Before we dive into the ranking, we need to make some things clear. A ranking of albums from a discography that has – in my humble opinion, and yes, I'm biased – no bad apples will differ for everyone. Depending on what you appreciate most in Taylor Swift songs, your list might look wildly different. Are you a fan of the classics? Do you enjoy the catchy, happy-go-lucky tunes? Or do you like to suffer on your bathroom floor to some of the most heartbreaking lyrics? Depending on your mood, your favorite album might even change on a daily basis.
Point being: even after asking fellow Swifties for their ranking, there's no clear winner here. That's what the comments are for, though – let us know what your ranking looks like!
Let's start off with the low-hanging fruit here: the self-titled debut album. There are times when fans miss the heavy accent, but one thing was pretty clear from the get-go: Taylor Swift likes her dramatic performances. Who could forget the iconic Should've Said No performance while being drenched in artificial rain? With that song, as well as Picture To Burn or Our Song, it's still a good album if you're into the country girl vibe. I sure am.
Many of you will probably gasp at this one: why the hell is reputation so low on the list? Please keep the pitchforks to yourself, I can explain! Of course, reputation was one hell of a "comeback album" and Dr. Taylor Swift didn't play around on that one. Sitting in the trenches for months and then getting this album? Absolutely iconic. With banger tracks like Getaway Car or Dancing With Our Hands Tied, but also sweet songs like New Year's Day or Gorgeous, reputation strikes a solid balance between girlboss energy and being in love.
Why so low, then? Simple: We're still waiting for Taylor's Version. Albums owned by her deserve a higher place in my ranking.
There are so many legendary songs on Speak Now (Taylor's Version) that it physically pains me to have it so low on the list. Mine, Enchanted, Dear John, Mean, Speak Now, Better Than Revenge and Haunted? Also, Long Live – a song for the fans – is on Speak Now, so that's a huge plus as well. There's nearly no reason to skip a single song on this album, and that doesn't even include the bonus tracks we got with Taylor's Version – especially Foolish One lives rent-free in my head, because Dr. Swift is right and her going "La la la la la" on repeat while I remember that I am, in fact, foolish, is a very special experience to have in life.
Speaks for her other albums that they rank even higher. Or am I foolish in this regard as well?
There are exactly two reasons why Fearless (Taylor's Version) ranks higher than Speak Now in my book: Love Story and You Belong With Me. I have yet to meet a single soul that doesn't at least bop their head whenever I get a hold of the AUX-cable or get access to the Spotify playlist that's on and add those two songs to the mix. Also, The Other Side Of The Door has an absolutely underrated bridge, and listening to The Way I Loved You with a bottle of wine in the bathtub while in a state of utter distress has been life-changing. I really worked through some stuff with that one, folks. Thanks for helping out there, Taylor.
I know what I said – no Taylor's Version, I'm sorry. But Lover has so many great songs on it, I'll make an exception – it is my ranking and I make the rules. So, ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
Special mentions for this one: Cruel Summer and Death By A Thousand Cuts! The Archer also holds a top spot, and The Man is a great song to hype yourself up for a difficult conversation. Step up for yourselves, girls!
It's time for witchcraft – we have reached evermore. The album is on the less exciting side and doesn't really have songs to dance to on it, but one of the biggest strengths of Taylor Swift is her English Teacher vibe – and it shows on evermore. 'Tis The Damn Season, Dorothea, Marjorie, Tolerate It, Willow, Right Where You Left Me... Do I need to say more? Get yourself a dictionary and be swept up in the "sad girl autumn."
Also, Champagne Problems. Screaming the bridge is something everyone should experience at least once. It's cathartic.
Midnights is an album that grows on you the more you listen to it. Obviously, Anti-Hero is a catchy song, but not even the best one on there – and that's saying something. Would've, Could've, Should've, and You're On Your Own, Kid have absolutely insane bridges, we've got songs to dance to with Karma and Bejeweled, her infamous performance with the chair from the Eras Tour has probably awoken something in some Swifties, and we have criminally underrated songs like The Great War, Sweet Nothing and Dear Reader on Midnights. Seriously, why don't I see more people talking about the last three?
Also, You're Losing Me. Come on.
With Red (Taylor's Version), we come straight to one song in particular that's iconic: All Too Well (10 Minute Version). We all know what to do with the patriarchy, right? Red has some really hard-hitting songs on it: The Moment I Knew or I Almost Do come to mind. Feel like dancing? How about Starlight, 22 or my personal favorite Holy Ground? Ronan also holds a special place, even though it's hard to stomach.
And while we're here: check out the live rock version of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, or as I call it: my Roman Empire.
You've been waiting for it, and here it is: 1989 (Taylor's Version). Songs that everyone, even non-Swifties, know like Blank Space, Shake It Off, Bad Blood and Wildest Dreams are obviously high up on the list, but 1989 has more than those tracks we hear on the radio. Clean. Wonderland. New Romantics. Out Of The Woods. The list goes on! And with Taylor's Version, we got amazing songs like Say Don't Go and Is It Over Now – Dr. Swift, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for those.
Cardigan. The 1. Seven. folklore is lyricist Taylor in her prime. We even have the story of a love-triangle in the form of songs in there – she's a storyteller at heart, and I am here for it. This Is Me Trying is a song for all the eldest daughters and gifted children out there, which is greatly appreciated and singing both parts of exile is something I highly recommend while taking a shower.
Also, on folklore, she put the picture of a key lime green dog in our heads. That's an accomplishment.
Yes, I am one of those people. The Tortured Poets Department has it all in my book and I will die on this hill. At the peak of her career while also doing the Eras Tour, the mad lad managed to put out an album with over thirty songs – talk about productivity.
We've got the songs to dance to, we've got the tearjerkers, we've got the songs to giddily kick our legs to and we've got girlboss energy in the form of songs – sometimes, all these things even come together in a single track, depending on how you want to interpret them. Looking at you, I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.
Honorary mentions on The Tortured Poets Department: Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me, So Long, London and every other track on there, honestly. Show some more love for I Hate It Here, The Bolter and The Prophecy, though! Way too few people seem as obsessed with those songs as I deem appropriate.
And now, let me ask again – what does your ranking look like? Let us know in the comments!
Taylor Swift is one of the biggest artist in recent years, and she has broken record after record – most of which were her own, but girl doesn't know when to stop being great, it seems. Let's take a look at all of her albums – here's a Swiftie's ranking!
