In case you haven't met me, hi, I'm Allison and I am obsessed with Taylor Swift. That being said, this list was the hardest thing I've ever had to do (including writing my college application essays and reading Plato and Aristotle). Anyway, here goes nothing.
10. “Ronan”
This is a charity single in honor of Ronan Thompson, a 4-year-old boy who died of neuroblastoma. Taylor’s inspiration for writing this song came from reading about Ronan on his mother’s blog. She used quotes from the blog and credited his mother, Maya Thompson, as a cowriter. She has only performed the song live twice; first for Stand Up To Cancer, and second at her Glendale, Arizona show of her 1989 World Tour, where Maya was in the audience. This is definitely one of her more emotional songs and I cry every time. (That isn’t saying much though, I cry about everything).
Best lyrics: “And what if I’m standing in your closet trying to talk to you?/And what if I kept the hand-me-downs you won’t grow into?/And what if I really thought some miracle would see us through?/Maybe the miracle was even getting one moment with you.”
9. “Tim McGraw”
“Tim McGraw” brought Taylor into the spotlight and it without a doubt deserves a spot on this list, even if just for giving the world the gift that is Taylor Swift. But that’s not the only merit this song has. It’s a lovely ode to young love and an impressively well-written and mature song, especially when you consider Taylor was a freshman in high school when she co-wrote it with Liz Rose. Of course, her country roots can’t be denied in this song, with its twangy sound—both from the 12 string guitar and her voice. This only adds to the charm of the song of course. And fun fact, the video was filmed at Johhny Cash’s cabin (how freaking cool). Ahh, baby Taylor with her precious accent and curly hair, and cowboy boots. Awww.
Best lyrics: “But when you think "Tim McGraw"/I hope you think my favorite song/The one we danced to all night long/The moon like a spotlight on the lake”
8. “State of Grace”
Say what you will about her, but Taylor Swift can write a beautiful song. “State of Grace” is evidence of that. From her album "Red," it was never released as a single (though it could and should have been). A fantastic love song which legions of haters who claim she only writes nasty breakup songs undoubtedly haven’t heard, this manages to feel exactly like a blossoming relationship. And like most passionate relationships, this song has a ton of potential, but unfortunately it just never worked out (as a single; I’m bitter).
Best lyrics: “So you were never a saint, and I loved in shades of wrong. We learn to live with the pain: mosaic broken hearts. But this love is brave and wild.”
7. “Back to December”
The song in which Taylor fully and bluntly admits she is at fault for ruining a relationship. Amazing how so many people overlook this song. From her album Speak Now, what most consider her last full country album, “Back to December” is haunting and chilling (it’s literally snowing in her house in the video; so perfect) and full of remorse. And when she sang it live and added OneRepublic’s “Apologize”, oh my. It was amazing. How can you not be moved by the distinct regret in her voice?
Best lyrics: “Maybe this is wishful thinking/Probably mindless dreaming/But if we loved again I swear I'd love you right./I'd go back in time and change it but I can't/ So if the chain is on your door, I understand.”
6. “Last Kiss”
“Last Kiss” is without a doubt my favorite song from Speak Now. A stunning and forlorn story about the shock of losing a love you thought would last, “Last Kiss” is another tear joker. Taylor tells a story that you relate to even if you’ve never experienced what she’s singing. Another non-single (who knows why not?), this song has so many emotions: sadness, regret, hope, and the almost indescribable feeling of being utterly lost. But Taylor conveys that emotion seamlessly with this song.
Best lyrics: “And I'll go sit on the floor/Wearing your clothes/All that I know is that/I don't know how to be something you miss” AND “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 breathe”
5. “Style”
The third single from her latest album, “Style” captures Taylor’s new sound perfectly. The lyrics are pretty awesome, but the music really stands out on this one. After the pure pop celebration that was “Shake It Off” and the satirical tone of “Blank Space”, this single reminds listeners exactly what Taylor is capable of. It’s dreamy, catchy, and despite its overzealous airtime on radio, still one of my favorite songs from 1989. What can I say? It never goes out of Style…(Also the music video is absolutely gorgeous and is elicits all the right emotions)
Best lyrics: “I should just tell you to leave 'cause I/Know exactly where it leads but I/Watch it go round and round each time.”
4. “Breathe”
While the world was getting sick of “You Belong With Me”, this gem was hiding on Taylor’s album Fearless. Co-written with Colbie Caillat, Taylor again does what she does best, and tells us a story with her music. This song makes my stomach knot up—in the best way possible—like watching a tragic movie. The music is grand and sweeping, while having these gorgeous light and airy moments so it’s never too much. And the sentiment of breathing without someone you depended on so heavily is pretty universal. Not to mention the haunting repetition oh the “sorrys” in the background at the end!
Best lyrics: “And we know it's never simple,/Never easy/Never a clean break, no one here to save me/You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand.”
3. “White Horse”
Another song that makes me cry like a baby. What’s new? Despite this song’s commonality with other Taylor songs, in that it makes me cry, it definitely stands out as one of her most emotionally charged songs. Her vocals are very impressive in this song as well. Her second single from her second album, Fearless, “White Horse” showed everyone a side of Taylor they really hadn’t seen. When I first heard it, I thought it was the best song she written at the time. Her raw emotions and vulnerability really make “White Horse” special. And oh my God, in the video when it shows her on the phone with the guy, and he asks “Do you love me?” and she answers “Yeah” and he asks “Can you give me a second chance?” and she answers “No” and she collapses in tears. It breaks my heart. I love Taylor so much.
Best lyrics: “Maybe I was naïve,/Got lost in your eyes/And never really had a chance/My mistake I didn't know to be in love/You had to fight to have the upper hand.”
2. “New Romantics”
Literally my favorite song off 1989. I have no idea why Taylor would hide this masterpiece in her bonus tracks, especially since of all the songs on the album, this one gives off the strongest 80s synth pop vibe she says inspired her. And the message is perfect and so indicative of how much Taylor has grown and changed in the last several years. And it’s so fun! And not in the ALMOST cheesy and cliché way “Shake It Off” is. Like, I hear this song and I want to grab a squad and ride down the road with the top down or go to a fair or just dance in a city at night. And it’s empowering. This song is everything I never knew I needed from Taylor. YASSSSS.
Best lyrics: “'Cause, baby, I could build a castle/Out of all the bricks they threw at me” AND “We are too busy dancing/To get knocked off our feet/Baby, we're the new romantics/The best people in life are free.”
1. “All Too Well”
THIS IS THE BEST SONG TAYLOR HAS EVER WRITTEN OMG. Okay, but seriously, this song has all of the best things about Taylor: glorious songwriting, extreme emotion, grandiose music, and powerful vocals. I cry every single time I listen to the song, which is problematic because I listen to it every single day. It tells the moving, heart wrenching story of not being able to forget a passionate love. Taylor has said the original version of the song was about 10 minutes long. She cut in half for her album "Red," but I don’t know why. This is one song that deserves 10 minutes. It her most dynamic song, with its quiet verse and changing choruses and multiple bridges. And watching it live will change your life, even if its just through a YouTube video. This song is everything I’ve ever wanted out of the universe at all, okay. It is perfect.
Best lyrics: literally every single one, but I’ll give you some of my favorites.
“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.”
“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/After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own/Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone.”
*cries*
Honorable Mentions:
Like literally every song she has ever written. Just kidding (not really).
"Innocent" (her beautiful response to Kanye West)
"Long Live" (an ode to her fans [THAT’S ME])
"I Knew You Were Trouble" (her first leap into a totally new genre, changed the game.)
