This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at USF chapter.

When Taylor Swift released her most recent album, Red, last October, we were surprised to hear how far Swift drifted from her country roots. While “All Too Well” (my all-time favorite song) and “Begin Again” still had a country feel, the album, on the whole, was a stretch from her country darling image. “22,” “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” and “I Know You Were Trouble” are all earworm pop songs made for chart-climbing.

However, I don’t think I’m the only one who misses classic, country Taylor Swift. Here’s a throwback to some of my favorite songs off her first three albums, along with my favorite lyric from each song. I’m going to try to highlight songs that weren’t released as singles so that you can hear all Swift has to offer.

Taylor Swift- 2006

Swift’s first, self-titled album, released late 2005, was a show in songwriting talent. She wove storytelling and mature, profound lyrics into a girlish, country melody.

“Mary’s Song (Oh My My My)

“Take me back to the creek beds we turned up

Two A.M. riding in your truck and all I need is you next to me

Take me back to the time we had our very first fight

The slamming of doors instead of kissing goodnight

You stayed outside till the morning light

Oh my my my my”

“Cold As You”

“You put up walls and paint them all a shade of gray

And I stood there loving you and wished them all away

And you come away with a great little story

Of a mess of a dreamer with the nerve to adore you”

“Tied Together With A Smile”

“I guess that true love was all you want

Cause you’re giving it away like it’s extra change

Hoping it will end up in his pocket

But he leaves you out like a penny in the rain

Oh, cause it’s not his price to pay”

Fearless- 2008

Fearless cemented Swift as an international superstar. In fact, the album is the most awarded country album ever. The Fearless Tour was Swift’s first (of three) headlining tour

“Breathe (feat. Colbie Caillat)”

Never wanted this, never wanna see you hurt.

very little bump in the road I tried to swerve.

People are people, and sometimes it doesn’t work out,

Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out.

“Breathe (feat. Colbie Caillat)”

“Because these things will change

Can you feel it now?

These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down

This revolution, the time will come

For us to finally win

And we’ll sing hallelujah”

“The Way I Loved You”

“Breakin’ down and coming undone

It’s a roller coaster kinda rush

And I never knew I could feel that much

And that’s the way I loved you”

Speak Now- 2010

Taylor Swift wrote Speak Now, favorite album, entirely on her own. Though Swift may not have the most technically good voice, with this album she proves her superiority over record label puppet popstars like Brittney Spear, Rhianna and the like. Swift demonstrates her true artistry as she writes, sings and performs her own songs.

“Haunted”

“He would try to take away my pain

And he just might make me smile

But the whole time I’m wishing he was you instead”

“Long Live”

“Long live all the mountains we moved

I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you”

“Sparks Fly”

“Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down

Give me something that’ll haunt me when you’re not around

’cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile”

Bonus!- “All Too Well”

“You call me up again

Just to break me like a promise,

So casually cruel in the name of being honest,

I’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying here,

Cuz I remember it all, all, all too well”

And just because this is my favorite song ever and, in my opinion, a self-aware, honest songwriting masterpiece, here is “All Too Well,” from the album Red. The lyrics are rich, descriptive and intelligent. The storytelling is imeccable. The bridge is soul-crushing and beautiful. The tone is warm, yet cold at the same time. It’s nostalgic and painful and honest. I’ve never related to a song so much. I hope you enjoy too.