More than just folklore, folks
By Rommel Mercado
In celebration of Taylor Swift’s 32nd birthday, we asked a devout Swiftie to rank the pop star’s best songs in the last decade. It is not easy, but this list is pretty much a crash course on the Grammy-winning artist’s latest discography.
20. ‘Don’t Blame Me,’ Reputation (2017)
This might be our (Swifties) worship song in an imaginary world where Taylor’s music is our religion.
Best line:
“Lord, save me, my drug is my baby
I'd be usin' for the rest of my life”
19. ‘Cornelia Street,’ Lover (2019)
This song makes you feel frightened about the idea of losing someone you have known for the longest time when everything around you reminds you of him.
Best line:
“And I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends”
18. ‘Coney Island,’ Evermore (2020)
If you lost someone just because you took them for granted and nostalgia is hitting you hard, this song is a must-listen.
Best line:
“Sorry for not making you my centerfold”
17. ‘Call It What You Want,’ Reputation (2017)
This is the anthem for those “you and me against the world” type of relationships. Just for someone who can and will always love you at your worst.
Best line:
“Not because he owns me
But 'cause he really knows me”
16. ‘Nothin New,’ Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
Probably, the most relatable vault track from Red (Taylor’s Version), for me, as it brought back the anxious feeling of being left behind.
Best line:
“How can a person know everything at 18 but nothing at 22?”
15. ‘Happiness,’ Evermore (2020)
How can Taylor write a very sad song contrary to its title? Yup, she betrayed us all when first heard this song because we were not laughing, we were wailing.
Best line:
“After giving you the best I had
Tell me what to give after that”
14. ‘Long Story Short,’ Evermore (2020)
This is one of the few Taylor songs I used to hate but love them now. *Long story short,* this is the I-finally-found-you song we can dedicate to new beginnings.
Best line:
“Your nemeses
Will defeat themselves before you get the chance to swing”
13. ‘Begin Again,’ Red (2012) and Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
Personally, the best closing track for any Taylor Swift album. Hear it for yourself.
Best line:
“I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again”
12. ‘I Knew You Were Trouble,’ Red (2012)
This is the blueprint of Taylor’s pop songs and the mother of them all. I always play this song back in 2012 on loop just because I was addicted to its beat drop and bass (especially through headsets and earphones).
Best line:
“Flew me to places I'd never been
Now I'm lying on the cold hard ground”
11. ‘Style,’ 1989 (2014)
This is the perfect song for runways and road trips as it has arguably one of the best hooks in any Taylor song.
Best line:
“And I should just tell you to leave 'cause I
Know exactly where it leads, but I
Watch us go 'round and 'round each time”
10. ‘This Is Me Trying,’ Folklore (2020)
Same as number 14, used to hate but now, I adore and love this song immaculately. Listen to its live version on Spotify, “This Is Me Trying” (Long Pond Studio Sessions), and please try not to cry.
Best line:
“I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting”
9. ‘Lover,’ Lover (2019)
Okay, just imagine having this as your wedding song when you walk down that aisle? Or maybe the song you play on your first dance, right?
Best line:
“All's well that ends well to end up with you”
8. ‘’Tis The Damn Season,’ Evermore (2020)
We really had a love-hate relationship for most of Folklore and Evermore tracks. But this one naturally became one of the best songs (especially knowing that she wrote it while drunk) and it’s a shame it’s underrated.
Best line:
“And the road not taken looks real good now”
7. ‘Wildest Dreams,’ 1989 (2014)
When this first came out in 2014, I was shookt as it was her first song where she got a little sexual. Also, its music video is top tier, must watch.
Best line:
“Someday when you leave me
I bet these memories
Follow you around”
6. ‘Peace,’ Folklore (2020)
Top 3 on Folklore album tracks and no one should question this. Being one of the last tracks on the album, it’s worth the wait.
Best line:
“But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade ocean wave blues come”
5. ‘Champagne Problems,’ Evermore (2020)
If you’ll ask Swifties for their top tracks from the Evermore album, this song never fails to make everyone’s list. Amazing storytelling with catchy hooks through simple piano chords.
Best line:
“Sometimes you just don't know the answer
'Til someone's on their knees and asks you”
4. ‘Better Man,’ Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
I was so glad we finally got to hear Taylor sing it and decided to put it as a vault track in Red ( Taylor’s Version) album. Finally, I don’t have to stream the cut version on YouTube where she played it live at the Bluebird Cafe.
Best line:
“And I gave to you my best and we both know you can't say that”
3. ‘Blank Space,’ 1989 (2014)
When Taylor Swift turned the tables and played the character everyone wants her to be, she got her longest number hit on Billboard Hot 100. That was epic.
Best line:
“'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream”
2. ‘August,’ Folklore (2020)
I will never get tired of playing this song on loop every day. It evokes a nostalgic and charming feeling whenever I listen to it. The last minute of this song will definitely make you fall in love with it. The anthem for all of us marurupoks.
Best line:
“And then canceled my plans
Just in case you'd call?
Back when I was living for the hope of it all”
1. ‘All too Well,’ Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
Her magnum opus, every Swiftie’s favorite child. Yes, this is the song everyone is talking about. And I guess, we demanded enough (or too much) for so long to have her released its 10-minute version (as a gift to us) plus a short film and a live acoustic performance in SNL.
Best line:
“And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
Best Line on 10 min version
You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath”