By Sarah Reitz
For those of you who have had their head under a rock for the past couple months, Taylor Swift dropped a new album called Reputation last Friday. While it is very different from her previous albums, (sorry those of you who are stuck on 2006 Taylor, but she’s dead) it still has the same artistry that makes Taylor, Taylor. It is seriously lyrically genius. It may be a different feel, but it’s still quality.
1. …Ready For It?
Truthfully, this is one of my least favorite songs on the album. I love this album though, so it’s like the worst of the best. That being said, I still have a strong respect for this song. It has a very I’m ready to take on the world, so don’t mess with me attitude. I freaking love the little clearing of the throat at the beginning of the song. It has a very powerful beat and is overall a very strong song.
Best Lyric: Knew he was a killer first time that I saw him/Wonder how many girls he had loved and left haunted
2. End Game (feat. Ed Sheeran & Future)
To me, anything with Ed Sheeran in it is perfection. And Future’s rap fits the song perfectly. The mixture of Ed, Future, and Taylor makes this song a slam dunk. I love the refrain of this song, it definitely showcases the new Taylor. In this song, she owns who she is and the reputation that people have been giving her.
Best Lyric: Reputation precedes me, they told you I’m crazy/I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me.
3. I Did Something Bad
This song is a straight banger. I wish she would have released this one as a single. Its EXTREMELY fierce. This song is the quality I was hoping for from this album. I am definitely digging the “I don’t give a damn” vibe. I want to see this performed in concert so bad, I can picture the strutting and the hair flips now.
Best Lyric: I can feel the flames on my skin/Crimson red paint on my lips/If a man talks shit then I owe him nothing/ I don’t regret it one bit, ‘cause he had it coming
4. Don’t Blame Me
THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG. It consistently gets stuck in my head. I feel like it shows the newer, more mature side of Taylor. Anyone who says Taylor can’t sing needs to listen to this song. At the end of the bridge, she literally sings a phenomenal note. This song makes me want dance to it on repeat. This song is badass, and I feel badass listening to it.
Best Lyric:Don’t blame me, your love made me crazy/If it doesn’t, you ain’t doin’ it right
5. Delicate
This song is a super chill bop. The mixture of the lyrics and the beat and the autotune makes this song unique. This song reminds me so much of 1989, but at the same time it is the exact opposite and I really don’t know how she accomplished that. Once again, the lyrics are perfection. I can picture the relationship between Taylor and this guy. I can see the unsureness of the new relationship. This song has me thriving.
Best Lyric: Is it cool that I said all that?/Is it chill that your in my head?/ ‘Cause I know that it’s delicate.
6. Look What You Made Me Do
When Tay dropped this song, I literally had a conniption. In the Reputation album as a whole, it’s not my absolute fav. But this song has a permanent place in my heart because I really needed new Taylor Swift music in my life when this song came out. Listening to this song, I really feel like the snake symbol for this album fits. I can picture Taylor as a snake thrashing out at her enemies to get revenge. Yeah, it’s dark, but what do you expect after the year she had. It was the perfect first release to preface Reputation.
Best Lyric:The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama/But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma
7. So it Goes…
Lyrically, this song might be one of my favorites. The lyrics really remind me of Red for some reason. It totally encapsulates the vibe of Reputation. This song definitely shows off her more mature side. This song is scandalous for a typical Taylor song, but honestly, I’M LOVING IT. Her imagery in this song is super cool too. I can actually picture the things she is singing about.
Best Lyric: See you in the dark/All eyes on you, my magician/All eyes on us/You make everyone disappear
8. Gorgeous
I loved this single. It’s very 1989-esque, but with a definite Reputation twist. I think I like this song so much because I relate to it so much. Like everybody gets nervous around attractive crushes, it’s a common feeling. She literally verbalizes my feelings sometimes. AHH and she mentions her cats which just makes it all the much better!
Best lyric: There’s nothing I hate more than what I can’t have/Guess I’ll just stumble on home to my cats/Alone, unless you wanna come along
9. Getaway Car
When first listening to the entire album, this song stuck out to me. It really reminds me of Out of the Woods, just the entire feel. I think a music video to this song would be super interesting. There is no doubt that this is a Taylor song. The lyrics are clever and the beat is catchy. I love how genuinely and artistically she expresses her emotions and feelings in this song. You will definitely find me listening to this song on repeat.
Best Lyric: He was the best of times, the worst of crimes/I struck a match and blew your mind/But I didn’t mean it/And you didn’t see it/The ties were black, the lies were white/The shades of grey in candlelight
10. King of My Heart
Tbh, when I think of Reputation I often forget this song. Listening to it though, I enjoy it. I really like the snaps throughout the song. Also love how she says jag-u-arrrs. Lyrically this song is AMAZING. I have no idea how she even comes up with some of this stuff. I love the message of the song. Yeah, she gotten screwed over by love before, but falling in love is still worth it and is still incredible.
Best Lyric:Your love is a secret I’m hoping, dreaming, dying to keep/Change my priorities/The taste of your lips is my idea of luxury
11. Dancing With Our Hands Tied
I really dig this song. Once again, the lyric game is strong. This song has a freaking dope beat too. The beat is different for the refrain and the chorus, which makes it unique. I can for sure see myself jamming to this song for a long time. I feel like this song could be a poem if it was written on paper. It is so visual and descriptive.
Best Lyric: And darling, you had turned my bed into a sacred oasis
12. Dress
This song is probably the most scandalous of her songs. But even so, it’s still classy and is in no way trashy or even slightly hoe-ish. This song definitely shows the older, life experienced Taylor. I am dying to know who inspired this song. I’ve read that this song has Sweeran vibes which I can totally see (and totally ship btw). This is an A+ song for me.
Best Lyric: Inescapable, I’m not even going to try/And if I get burned, at least we were electrified/ I’m spilling wine in the bathtub/ You kiss my face and we’re both drunk
13. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
OMFG. This song cracks me up. It’s so witty. This is the PERFECT “screw you” song. I love the shadiness in the lyrics. I love how this song is basically her giving the finger to her enemies, but even so she still mentions how much she appreciates her friends and her mom. AND THE LAUGH. The first time I heard this song, I died. Yes Taylor, just yes.
Best Lyric: ‘Cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do/ Haha I can’t even say it with a straight face
14. Call It What You Want
I feel like this song is not going to get the recognition it deserves. The chorus is actually my fav part of the song. I appreciate that she released this song as a single because it reassured her fans that she handled her issues and she’s doing just fine. This song is super chill and mellow. Sonically, it isn’t overwhelming, which is nice after the heavy sound effects in most of the other songs. I love this song because I love happy Taylor.
Best Lyric: I want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck/Chain round my neck/Not because he owns me/But ’cause he really knows me
15. New Year’s Day
This is the perfect ending song. It’s very different than the other songs on the album, but it’s not too different that it doesn’t fit with the album. Listening to the lyrics, it’s a beautiful love song. Taylor has a way with verbalizing love and describing it in ways I’m not used to. It’s really the only ballad on the album. Of course, I would have loved a few more ballads, but I just grateful she gave us this one. Stunning imagery, gentle piano, and real vocals make this song a smash.
Best Lyric: I’ll be there if you’re the toast of the town babe/Or if you strike out and you’re crawling home