Taylor Swift's Best Song from Every Album
Swift's best song isn't "All Too Well." Sorry Swifties and music critics.
Taylor Swift is a master lyricist who captures the imagination of anxious, boy-obsessed adolescent girls across the nation, and who became a global pop phenomenon.
Today, Swift has struggled to maintain the same accessibility to the hearts of girls and women across the nation, but her discography has had an undeniably heavy hand in our musical consciousness. Her vulnerability's resonated with many who felt misunderstood, lonely, and driven up the wall by the concept and feeling of "love."
Swift's looming presence endures because of her singular ability to tug at our heartstrings with the pick of her guitar. Every album is released in a different era with a different sound, but the singer's voice always shines through. These are her best songs from each album.
Taylor Swift (2006): "Picture to Burn"
"Picture to Burn" is Swift at her grittiest and most immature. It revolts against an unrequited love interest in the pettiest of ways. While parts of the song haven't necessarily aged well, the country-rock style jumped out, making Swift's stage-presence undeniable.
Fearless (2008):"The Best Day"
Fearless is known for its writhing teen melodrama. "The Best Day" is a criminally underrated, near-perfect ode to childhood and your parents. The song sounds effortless in its exploration and reflection of youth. So far, Swift has been unable to top the song's heart-felt, nostalgia-ridden music video.
Speak Now (2010): "Back to December"
"Dear John" may be one of the most iconic break-up songs, but "Back to December" evokes the undeniable guilt every lover has felt in a past relationship, where, really, nothing went wrong. The sweeping sonic production is as epic as it gets.
Red (2012): "State of Grace"
I will be the first to say, "All Too Well" is not one of the best written songs of the decade. That is a knock to Swift's abilities, specifically because "All Too Well" does not capture her heart in the way many of the songs from Red are able to. "State of Grace" accomplishes all "Long Live" tried to achieve. "State of Grace" is a treacherous examination of a woman in a constant state of change, from adolescence to adulthood. It's magnetic and stunning.
1989 :(2014): "All You Had to Do Was Stay"
Swift's pivot to pop garnered her critical acclaim and commercial success like never before. Her singles were inescapable and her face was plastered everywhere. No one may immediately associate "All You Had to Do Was Stay" with Swift's best, but it never gets old. The track is always an entertaining musical thrill-ride, commenting on the highs and lows, and the desperation to make a relationship work. Also, Swift's voice has never sounded better.
Reputation (2017): "Getaway Car"
Taylor Swift's discography is a collection of messy, complicated, and gut-wrenching songs, but "Getaway Car" may be one of the messiest songs Swift has ever written. Tugged between two men, escaping one relationship for another, "Getaway Car" is a knockout call to Bonnie Tyler's "Eclipse of the Heart." It's a must listen from her mixed-received album, Reputation.
Lover (2019): "It's Nice to Have a Friend"
The haunting nature of "It's Nice To Have A Friend" complements it's sweet, simplistic subject beautifully. The song completes a narrative that only Swift can accomplish. Anytime Swift explores platonic relationships, sincerity always drips from her lips. On Lover, the track was a pleasant and gorgeous surprise.