If you were listening to the radio at any time throughout the early 2000s to today, then you would automatically know who Taylor Swift is. Whether or not you define yourself as a ‘Swiftie,’ there’s no question that Taylor Swift has written music that can help us process and get out our emotions. From heartbreak to the pains of growing up, she’s covered it all. Keep reading for our top picks for every emotion!
Nostalgia: “Never Grow Up”, “The Best Day”, “A Place In This World”
Throughout university, nostalgia can hit hard when you’re in the depths of studying and thinking back to the easy days of playing dress up and being in bed by 7pm. “Never Grow Up” and “The Best Day” describe these nostalgic feelings perfectly in the simplest form – time passes too quickly and you don’t tend to take in the moment before it’s gone. “A Place in this World” is similar, but plays into the feeling of not truly knowing who you are yet (also a relatable struggle).
Bad Breakup: “I Knew You Were Trouble”, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “Picture To Burn”
This is something that I’m sure we can all relate to. Feeling angry or annoyed over a bad breakup is normal, and I can guarantee that you will feel better when you can get that angst out through a song that can help you express yourself. “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” provide this support while having an incredibly catchy beat. “Picture to Burn” is similar, but can also help give you the courage to rip up any old photos you might have with your ex (don’t set fire to them please).
Sad Breakup: “White Horse”, “The Way I Loved You”, “All Too Well”
Need a good cry? These are the songs for you. Classic country Taylor Swift, “White Horse” details the reality that a relationship may not have been all that you thought it was and that it’s actually not like the movies at all. “The Way I Loved You” is an over-looked gem on Fearless that mourns the loss of someone who you just can’t let go, even after they are gone. “All too Well” is a song that is greatly appreciated by all Swifties, and details the little things that happen in a relationship that you think about again and again after it has ended.
Having a Crush: “Jump Then Fall”, “Hey Stephen”, “Invisible”
We all can relate to the feeling of having a crush: butterflies in your stomach, being unable to talk, and often making a complete fool of yourself (just me?). “Jump Then Fall” is a fun, upbeat bop to dance around your room to when you can’t process all of the emotions that you are feeling. “Hey Stephen” is upbeat and fun, but also marks one of the few times that an actual name has been spoken (I bet this Stephen now has major regrets about what he missed out on). “Invisible”, while still being a song about having a crush, goes into the darker and more painful side of having one.
True Love: “Lover”, “This Love”, “Daylight”
Ah, the one thing we all wish that we could have. When you do have it, you feel as if you are on top of the world and these songs just help to further amplify this feeling. “Lover”, from Taylor Swift’s new album, amplifies this feeling in its entirety. A favourite line of many is “My heart’s been broken and yours has been blue, all’s well that ends well to end up with you.” “This Love” provides a similar feeling, going into how even if you separate with the person you love, they will come back to you at some point if it really is true love. “Daylight”, another new piece, puts into words how our first idea of what true love is may change when we finally have it.
I hope this list of songs helps you put into words exactly what you may be feeling in a certain situation, and if all else fails….