Miss Taylor Swift has done it again. Last Friday, she surprise released her ninth studio album (and second album during COVID quarantine). As a resident Swiftie, it seemed only fitting that I write about her for my blog this week.

In a previous blog, I rated Swift’s albums based on their cover art. This time, I’d like to get into her music. Today I will be rating songs that share the same name as their album.

(only 5 are included because the other 4 albums did not have a namesake song)

5. Lover (2019)

Now this may be controversial, but I’m not a huge fan of the song Lover. Although I love this album as a whole, the song unfortunately suffered from being WAY overplayed on the radio when the Lover album first debuted. This moderately paced love song lacks the creative storytelling and relatability that is characteristic of Taylor’s better love songs. With an unremarkable musical background and lack of unique ideas, this song becomes a bit mundane after listening the first few times. I don’t dislike this song necessarily, but it is far from being a favorite of mine.

4. evermore (2020)

In contrast to many of the other songs on this list, evermore is a very melancholy, sad song. In one ethereal song, Taylor skillfully encapsulates the loneliness and unmoored feeling of quarantine as the seasons change. Gloom is inevitable, as we experience winter mostly alone, and Taylor’s song matches the vibe of the cold air seeping in. Personally, I prefer upbeat songs, and I haven’t had the chance to listen to this song much yet, so my relationship with it is fairly shallow. This song has potential to be ranked higher, if I knew it better.

3. Speak Now (2010)

When this song (and album) came out in 2010, I absolutely loved it. The tune is catchy and upbeat, the storytelling is vivid, and the instrumentals are energetic without overpowering the singer. The chorus of this song is a bit repetitive, but not in an irritating or boring way. However, listening to this song now becomes uncomfortable if I think about it too deeply. The song depicts Taylor fantasizing about crashing the wedding of a male friend, who she thinks is marrying the wrong girl. The setting is described perfectly, but Taylor’s depiction and criticisms of the girl being married expose some internalized misogyny that is apparent on other tracks in this album as well. I only wish that this story could have been told without degrading the other girl.

2. Red (2012)

Though Red is a breakup song, it maintains a fast paced, upbeat energy. Taylor contrasts lyrics about struggling to move on from a breakup with a track that mimics the passionate relationship. The end of the song comes suddenly, as the background music fades out with no warning and Taylor ends by repeating the first line, quiet and slow. This leaves the ending feeling like the breakup depicted in the song: a flame that abruptly fizzles out just as quickly and powerfully as it began. Equating the feelings of a relationship and a breakup to colors makes Taylor’s song both creative and relatable, because the interpretation is somewhat left to the listener. 

1. Fearless (2008)

Though it is the oldest song on this list, Taylor Swift’s Fearless is a classic. This song reminds me of dancing in the rain, and singing at the top of your lungs in the car with friends, and the butterflies in your stomach as you lock eyes with someone. It’s written about Taylor’s relationship with a lover, but anyone living their best life feels this song in some way. The feeling of being fearless because you have someone who will always catch you is not exclusive to romantic relationships. The background music is energetic yet simple, and does not overpower the singer.