Taylor Swift is one of the biggest artists of this generation, releasing 10 thrilling albums in her career. This statistic can be overwhelming to someone who’s never listened to her before: where do you start? In honor of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour kicking off this past week, I’ve decided to make the ultimate guide to Taylor Swift, recommending my favorite songs from each album. 

Debut

This is Swift’s first-ever album released at just 16 years old, classifying under country. I have to admit that this is my least-listened to the album, simply because I’m not too big on country music. Nonetheless, there are still some great songs from this album. 

Picture to Burn: This song is hands-down my favorite on Debut. It perfectly captures the teenage angst you feel at 16, as well as a catchy tune to go along with it. 

Other honorable mentions: I’m Only Me When I’m With You, Our Song, Tim Mcgraw

Fearless (Taylor’s Version) 

While Fearless was originally released in 2008, it was re-recorded in April 2021 in order to gain ownership rights to the album. Swift not only re-recorded her old nostalgic songs from Fearless, but she also included “from the vault” tracks in the new album that were not released in the original!

You Belong With Me: This song will always hold a special place in my heart, so I’ll have to say that this is my favorite. I loved this song from the moment I heard it on the radio in elementary school and have loved it ever since. Although this may not be Swift’s best song lyrically on Fearless, you can’t beat the nostalgic vibes that accompany this classic tune. 

Other honorable mentions: The Other Side of the Door, Love Story, The Way I Loved You, Mr. Perfectly Fine, Forever & Always, White Horse

Speak Now

Speak Now is one of my favorite Taylor Swift albums of all time. This was a hard album to choose a favorite from, simply because I love every song on it. Speak Now really elaborates on Swift’s thought process as she ends her teenage years and tries to understand the world around her. 

Dear John: I had to go with Dear John as my favorite because of the absolute raw emotion in this song. This song was written after Swift went through a very public breakup, and the lyrics in this song perfectly portray the state of mind she was in at the time, especially the bridge~ “You are an expert at sorry, and keeping lines blurry, never impressed with me acing your tests”

Other honorable mentions: Last Kiss, The Story of Us, Better than Revenge, Enchanted, If This Was a Movie, Mine

Red (Taylor’s Version) 

Swift released her re-recording of Red in November 2021, also throwing in many ‘from the vault’ songs– including a 10-minute version of one of her most popular songs from the album (All too Well). There were a whopping 30 songs in this re-released album!

Nothing New (ft. Phoebe Bridgers): Although it might seem insane not to choose All too Well (10 minute version) as my favorite song from Red, I have to go with Nothing New. The lyrics of this song truly resonate with me and Phoebe Bridgers’ feature is simply heavenly. I love Bridgers’ music, so Swift’s collaboration with her quickly made this song my favorite on the album. 

Other honorable mentions: All too Well (10-minute version), Babe, The Last Time, Better Man, I Bet You Think About Me, Sad Beautiful Tragic

1989

1989 is definitely Swift’s most pop-focused album, with all of the songs having upbeat tunes and good vibes. This was the first of Swift’s albums to be classified as pop. 1989 was aimed to speak to other millennials who were also going through uncertain times, similar to Swift. 

Style: There was no debate for me when choosing Style as my favorite 1989 song. Style is the perfect song to play on a summer night when you’re driving with the windows down. The beat is catchy, the vibes are high, and it certainly helps that this song is rumored to be written about Harry Styles! 

Other honorable mentions: Wildest Dreams, Blank Space, Out of the Woods, Clean

Reputation

After a 3-year break from making music, Swift released this eye-opening album. Reputation released after Swift’s ‘reputation’ was tarnished following her public feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. This album completely shifted Swift’s image and was unlike anything she has ever released before. If this album had to be described in one word, it’d be revenge. 

Don’t Blame Me: The first time I heard this song, I immediately liked it because it was unlike any other song I’ve heard from Taylor Swift. The song has almost a suspenseful beat, and her vocals are especially extraordinary during the bridge. 

Other honorable mentions: Dress, Gorgeous, Getaway Car, Delicate, Look What You Made Me Do

Lover

Lover is an album full of feel-good songs and, as you probably could’ve guessed, love. This album is full of love songs, and is also very important to Swift as it is the first album she fully owned herself. 

False God: This song is extremely underrated in my opinion. The surprising use of saxophones to start out the song and the catchy beat makes this the perfect song to dance to. What more could you want?

Other honorable mentions: False God, Daylight, The Archer, Cruel Summer, Paper Rings, Death by a Thousand Cuts

Folklore

Folklore is hands-down my absolute favorite album from Taylor Swift. My favorite song changes so often because all of them are masterpieces. Swift released this album as a surprise during 2020 quarantine and it was her first dive into the indie genre. 

Seven: If I had to choose which song has recently been on repeat the most for me, I think I’d have to go with Seven. Seven touches on the innocence you once possessed in your youth and reminisces on the simpler times in life. The melody of this song is also very harmonious and I could honestly listen to it all day. 

Other honorable mentions: cardigan, exile, august, my tears ricochet, the 1, mirrorball, this is me trying, and the rest of the whole album 

Evermore

Evermore was another surprise quarantine album released in December 2020, just a couple months after folklore. It is said to be folklores ‘sister album’. Evermore can be described as very cottage-core, and branches off the folklore indie style. 

Right where you left me: This song always leaves me speechless, no matter how many times I listen to it. The lyrics are wonderfully crafted and I have never heard anything quite like this. Instead of just saying “I didn’t move on”, Swift says, “dust collected on my pinned-up hair”. 

Other honorable mentions: champagne problems, willow, ‘tis the damn season, gold rush, no body no crime

Midnights

Midnights is Swift’s most recent album, just released in October 2022. She described the 13 original songs on this album as “13 sleepless nights”, hence the album name. She later released 7 additional “3am tracks” to enhance the album. 

Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve: If I ever went to one of those plate-smashing rooms, this is the song I would choose to have playing in the background. Would’ve could’ve should’ve is truly a lyrical masterpiece, with lines like, “living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts, give me back my girlhood, it was mine first”. Other honorable mentions: You’re On Your Own Kid, Lavender Haze, Anti-Hero, Midnight Rain, Snow on the Beach (ft. Lana Del Ray), The Great War