her mind is just extremely powerful. But, after careful examination, I have decided that “Enchanted” is my favorite song off of this album. It’s such an upbeat and cute love song that just sounds so good to me. It makes me want to walk through a garden and hold hands with someone I love.
Red (Taylor’s Version)
My favorite track: All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Before Red TV was released, “All Too Well” was definitely my favorite track off of the album. I love that she is able to reminisce on an old relationship that ended badly and made her sad. When it was announced that there would be a ten minute version released, I was excited but also kind of nervous about what would be added. I was a little afraid it wouldn’t fit but I was so wrong. The new additions to the song made it 1000 times better. The first time I heard “I’ll get older but your lovers stay my age” I wanted to cry and throw up. This song is phenomenal and now I hope we can get a ten minute “Dear John” on Speak Now TV.
1989
My favorite track: Clean
This song is about picking up the pieces of your life after the end of a relationship. It is about feeling as if you won’t be able to ever move on, you’ll never be able to get “clean” from the person. But, you pick yourself up and each day it gets easier. You think about them less and less until you don’t think about them at all and even if you do, you remember how they made you feel and it helps you stay away from the person. Right now, I’ve been going through a similar situation of trying to keep my distance from a person who hurt me and this song has helped me get through it.
Reputation
My favorite track: Getaway Car
“Getaway Car” is SUCH a great song (sorry Tom Hiddleston). Sometimes, you accidentally flirt your way into a relationship and didn’t mean to. Not saying it’s right, but sometimes relationships aren’t always what we expect and we need to leave them just as quickly as we enter them. When she sang this at her Reputation tour, I lost my mind. I can only hope she will sing it again during Eras. Reputation is also my second favorite album, so this was also a hard pick.
Lover
My favorite track: Cruel Summer
I’m not gonna lie Swifties, Lover is my least favorite album (sorry y’all). I’m very happy that Taylor Swift is in a happy and healthy relationship, but I can’t really relate to a lot of the music on this album and to me, I have a hard time listening to music that I can’t relate to. But, I still have a favorite track and it is “Cruel Summer.” I wish this song would’ve been a single on the album and gotten a music video. It’s so fun and reminds me of summer, of course.
folklore
My favorite track: cardigan
This is probably a basic answer but I don’t care. Right now, “Cardigan” is the most relatable Taylor Swift song I’ve ever heard. I have been exactly where the character “Betty” has been. I know how it feels to be with someone and then they leave you for someone else, just to end up crawling back to you because they miss you. It’s about someone making you feel special when you feel invisible. It is heartbreaking and real and I love it so much. This was also a hard choice for me because I love just about every song on this album. I almost didn’t want to pick a favorite for this album because of how much I love it.
evermore
My favorite track: right where you left me
Yes, I know, this is a bonus track. However, it can still be my favorite. When someone goes through something traumatic, it feels like the world has moved on. However, for that person, they are still reliving that trauma every day. I know exactly how that feels and it feels as if you’ll never be able to move on.
Midnights
My favorite track: Anti-Hero
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me. To the people who have wanted Swift to write a song about how “she’s the problem” congrats, you all finally got your wish! This song is incredibly real and talks about how sometimes you are the problem. While you should always strive to work towards being your best self, sometimes we can’t help but feel bad about our behavior. The most important thing is we wake up every day and try our best.
So what do you think? Are any of my favorites your favorites? Are you just as excited for the Eras Tour as I am? May the odds be in our favor when it comes to getting presale codes and tickets!