I know not everyone is a Taylor Swift fan, though I'm still not sure why? Anytime anyone tells me they don't like Taylor Swift or her music, I am very skeptical that they have listened to all of her songs. I think people are so caught up in celebrity gossip that they deprive themselves of some truly beautiful art.

One of my favorite quotes about music reads as follows:

"Music is about ears, not eyes" - Begin Again (10/10 would recommend watching this 2013 film on Netflix)

If you prefer watching the drama that surrounds the music industry over listening to lyrics and engaging in the emotional experience, I'm not sure I trust your instincts or opinions. In light of Taylor Swift's decision to release her music on streaming platforms, I have decided it's worth a shot to persuade non-fans to give her music another chance. I kid you not, Taylor Swift releasing her music to Spotify is probably the best part of June for me, and it's still early...

Anyway, I do hope that reading some of these lyrics as poetry, along with my commentary, will lead you to appreciate her genius songwriting skills. Well, here are the song titles followed by excerpted lyrics/verses- most of these never made the radio but if you can sing them to the tune, we should be friends!

13 . Ronan

This song was written about a boy who died of cancer just before his fourth birthday. Taylor Swift was inspired after reading his mother's blog posts, which she continued writing even after her son passed. All of the proceeds from this song are donated to cancer charities.

I remember the drive home, when the blind hope
Turned to crying and screaming "Why?"
Flowers piled up in the worst way
No one knows what to say
About a beautiful boy who died
And it's about to be halloween
You could be anything you wanted if you were still here
I remember the last day when I kissed your face
I whispered in your ear

Go look up the song, hear the chorus, and I dare you not to cry.

12. State of Grace

Like all of the songs on this list, I highly encourage you to listen to this one with the music. When you reach this part of the song, it's as though you have experienced a real relationship and you are finally letting go. You are wiser about love and all of its secrets.

This is the state of grace
This is the worthwhile fight
Love is a ruthless game
Unless you play it good and right
These are the hands of fate
You're my Achilles heel
This is the golden age of something good and right and real

11. You're Not Sorry

This used to be my sad shower song (it's okay if that made you laugh, in hindsight I think it's funny). For anyone who is used to handing out second and third chances only to be disappointed, sing this song at the top of your lungs and end the toxic cycle.

All this time I was wasting
Hoping you would come around
I've been giving out chances every time
And all you do is let me down
And it's taking me this long
Baby but I figured you out
And you're thinking we'll be fine again
But not this time around

10. A Place in this World

For all of the fans who were experiencing teenage angst- this song really captures the uncertainty of growing up.

I don't know what I want, so don't ask me
'Cause I'm still trying to figure it out
Don't know what's down this road
I'm just walking
Trying to see through the rain coming down
Even though I'm not the only one, who feels
The way I do
I'm alone, on my own
And that's all I know,
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong
Oh, but life goes on

9. New Romantics

Even though this song is a bonus track on the 1989 album, it made it to the radio! It also meant that half of the entire album was aired on the radio- there is no denying Taylor Swift's success with pop.

We're so young
But we're on the road to ruin
We play dumb
But we know exactly what we're doing
We cry tears
Of mascara in the bathroom
Honey, life is just a classroom

8. Last Kiss

If you have ever been in a falling out of any sort, I think this verse accurately captures how hard it is to move on. Especially in the age of social media, when we have break ups, it's not really over because pictures of your ex will haunt you. It's a slow process to the final goodbye.

So I'll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep
And I feel you forget me like I used to feel you breath
And I'll keep up with our old friends just to ask them how you are
Hope it's nice where you are

7. Red

Tell me these metaphors are not beautifully deep? When you don't know how to articulate your own feelings, just listen to Swift's eloquent lyrics. All of them are easy to relate to because they capture the complexities of emotion in straightforward comparisons.

Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of you
Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite song
Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there's no right answer
Regretting him was like wishing you never found out that love could be that strong

6. Cold As You

Two words: unrequited love. Enough said? I think not. In all seriousness, if you have ever felt rejected but still cannot help loving the aloof character, this song is for you.

You put up the 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

5. Tied Together with a Smile

I'd like to think everyone has at least one moment in life where love becomes a desperate craving. This song is so deep because even when you feel loveless or unlovable, your heart will still search for love. Ultimately, the journey to love begins with self-love; that's what this song taught me.

I guess it's true that love was all you wanted
'Cause you're givin' 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
It's not his price to pay

4. You are in Love

The foundation to every relationship is not just honesty; it's also friendship. This song narrates the slow build of a love story, inspired by Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff's relationship!

And for once you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts
One step, not much, but it said enough
You kissed on sidewalks
You fight and you talk
One night he wakes, strange look on his face
Pauses, then says, you're my best friend
And you knew what it was, he is in love

3. Never Grow Up

Listen to this song with your mom and dad. Just do it.

You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At fourteen, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots
But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older too
And don't lose the way that you dance around in your p.j.s getting ready for school

2. Clean

THIS SONG. When 1989 was released, my best friend had just broken up with her boyfriend. We listened to the whole album, heard this song, and she said: "one day I'll listen to this and I'll know it's finally over."

The drought was the very worst
When the flowers that we'd grown together died of thirst
It was months and months of back and forth
You're still all over me like a wine stained dress I can't wear anymore

It took a little more than a year and a half but we finally discovered how to get the wine stain out.

1. All Too Well

This is the longest excerpt because the whole song is a work of art! For me, this is the ultimate break up song- it has all of the second-guessings, blaming, ruminating, and then (re)self-discovering.

Maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much,
And maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up.
Running scared, I was there, I remember it all too well.

Hey, 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
'Cause I remember it all, all, all too well.

Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it
I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it

And if that didn't convince you, well... you are entitled to your own wrong opinion because she has more Grammys than she can hold.