Taylor Swift for Beginners!

With the explosive year Taylor Swift has had, from her massive Eras Tour to her cultural relevance within the National Football League, lots of new fans are seeking to become Swifties. As a Swiftie of 15 years myself, here’s a non-single song recommendation from each of Swift’s albums for newcomers!

1. Taylor Swift: "Stay Beautiful"

I am admittedly not a country fan, but I love the song “Stay Beautiful”. I highly recommend it as an introduction to Taylor's country roots. It has a twangy sound, and Taylor's distinct accent from her teenage years is prominent. “Stay Beautiful” is a sweet love song and it is a good example of where Taylor started. Even if you aren't traditionally a country music fan, you will find something to love in Taylor's debut album. 

2. Fearless (Taylor’s Version): "The Way I Loved You"

If you're looking to further explore Taylor's country sound, but you're interested in a bigger production, then I recommend “The Way I Loved You”. “The Way I Loved You” introduces another sweet story but contrasts it with the intense emotions someone might feel in a turbulent relationship. This song has a brighter, bolder sound, and it is a good representation of Taylor's change in sound between her first and second albums.

3. Speak Now (Taylor’s Version): "Haunted"

As an album, Speak Now is truly a reflection of its time. The album combines pop and rock in a way that makes it clear Taylor was listening to bands like Fall Out Boy and Paramore (who are both featured in the vault tracks on her version of the album). Her rock-leaning influences best shine through on “Haunted”. This song is grand. From the intensity of her vocals to the captivating beauty of the orchestra, this song is one that can't be skipped.

4. Red (Taylor’s Version): "Stay Stay Stay"
The obvious answer here is “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)”, but I'm assuming everyone already knows they should listen to that one. Instead, I'd like to recommend “Stay Stay Stay”. Although Red is a country album, “Stay Stay Stay” is indicative of the pop sound Taylor would transition into following this album. It's another cute love song, and it is an underrated classic.

5. 1989 (Taylor’s Version): "I Know Places"

Of course I've had 1989 (Taylor's Version) on repeat since its release, and after non-stop listening for the last month, I feel qualified to recommend “I Know Places”. “I Know Places” is a lyrically clever song that highlights just how much Taylor was in the spotlight in 2014. The sentiment of wanting a private relationship and struggling to exist with such celebrity status is explored through this song, and it remains relevant in 2023 with her fame reaching new heights.

6. Reputation: "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things"

Though there are other non-singles from this album that have garnered more attention online in recent years, I think “This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things” is the best choice to capture the vibe of that era. Newer Swifties may not remember the drama and chaos that led up to Reputation's release, so this song is a good start to sum it up. The punchy chorus and direct references to drama make this song entertaining in a different way than the love songs on the list.

7. Lover: "Cornelia Street"

For Taylor's first self-owned album, I have to go with a fan favorite. “Cornelia Street” is a devastatingly beautiful breakup song. Anyone who has lost someone they once cared about, whether romantically or platonically, can relate to not being able to revisit memories that remind them of that person. Taylor reflects upon the sentiment perfectly.

8. Folklore: "seven"

Folklore is an album that showcases Taylor's songwriting ability, and "seven" is a song that depicts childhood in a way that departs from other songs in her discography. “Seven” is not Taylor's only song to describe childhood events, but it is unique in how it captures the feelings of love and fantasy that children experience.

9. Evermore: "right where you left me"

I am partial to this song as it was one of my surprise songs, but even beyond that I believe “right where you left me” to be Taylor and Aaron Dessner at their finest. Where “Cornelia Street” details not being able to return to a place you associate with a loved one, “right where you left me” is the opposite. This song, with its calm sound and heartbreaking lyrics, is the musical embodiment of what it is like to not be able to move on from a relationship. It is a powerful and painfully relatable song.

10. Midnights: “Would've Could've Should've”

This is possibly the most powerful song in Taylor's discography. This song is bold and damning. It is clear Taylor had to do a lot of deep reflection in order to have the clarity to write this song. I hope it was a healing experience for her, and I hope this song can help any young woman in a similar experience to 19-year-old Taylor. The rock-leaning sound and scathing lyrics make this mature song one that you can't help but listen to on repeat. From the very first listen, this song grabbed hold of my emotions. For an album about self-reflection with time, this song serves its purpose perfectly.

Happy listening!