As a lifelong Swiftie, Eras Tour attendee, and someone who shares a birthday with Taylor herself, Iâd like to think I am somewhat familiar with Taylor Swiftâs discography. From Debut to Midnights and everything in between, I have listened to each and every song of hers, multiple times, and have a Taylor Swift playlist for just about every occasion. Although my ranking may be controversial, I took many things into account when putting together my ranking from features, to vault tracks and bonus tracks. I have compiled this ranking of Taylor Swiftâs ten albums, only including Taylorâs Versions for the rerecordings that are available as of now.
- Folklore
Produced during the pandemic, Folklore was a perfect escape and comfort throughout the uncertainty during quarantine. The acoustics on this album are unmatched and in my opinion it is the best album Taylor has ever released. This indie-folk collection explores themes of addiction, mental health, anxiety, and fictious stories from the cottage-core, whimsical forest Swift envisioned. The depth and intricacy of each ballad is something that has not been replicated in her previous work, and it is no surprise that this album topped the charts in 2020. I love the sincerity of Folklore, as it feels less of a production and more of an effortlessly beautiful storybook filled with intrinsic characters and relationships. My most listened to songs include âthe lakes”, âbetty”, âthis is me trying”, âseven”, âcardigan”, and âthe last great american dynasty.âÂ
- Evermore
This is the âI Forgot That You Existedâ album of Taylorâs discography. Unless youâre an avid Taylor Swift fan, some people may not even know this album exists. It came as a surprise after Folklore, as Taylor had not previously released two albums that close in time in prior years. Evermore is the âsister recordâ to Folklore as Taylor put it. With Evermore, Taylor not only wrote music, but envisioned an esoteric dreamscape complete with its own characters, tragedies and tales. Evermore contains some of Taylorâs most mystical, poetic and carefree lyricism of all time. She collaborated with Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Justin Vernon and Joe Alwyn (William Bowery) to complete this seventeen track musical masterpiece. My favourite songs include âivy”, âno body, no crime (feat. HAIM)”, “gold rush”, ââtis the damn season”, and âconey island (feat. The National).â
- Reputation
If you are in your revenge era, then this one’s for you. This album was Taylorâs way of addressing all the critics in her life who loved to pinpoint each and every flaw of hers. While some may argue that this album is too much of a âproduction”, it is one of my favourite albums to date. Itâs the perfect âdance like no oneâs watching albumâ and most of the songs can easily be memorized after just a few listens. This album is unlike any of Taylorâs previous endeavours and has influences of hip hop, trap, and EDM intertwined. It is some of Swiftâs most vulnerable and powerful writing, and was the perfect comeback after being hidden from the public eye for a year. My top tier songs on this tracklist are âDonât Blame Me”, âDelicate”, âGetaway Car”, âKing of My Heart”, âDress”, âCall It What You Want”, and âNew Yearâs Day.â
- 1989Â
1989 contains some of Taylorâs most iconic songs of all time. From âBlank Spaceâ to âBad Bloodâ and âShake It Off”, most people are familiar with this album, considering it is Taylorâs first full-fledged pop album. This album is timeless and the lyricism and musicality does not go unnoticed. Taylor coined this album 1989 after her birth year, and the 1989 era goes down as one of Swiftâs most unforgettable eras thus far. A friendly reminder that 1989 (Taylorâs Version), comes out October 27th, 2023. My top songs on this album are âStyle”, âI Wish You Would”, âNew Romantics”, âWonderland”, âClean”, and âThis Love.â
- Speak Now (Taylorâs Version)
Speak Now is a perfect blend of country, pop, and rock, documenting adolescence, growth, and everything in between. It is one of Taylorâs most versatile albums and has some of the best choruses of her entire discography. It signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood, and is both musically and lyrically exquisite. Speak Now carries some of Swiftâs most influential anthems, perfect for karaoke nights or belting out in the shower. The twenty-two tracks on this album were written solely by Swift herself, proving to critics that she can do it all. Some fan favourites are âMine (Taylorâs Version)”, âBack to December (Taylorâs Version)”, âDear John (Taylorâs Version)”, âSparks Fly (Taylorâs Version)”, and âSpeak Now (Taylorâs Version).â
- LoverÂ
The Lover era was a foolproof opener for the Eras Tour. It is a perfect summer album, and has some of Taylorâs most fun and energetic tracks. Many of the songs are criminally underappreciated and deserve a lot more recognition. While the writing may not be up to par with Folklore and Evermore, the simplicity of some of the tracks make it the perfect belt out in your car album. Swift embodied every chronicle of love in this album and it is an instant mood booster. My most played songs on Lover includeâThe Man”, âThe Archer”, âDaylight”, âAfterglow”, âFalse God”, âLondon Boy”, and âDeath By A Thousand Cuts.â
- Red (Taylorâs Version)
It was difficult putting Red this low on my ranking considering it contains one of my all time favourite songs âAll Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylorâs Version) (From The Vault)â. This album is Taylorâs second re-recording and it did not disappoint. Taylor perfectly conveyed the complicated post-breakup feelings and these tracks contain some of her best lyricism to date. This album consists of some of my favourite features and guest vocals which include Ed Sheeran, Phoebe Bridgers, Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol and Chris Stapleton. This is Taylorâs longest album with thirty tracks, and a run time of just over two hours. This album had some of the best promotion including a ten minute short film directed by Taylor Swift, starring Sadie Sink and Dylan OâBrien. Some of the best tracks are âTreacherous (Taylorâs Version)â, âEverything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran) (Taylorâs Version)â, and âState of Grace (Taylorâs Version)â.Â
- Fearless (Taylorâs Version)
Fearless holds a special place in my heart being one of my most listened to albums from my childhood. I can recall listening to âLove Storyâ or âYou Belong With Me”, on the radio, not having any idea that fifteen years later, she would still be my most listened to artist. This album signifies Taylorâs entrance into mainstream media as well as her first number one album. This country-pop album also introduces aspects of folk and rock similar to Debut, and touches on the many emotions of a young teenage girl. Underrated songs include âWe were Happy (Taylorâs Version) (From The Vault)”, Forever & Always (Piano Version) (Taylorâs Version)”, and âWhite Horse (Taylorâs Version).â
- MidnightsÂ
With Midnights being Taylorâs tenth studio album, you might expect some aspects to be repetitive or similar to previous work she has put out, but evidently that is not the case with this album. Unlike Folklore and Evermore, Midnights gives us a taste of Taylorâs own thoughts and emotions as it includes topics such as self-criticism, anxiety, insecurity and tidbits into her â3 amâ thoughts. There are a wide range of genres included in this album from disco tunes, to R&B and even alternative rock. The lyricism is often overlooked in this album but in my opinion, it is some of Taylorâs most versatile and poetic writing yet. Some fan favourites include âMaroon”, Wouldâve Couldâve Shouldâve”, and “You’re On Your Own, Kid.â
- Debut
While this album may be ranked last, I am in no way insinuating that it is a bad album. In fact it is one of the few country albums I enjoy and gravitate to. As someone who is not an avid country music fan, I can appreciate this album as it incorporates elements of pop and rock and truly encompasses the many life experiences of a teenage girl growing up in a small town. If youâre just hearing of this album for the first time, I recommend listening to âTim Mcgrawâ, âTeardrops on my Guitarâ, âOur Song”, and âTied Together with a Smile.â