Wonderland

This is one of Taylor’s masterpieces of the 1989 genre. I’ve been obsessed with this song recently– and by obsessed, I mean listening to it on repeat for like a week straight. I appreciate the hints of Alice in Wonderland themes in this song– which served as an inspiration. I love this song mostly because of the story it tells. Two people who just get so caught up in one another that they forget about their reality– which I think is something we all want to experience someday. Sidenote: Taylor sings of green eyes in this song, just like every other song... girl needs to send out a PSA of how she meets so many boys with green eyes.

Fearless 

I love this song so much because I can imagine the entire song playing out in my head like a movie. Who wouldn’t want to dance in the rain with someone they like? Cheesy as hell, but you know if someone you liked wanted to do it, you would. Also, we all have hopes of getting so caught up in someone that we don’t remember to keep our guard up to fight the emotions and feelings that we may typically use as defense mechanisms. We just want to let them in because it feels natural to do so. 

New Year's Day

If you miss the old Taylor, this reputation song will be nostalgic for you. I appreciate this song for its simplicity. I interpret it as about enjoying love while you have it– whether it be unconditional, romantic, passionate, friendly, or of kin. It’s an expression of gratitude you have for a person’s presence and place in your life. We all have those people in our lives that will hold a special spot in our hearts. We don’t want to grow apart from them, and this song kind of speaks to that, in my opinion.   

You Are In Love 

This song will make you want to fall and be in love, I guarantee it. Taylor wrote this song after asking her friend, Lena Dunham, who at the time was in a long relationship with Jack Antanoff, the other mastermind behind 1989 and reputation, what it was like to fall in love. Taylor proceeded by writing a lyrical story filling in the blanks of those emotions and events Lena expressed. I think this song is simply a masterpiece. I sure as hell want to be in love someday like how this song portrays it.  

Call It Want You Want 

This song is not the new Taylor, but not the old Taylor. This song hits me because it’s about someone who wants to be with you through it all: the good, the bad, understands your past, and will be by your side in the future. This song just makes me happy for Taylor. It’s clearly about her new boyfriend, just like almost every song on this album. 

Invisible 

In middle school this song was on repeat and I would cry every time I listened to it, I don’t know why I thought I could relate to this song, BUT it hit me hard.  This song will hit you hard if you’ve ever liked someone that didn’t like you back– which I think has happened to everyone at least once– even if it’s just crushing on a celebrity, the emotions can still be real. This song will also hit you hard if you have ever found yourself comparing yourself to someone you thought was more attractive, funny, sociable, ect., it’s a matter of not feeling good enough compared to someone else– especially if that someone else is someone your crush likes over you.  

Haunted 

I am so moved by this song and the emotions behind it. There is something so powerful and painful behind Taylor’s voice whenever she performs it­­– and I’ve watched dozens of different performances of Haunted, there was power and pain each time. This song is literally haunting. It taunts the listener with the scenario of liking someone that you thought you knew and cared about you, but they changed their mind and left you behind. You can never completely recover or move on from something like that, at least not right away– it literally haunts you for awhile.

The Moment I Knew 

THIS SONG BREAKS MY HEART EVERY DAMN TIME. This song will hit you hard if you’ve ever been let down by someone you like. You get dressed up knowing you are going to see them, because they said you would; but plans change, and they end up not showing up. If you’ve ever experienced a situation like that, you will understand how much it hurts. This song portrays a situation like that perfectly– too relatable.

Begin Again 

I vibe with this song because it’s not about heart break or heart ache, it’s about getting excited about getting excited about someone new. This song just serves as hope for the relationship I hope we are all lucky to have someday. All the things your past person may not have liked about you, someone will love someday. I also enjoy the lines “I think it’s strange that you think I’m funny, cause he never did”, and by enjoy I mean the lyrics break my heart. We all deserve someone who will laugh at our jokes and be silly with us, even if they must pretend.  

The Last Time

This song’s concept is simple in my interpretation: someone just wants to be put first. Many people I’m sure have been in a situation where they are cool and accepting with being second or third in someone’s priorities because life happens.  Whatever may be going on in your interest’s life whether it be work, friends, school, whatever it may be, you just won't be put first. It can be painful, humiliating, and stressful, especially if it happens all the time. This song captures a situation where you realize enough is enough– no apologies, excuses, or promises can be enough to fix the damage. This song is a reminder to remember your worth with someone.