Taylor Swift’s Musical Journey: A Ranking of Her Albums
In the summer of embracing girlhood, recent events have shown a significant shift in celebrating femininity. One noteworthy example was the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, a film that beautifully delves into the complexities of womanhood, setting a new record for the largest opening weekend by a female director. Additionally, Taylor Swift’s concerts have been drawing enthusiastic fans, both young and old, who come together to enjoy her music, bond over friendship bracelets, and revel in the freedom of self-expression through their attire.
While Taylor Swift’s music is enjoyed by people of all genders, this summer feels particularly fitting for revisiting her discography, celebrating big female emotions. Traditionally, elements like Taylor Swift’s music, Barbie dolls, and romantic comedies, among others, have been belittled and considered frivolous, mainly enjoyed by women and girls. However, the recent shift in attitudes has finally given regular female joy the recognition it deserves. Female friendships and feminism have received some appreciation in the past, but now, there’s a spotlight on the simple happiness that comes from embracing oneself.
Despite Taylor Swift’s successful career spanning 17 years, it’s only recently that some individuals are starting to take her work more seriously. However, for those who have been her fans since her early days, there was never any doubt about her talent and abilities. As she grew from a teenager to a carefree twenty-something and into adulthood, her fans have journeyed through each era with her, sharing the highs and lows of life.
Ranking Taylor Swift’s albums can be an incredibly challenging task because each of her records showcases exceptional songwriting, style, and memorable stories that resonate with listeners for a lifetime. It’s rare to find any noticeable misses in her discography, as Swift’s music is filled with infectious hooks that captivate audiences. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her artistic brilliance multiple times, making it difficult to establish a definitive ranking.
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For this particular exercise, we decided to exclude any external press noise or the background stories surrounding each album’s release. Instead, we focused solely on the listening experience itself. We aimed to determine which albums deliver the most powerful impact, where Swift reveals her vulnerability, self-assurance, and artistic confidence. Moreover, we wanted to identify the albums that will continue to withstand the test of time.
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With Taylor Swift having released her 10th original studio album, “Midnights,” last October, and currently embarking on a career-spanning “Eras” mega-tour setting new records, this ranking celebrates the flourishing of female emotions and all the captivating eras Swift has treated her fans to, especially the dazzling one we are experiencing right now. Let’s proceed to rank all her albums, purely for the fun of it.
10. Taylor Swift (2006)
“Taylor Swift” is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released in 2006. The album marked the beginning of her music career and introduced her to the country music scene. It features a blend of country-pop songs that showcase her storytelling abilities and heartfelt emotions.
Notable tracks from the album include “Tim McGraw,” which was her first single and gained significant attention, “Teardrops on My Guitar,” a poignant ballad about unrequited love, and “Our Song,” a sweet and catchy tune that became her first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
“Taylor Swift” received positive reviews from critics and helped establish Swift as a rising star in the music industry. Although her sound has evolved since her debut, this album remains an important part of her discography and holds a special place in the hearts of her early fans.
9. Lover (2019)
“Lover” is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released in 2019. This album marks a departure from the edgier sound of her previous album, “reputation,” and returns to a more pop-centric and romantic style.
“Lover” features a mix of upbeat and heartfelt songs that revolve around themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery. The title track, “Lover,” is a tender and nostalgic love song that celebrates a deep connection. Other notable tracks include “You Need to Calm Down,” which carries a message of LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance, and “ME!” featuring Brendon Urie, a lively anthem about embracing individuality.
The album received positive reviews from critics who praised its catchy melodies, emotional lyrics, and the return to Taylor Swift’s signature storytelling style. Fans embraced “Lover” for its hopeful and optimistic tone, making it a commercial success worldwide.
“Lover” further solidified Taylor Swift’s status as a prominent pop artist, and the album’s success contributed to her numerous accolades and achievements in the music industry.
8. Reputation (2017)
“Reputation” is the sixth studio album by Taylor Swift, released in 2017. It represents a significant shift in her music style and image, showcasing a more edgy and dark persona compared to her previous works
The album is influenced by pop and electropop genres, and it delves into themes of fame, media scrutiny, love, and self-redemption. Swift’s lyrics reflect her experiences with public scrutiny and various controversies, and she addresses them with a defiant and unapologetic tone. Notable tracks include “Look What You Made Me Do,” where she confronts her critics, and “Delicate,” a song about a delicate new romance amidst her reputation’s chaos.
“reputation” received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Swift’s bold experimentation, while others felt it lacked the emotional depth of her earlier work. Nevertheless, the album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and earning several chart-topping singles.
While “reputation” might have been a divisive album for some fans and critics, it marked an important phase in Taylor Swift’s career, showcasing her ability to evolve and take artistic risks. It set the stage for her subsequent albums, proving her resilience and versatility as a musician.
7. Speak Now (2010/2023)
“Speak Now” is the third studio album by Taylor Swift, initially released in 2010 and subsequently re-released in 2023 as part of her re-recordings project. This album is unique as it represents Taylor Swift’s first entirely self-written record, where she penned all the songs without co-writers.
The album’s songs revolve around personal experiences, relationships, and emotions, with Swift’s signature storytelling style shining through. Notable tracks include “Mine,” a love song that reflects on the complexities of relationships, “Back to December,” where she apologizes for past mistakes, and “Mean,” a defiant anthem against critics and naysayers.
Upon its original release in 2010, “Speak Now” received critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming a fan-favorite and solidifying Swift’s position as a talented singer-songwriter in the country-pop genre. The 2023 re-release was part of her effort to reclaim ownership of her master recordings after her previous label disputes.
“Speak Now” continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike for its authenticity, heartfelt lyrics, and memorable melodies. It remains an essential part of Taylor Swift’s discography and holds a special place in the hearts of her dedicated followers.
Taylor Swift’s 10th album, “Midnights,” demonstrates her strategic approach to image-making. Unlike her previous album, “Reputation,” which was devoted to shaping her public image and seeking revenge, “Midnights” takes a more subtle and cryptic approach. Marketed as a concept album, Swift presents it as “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life,” allowing fans and critics to interpret the album’s aesthetic while still maintaining control over the narrative.
“Midnights” reflects Swift’s unique vision and artistry. It’s like an all-nighter where she takes charge and shapes the album into an on-brand creation. The album explores themes of depression, insomnia, and karma, as showcased in the techno-y track “Anti-Hero,” where Swift confronts her own demons and targets her enemies with her lyrical prowess.
One of the album’s strengths is its lack of pressure to produce bombastic radio hits, allowing Swift to focus on making great pop songs with restraint. Her music has matured alongside her, capturing the essence of twentysomethings becoming thirtysomethings. “Midnights” can be likened to her previous albums like “1989” and “Reputation” in terms of style, but it features a glassy and splashy poptronica sound.
Throughout her career, Swift’s lyrics have always been a standout element, and “Midnights” is no exception. They cut like glass and cast a spell, making her a true pop royalty. Taylor Swift’s storytelling prowess remains unparalleled, making her a mastermind in the music industry, and ensuring that her music will always resonate deeply with her fans.
