Taylor Swift is the extraordinarily well known country-to-pop princess that is currently standing on top of the world with her rhinestoned microphone in hand. This seven-time Grammy award winner delivers tunes to carry her audience through all emotional life phases and whether you love to "Shake It Off" or not, you have to admit that Taylor Swift is a lyrical genius who has a way with words. Her lyrical talent has lead her to create some of the best songs to use to cope with the struggle, stress and mess that is college. Here are five Taylor Swift songs that are sure to get you through any and all of college’s best and worst moments.
- "All Too Well" (Red, 2012)
If you have never heard this masterpiece of a ballad yet then you need to open the YouTube tab immediately and educate yourself. While not being a featured single from the album, ‘All Too Well’ delivers everything that Taylor Swift stands for. Only T. Swift can sing along to this melody at her perfect pitch while delivering a sad but true message that sometimes the most seemingly perfect things in life will end and will become the most vivid of memories. Whether this applies to a breakup, a broken dream, a failed final, or just the ballad you belt after a stressful day, just know that Taylor is serving up 100 percent stress relief. Her piercing words will flow powerfully with ease as the song builds to the climatic lines stating that, “...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.” Listen to the song, trust me, and belt it when life has become suddenly overwhelming.
2. "Mean" (Sparks Fly, 2010)
The real estate business doesn’t sell too many homes under rocks anymore, so I know you’ve heard of this feel good, country/pop single that took the world by storm a few years back. After hearing enough grown men criticize her art, Taylor did what she does best and took to writing a song about how the haters won’t matter for too long. A song that explains what it feels like when you feel like you’re being held back or held down. When someone doubts your dreams or your work ethic. It’s meant to be more of a “bye haters” anthem but professors can be haters, and homework, and the person in class who comes off as condescending. Listen to this when you feel suddenly insignificant because of someone else and remind yourself that someday you’ll be living away and in a big ‘ole city because all professors will ever be is mean.
3. "Shake It Off" (1989, 2014)
Going off of the “Bye Felicia” boat, here is a song that offers the best of the best stress relieving qualities. The beat is on point, the words are pop song approved but meaningful nonetheless, and it is fun to hear Taylor Swift brush off the haters. It’s an inspiring song on your down days, just shake it off and move on. Be you despite what the haters say or your parents who don’t believe in your major.
4. "Enchanted" (Sparks Fly, 2010)
One of the hardest parts about being in college is the fact that you’ve entered a new social construct, you’re around brand new people with different yet similar goals. It may or may not be difficult for you to meet new people but sometimes we come across crowds that we don’t care to be around. Sometimes we feel as if we stick out and the only thing that makes us feel better is to find someone else who feels the same. In the song ‘Enchanted’, Taylor tells a beautiful but relatable story of being enchanted by a person who is similar and charming. It doesn’t have to be a significant other but a friend made too. However you want to look at it, this pretty, fairytale-esque song highlights the importance of meeting someone and their effects on your life.
5. "22" (Red, 2012)
THIS SONG WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GREAT. I will repeat once more that THIS SONG WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GREAT. College is full of ups and downs and learning balance and structure and being prepared for the real world. It’s hard to remember that we’re young and there are moments that we need to take and appreciate. This song will make you remember that whether you’re at a high or low, everything will be alright as long as you have your “mains” next to you. It is upbeat and everything you need to face the “real world” with a smile.
College can be tough, but Taylor Swift and her words are tougher! Use these five songs to navigate your way through the stress and mess that is college by belting out all of the words, dancing along, or just enjoying the message of it all.
