Through every phase of my life—from the lowest lows to the highest highs—Taylor Swift has been there for me. And after years of being a dedicated fan, I’ve memorized almost every song (excluding The Tortured Poet’s Department (TTPD)). Swift’s immeasurable career is a testament to her incredible musical prowess. She has a magical way of making her personal experiences feel universally relatable, and because of that, I decided it was time to honor what I consider her top lyrics of all time. I went through each of her albums to pick out my favorite lyrics—a challenge that turned out to be both harder and easier than I expected.
For my favorite albums, Red, Fearless, and Folklore, my choices were largely based on the songs I’ve been listening to most recently, and the process gave me a nostalgic glimpse of who I was when those albums were first released. For other albums, like TTPD and Midnights, it was more challenging since I’m less familiar with the songs, but I discovered new favorites to add to my playlists!All in all, I got to spend two weeks listening to nothing but Taylor Swift, which means it was an amazing two weeks.
When choosing my favorite lyrics, I based my selections on which words I felt best represented the album as a whole and which lyric I believed was the most well-written.
- Taylor Swift (DEbut)
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“And you come away / with a great little story / of a mess of a dreamer / with the nerve to adore you”Â
– Cold as YouTaylor Swift’s self-titled first album (nicknamed Debut) is beloved by fans for its country twang and relatable high school-themed lyrics. While it’s far from her most popular album, it contains many hidden gems, such as Cold as You. I chose this lyric because it highlights how even in her early work, Taylor demonstrated the lyrical depth and heartbreak that later became hallmarks of her music. This album always takes me back to my own high school days and reminds me of my early loves. Honestly, I’ll probably gatekeep it for the rest of my life.
- Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
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“This is a big world, that was a small town there in my rearview mirror disappearing now”
– White HorseWhite Horse was one of the first Taylor Swift songs I ever fell in love with, and it remains one of my favorites nearly 12 years later. Fearless was the album that propelled Swift beyond the country genre and into the mainstream, as people began to truly recognize her talent. I chose the above lyric to represent the album because it beautifully captures not only her life at the time but also the feeling of leaving behind the familiar for bigger, brighter horizons.
“And all the pages are just slipping through my hands and I’m so scared of how this ends”
– Bye Bye BabyFor albums with re-recordings, I’ve decided to include my favorite vault track lyric (because who would argue against more Taylor Swift?). Not only does Fearless mark Swift’s first step into the pop genre, but it’s also my favorite album for heartbreak songs. So many tracks feel like they were written about my own life, including Bye Bye Baby. The song beautifully captures the process of coming to terms with the end of a relationship, and I love how she describes the “story” of their love slipping out of her hands. The only reason this song isn’t a perfect 10/10 is that we don’t yet have a streamable acoustic version.
- Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
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“So I’ll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep”
– Last KissSpeak Now is what I like to call Swift’s ultimate no-skip album. Every song reminds me of someone—whether it’s an ex, a friend, or a loved one. While Last Kiss was written about one of Swift’s ex-boyfriends, this lyric has always reminded me of my brother. It captures the feeling of going from knowing someone better than anyone else to barely knowing them at all, which is how I felt when my brother moved away for college. It’s a perfect example of how music can mean whatever you want it to—it’s all about interpretation. This album truly has a song for everyone, including those who are just waiting for the next big thing (or the next song).
“Its 8:05 and I see two headlights”
– Electric TouchElectric Touch (ft. Fall Out Boy) is a song about the nervous energy of going on a first date. The track gradually builds as both sides reflect on their past failed relationships while holding onto hope for something new. This lyric marks the climax of the song and embodies the crazy bundle of nerves and excitement that comes with the start of something new. Electric Touch was easily my favorite vault track, and it deserves all the praise for perfectly describing how a first date should feel.
- Red (Taylor’s Version)
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“Before you I only dated self-indulgent takers who took all of their problems out of me, but you carry my groceries and now I’m always laughing”Â
– Stay Stay StayMost people consider Red a breakup album, with iconic songs like All Too Well and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. But in my opinion, the album radiates hope, especially with a song like Stay Stay Stay. While this track might be imagining a perfect relationship that never really existed, for me, it taught me what a healthy relationship should feel like. The upbeat tune is playful and fun, standing in contrast to the painful heartaches described throughout the rest of the album. Stay Stay Stay is the kind of song that instantly brings a smile to your face, which is why I felt it was important to highlight it as part of this album.
 “And my cheeks are growing tired / From turning red and faking smiles / Are we only biding time ’til I lose your attention?“
– Nothing New ft. Pheobe BridgersFor the vault track, I wanted to highlight one of the most relatable songs in Swift’s entire discography: Nothing New. Not only is this song stunning, with the blend of Swift’s and Phoebe Bridgers’ voices, but it also perfectly captures what it’s like to be a woman. I have never felt more seen than in the double standards they describe—how women are expected to be fun yet grounded, and cute yet humble. I don’t listen to this song often (because it makes me cry every time), but it will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s a song I’d definitely include on any playlist about feminine rage—or perhaps more aptly, feminine depression.
- 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
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“Kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats under coats”
– Welcome to New YorkIf Fearless was a toe into the pop genre, then 1989 was a full dive. Swift mentioned that while creating this album, she wanted to make music that people could dance to rather than cry to, which is why I love this lyric. It captures the hope, excitement, and energy of New York City, paralleling the emotions Swift must have felt while making this album. This lyric also reminds me of the realization that every single person has their own full and complex life. We all experience love, hope, fear, and anger—we are all our own kaleidoscope.
“I’m trying to see the cards that you wont show / I’m about to fold unless you say don’t go”Â
– Say Don’t GoThe vault tracks from 1989 are easily my favorite of all the re-recordings. Specifically, Say Don’t Go is the perfect song for navigating a relationship plagued by miscommunication. Not being on the same page as your partner can quickly unravel a relationship, and Say Don’t Go beautifully captures the fear and uncertainty that come with not knowing where you stand. It’s also my go-to sing-in-the-shower song because it’s just so much fun to belt out while no one’s watching.
- Reputation
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“Please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I would recognize anywhere”
– New Year’s DayReputation is a lover-girl album disguised with a Reputation hat. On the surface, it comes across as an angry album from a scorned woman reclaiming her power, but underneath, it’s about falling in love. Whether it’s a doomed relationship (Dancing with Our Hands Tied), a budding romance (Delicate), or finding “the one” (End Game), Reputation captures every phase of a relationship. This lyric, in particular, reflects the hope of holding onto something meaningful. To me, it describes a long-term relationship where you’re wishing for things to keep improving rather than falling apart. The combination of its beautiful meaning and the gentle way it’s sung makes it my favorite moment on the entire album.
- Lover
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“And I cut off my nose just to spite my face then hate my reflection for years and years”
– The ArcherJust as Reputation’s true meaning is hidden beneath the surface, so is Lover’s. While Lover is a hit-or-miss album for me, The Archer will always remain one of my favorite songs of all time. The track feels like Swift’s repentance for mistakes made in past relationships while mourning the pain she’s endured herself. She questions her worthiness and ability to love again. This lyric, in particular, sticks out to me because it’s about pretending to be someone you’re not—cutting off parts of yourself to please people who don’t truly care. It’s a feeling almost everyone can relate to. Whenever I need a good cry, The Archer is one of the first songs I turn to, offering comfort and acceptance, whether I feel like the archer or the prey.
- Folklore
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“You drew stars around my scars but now I’m bleedin”
– CardiganThe songs on folklore emphasize Swift’s strength as a story-teller. Not only does she imagine painful scenarios of love and heartbreak, but she also finds a way to view every character’s perspective, no matter how controversial their actions are. In cardigan, betty, and august, Swift describes three perspectives of a love triangle.
In betty, we learn that James regrets hurting Betty by spending the summer with Augustine, and how he hopes to win Betty back. In august, we hear about Augustine, and how she spent a summer full of hope and fear, as she loved James but knew he loved Betty. In cardigan, we get Betty’s perspective (as reflected in the above lyric), which shows us how deeply James hurt her and tore her belief in love.
I love how exploring the story from each person’s perspective adds depth to their character. For example, Augustine isn’t just “the other woman.” Her character genuinely hoped for something meaningful with James, but she ultimately understands that he belongs to Betty and will never truly be hers, no matter how long she waits “behind the mall.” The above lyric shows how James broke the trust of someone who had once relied on him to heal from her past wounds.
This trio of songs is one of the strongest pieces in Swift’s discography, and is often how I introduce new listeners to her music.
- Evermore
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“Now you hang from my lips like the Gardens of Babylon”
– Cowboy Like MeEvermore is one of the most mystical albums I’ve ever heard. Paired with its sister album, Folklore, it stands out as some of the best music Swift has ever written. This lyric, in particular, tells the story of two swindlers falling in love. The song highlights Swift’s incredible storytelling ability as she weaves a tale of two people who once faked love for money discovering something real—something worth giving it all up for. By comparing their love to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Swift conveys that their connection is not only genuine but also ancient and rare, like a mythical wonder.
- Midnights
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“I looked around in a blood soaked gown and I saw something they can’t away”
– You’re on Your Own KidTo me, this album represents Swift reflecting on her career and revisiting moments from across it. This lyric feels uniquely poignant for that reason. Not only did this song spark the resurgence of friendship bracelets and inspire the beautiful tradition of trading them at concerts, but it also celebrates Swift’s growth—from a small-town country artist to one of the greatest artists of her generation. Along the way, she fought countless battles (and attended a fair share of metaphorical balls), but the legacy she has built is truly unmatched.
 “Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first”
– Would’ve Could’ve Should’veWhile Midnights didn’t have vault tracks, it did include the 3AM tracks, which were released just hours after the album dropped. Among these, Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve stood out to me and my roommates—we sang it constantly. We didn’t have anyone specific in mind, but the raw emotion of the song gave us all a reason to feel angry. I remember saying, the first time we listened to it, that this lyric would become the most popular from the entire album, and I was right. We all have different stories, but girls everywhere resonated with the idea of losing their girlhood—or having it stolen from them. This song is a powerful way for Swift to address how her early experiences continue to haunt her adulthood, while also allowing girls everywhere to see themselves in her shoes, reminding us that we’re not alone.
- The tortured poets department
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“I’d rather burn my life down than listen to one more second of all this b*tching and moaning”
– But Daddy I love HimThe Tortured Poets Department wasn’t an instant favorite for me, but now I can’t stop thinking about it. The album explores themes of anger directed at fans and others who speculate about and intrude on Swift’s life. She’s been under the spotlight for years, experiencing an inconceivable amount of love—and hate. No one should have to endure the constant barrage of opinions and scrutiny that Swift faces daily, which is why I find this lyric so powerful. After years of trying to please everyone and dealing with endless judgments, Swift has every right to feel angry and to live her life on her own terms.
“I look in people’s windows / in case you’re at their table / what if your eyes looked up and met mine / one more time”
– I look in people’s windowsTTPD is about more than just anger; at its core, it’s primarily a breakup album. I Look in People’s Windows from the anthology of the album is one such breakup song, and it quickly earned a spot on my all-time favorite breakup songs playlist. The song perfectly captures the feeling of watching life move on around you while you feel stuck in heartbreak, clinging to the hope of seeing the person you love again. I don’t listen to it often because it breaks my little heart, but I know I’ll return to it the next time I’m nursing a broken heart.
As someone who has grown up with Taylor Swift, I can confidently say that no musician has created more relatable music. Somehow, she always seems to know exactly what I’m going through and offers the perfect words to let me know she’s either in it with me or has been there too. Her songwriting is undoubtedly her greatest strength, and I’ve loved having the opportunity to highlight some of her best lyrics of all time.