Selling out stadiums since her Fearless tour in 2010, the Queen of Pop, Taylor Swift, has an undeniable talent. Although predominantly known in the media for catchy tunes such as “Shake It Off” and “Picture to Burn,” die-hard fans filling those stadiums know better. By sticking with her as she redefined herself multiple times through five album releases, fans have come to cherish her earlier soft country songs, her singer/songwriter ballads, and her most recent pop album. Behind her radio singles lie countless works of lyrical genius. Narrowing them down was tough.
1. “Should’ve Said No”
“I can’t resist Before you go, tell me this: Was it worth it? Was she worth this?”
This is one of the most country-sounding songs in the Swift archives. Also, it’s a glimmer of her sassier side among the many sweet and vulnerable ballads from her early song writing years.
2. “I’m Only Me When I’m With You”
“And sometimes we don’t say a thing; just listen to the crickets sing. Everything I need is right here by my side.”
It’s an essential best friend anthem, classic for blasting in the car with your closest friends and screaming this declaration of true love.
3. “Fearless”
“But you’re just so cool Run your hands through your hair Absent-mindedly makin’ me want you And I don’t know how it gets better than this You take my hand and drag me head first Fearless”
This is, perhaps, one the greatest love songs of our time. Her depiction of being “fearlessly” in love is so vivid that even the most assuredly single find themselves believing that they are hopelessly in love too.
4. “They Way I Loved You”
“And you were wild and crazy Just so frustrating intoxicating Complicated, got away by some mistake and now…”
This song is the epitome of how Swift describes her own love life. She has been quoted multiple times, stating that there is no perfect love, as the perfect love drives you crazy.
5. “Forever and Always”
“So here’s to everything Coming down to nothing Here’s to silence That cuts me to the core”
This song is perfect for when everything goes from great to terrible for no clear reason.
6. “The Other Side of The Door”
“With your face and the beautiful eyes And the conversation with the little white lies And the faded picture of a beautiful night You carry me from your car up the stairs And I broke down crying, was she worth this mess? After everything and that little black dress After everything I must confess, I need you”
In a sea of beautifully written bridges, this one definitely stands out. The end of the song suddenly picks up and then quickly cuts-off, leaving you wanting more.
7. “Sparks Fly”
“I’m captivated by you, baby, like a firework show.”
This song describes being totally and completely enchanted by whoever your with. You can actually see sparks as Taylor describes how wonderstruck she is each time she is with this guy.
8. “Haunted”
“You and I walk a fragile line I have known it all this time But I never thought I’d live to see it break”
This is a song about the type of relationship that never leaves your mind, even once it’s over.
9. “Long Live”
“If you have children some day When they point to the pictures Please tell them my name Tell them how the crowds went wild Tell them how I hope they shine”
“Nope I can’t do it,” I say as I skip over this song. One of her most sentimental songs, Swift wrote this song for the crew of her world tour. Listeners get chills as they think of memories that were made with their closest friends.
10. “Red”
“Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes Tell myself it’s time now, gotta let go But moving on from him is impossible When I still see it all in my head”
“Red” is a colorful depiction of the impossible task of moving on. The debut of the “Red” album marked Swift’s move away from country and toward a more pop sound.
11. “Holy Ground”
“Spinning like a girl in a brand new dress, We had this big wide city all to ourselves. We blocked the noise with the sound of ‘I need you’, And for the first time I had something to lose”
One of the happier songs on “Red,” this upbeat track reminds us of what happens before the tragic break-up.
12. “All Too Well”
“Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much, But maybe this thing was a masterpiece ’til you tore it all up.”
“All Too Well” is in the running for the most lyrically beautiful song in Swift’s collection. It’s filled with beautiful images of a lost relationship, along with numerous incredibly built motifs such as the “crumpled up piece of paper.”
13. “Style”
“And when we go crashing down, we come back every time”
The release of “1989” marked Taylor Swift’s conscious move to the pop genre. “Style” emulates this move with its fun beat and catchy melody.
14. “You Are In Love”
“One night he wakes, strange look on his face Pauses, then says, you’re my best friend And you knew what it was, he is in love”
This bonus track captures what true love really is and how you know when you’ve found it. You simply hear it in those non-awkward silences and the peaceful drives home.
15. “New Romantics”
“The best people in life are free”
Another bonus track, “New Romantics” embodies the artist’s switch in outlook on relationships as she has matured. “1989” as a whole shows a more liberated side of being in love, different from the hopeless sadness of her previous albums (which we still love, regardless).
Swift’s songs are made of more than what just meets the ear. In delving into the lyrics, listeners begin to realize the poetry of each track. The magic behind Swift’s captivating music is her ability to evoke emotions in listeners that make each song relate directly to their lives. This list will definitely keep going as Taylor Swift continues to share her stories with us.