Hi all!

Today I ranking The Anthology – the second part to Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poet’s Department. If you wish to see how I ranked the standard edition, please click here. We have 15 songs to get through, so let’s get into it!

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A Brief Note on The Anthology 

Taylor has referred to The Anthology as the remains of her tortured poetry. This part of the record isn’t as sonically/thematically cohesive like the standard edition. It feels like an amalgamation of some of her previous eras, such as Evermore, Folklore, Reputation and Midnights. The Anthology explores lots of different concepts. I absolutely adore it. 

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1.) The Bolter  

The Bolter is my favourite track on The Anthology. That song was announced at my Era’s Tour show in Melbourne Night 1 so I have a special connection to it. The production is so uplifting and light. If I had to break it down, I would wager Taylor is referring to herself as The Bolter. She references several past relationships in the lyrics, including a nod to Getaway Car, with the “town car speeding” line. She knows when it’s time to leave a relationship, unafraid to move on the moment the cracks start to show. The track also holds a very empowering message. Just like the time she fell through the ice; she knows she will come out alive. It’s very ‘long story short, I survived.’ That’s probably why I love it so much.

Favourite lyric: “As she was leaving, it felt like breathing.” 

2.) The Black Dog

In second place, we have The Black Dog. Everything about this song is pure perfection. The hook, the bridge, the way the title has a double meaning. In a literal sense, Taylor is referencing a place. She can see her ex-lover spending time there, because he forgot to turn his phone’s location off. She doesn’t understand how he could possibly enjoy himself there without her, unable to relate to a younger generation. In a metaphorical sense, The Black Dog refers to depression. This is greatly felt in the way she sings the lyrics. By the end, she is so weary from this person consuming her, she wants to have her inner demons exorcised. It’s hauntingly beautiful and one of the best songs she’s ever written.

Favourite lyric: “Even if I die screaming.” 

3.) The Albatross  

The minute I heard The Albatross, I thought of Ivy. It has such a witchy and mystical tone. I don’t know how Taylor continues to write such perfect metaphors. In this track, she is the albatross. In the past, men have warned other men about dating her, making her out to be some dangerous creature. By the end, she says what looks to be threatening, is more like an angel. There is nothing to fear, provided she is treated well. 

Favourite lyric: “And you’re persona non grata.” 

4.) I Look In People’s Windows 

This is the shortest song in Taylor’s discography, but it had a hold on me from first listen. It has the prettiest production, with light breathy vocals to match. I Look In People’s Windows could be a metaphor for stalking people on social media. Taylor feels like such an outsider looking in, hoping to catch glimpses of her former lover. There is a lot of wondering and pining throughout the lyrics. It kills her to not know what could’ve been, which is explored a lot in Midnights. The entire track feels like it takes place during the darker hours. It’s such a gem and a favourite of mine.

Favourite lyric: “I’m addicted to the if only.” 

5.) Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus 

Taylor broke my cold, cold heart with this track. It’s so mournful and melancholic. I believe it’s about Matty Healy, as he is known to have dalliances with both males and females. He is also a drug user, which she laments in her lyrics that he needed illicit substances more than her. There is a very interesting line in this song, where she uses the term “scarlet, maroon.” Could Maroon on Midnights have been about Matty all along? What do you think?

Favourite lyric: “If you want to break my cold, cold heart, just say I loved you, the way that you were.”

6.) So High School 

Amidst the tortured poetry, Taylor gifted us with the most uplifting, fun song of all time. This track is about her partner, Travis Kelce. It transports its listeners back to an early 2000’s rom com, with the first plucks of that electric guitar. Taylor feels like a teenager again, full of excitement and girlish glee. She recognises the differences between herself and Travis but celebrates them. It’s nice to hear that she doesn’t feel insecure or wary about Travis, unlike many of her past tracks related to Joe.

Favourite lyric: “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle.” 

7.) The Prophecy 

The Prophecy makes sense as a song at this point in Taylor’s life. She begs the fates above to change an ill-fated prophecy; seeming to predict eternal loneliness for her. Just once, she wants love to turn out well. She is desperate for it, admitting she howls at the moon like a wolf for an everlasting partnership. It’s so honest and heartbreaking. 

Favourite lyric: “I got cursed like Eve got bitten.” 

8.) How Did It End? 

How Did It End is The Anthology’s track 5. Instead of sharing how her long-term relationship fell apart, Taylor expresses her frustration at everyone wanting to know the details. It’s such a relatable concept. Not only do you have to contend with the pain of losing someone, you also have to constantly relive it every time somebody enquires as to what happened. You just want to be left alone. Taylor admits by the end that even she is unsure how to answer that question. Things fall apart sometimes, without rhyme or reason. The vocals at the beginning are my favourite part.

Favourite lyric: “We hereby conduct this postmortem.” 

9.) imgonnagetyouback 

This edgy track gives us more insight into unhinged, wild Taylor. Similar to Olivia Rodrigo’s, Get Him Back, the title has a double meaning. She is either going to get back together with her ex-lover or give him his karma. It details the early stage of a breakup, where things are so tentative, they could go either way. It’s candid and relatable. Sometimes, a relationship has to have many relapses before it’s officially over. Having said that, it isn’t meant to be taken too seriously.

Favourite lyric: “Once you fix your face, I’m going in.”

10.) Cassandra

Cassandra is undoubtedly a throwback to the Reputation era. Taylor compares herself to a legendary figure, that warned those about the impending Trojan War but was scorned. She is definitely calling out those that called her a snake (i.e. the Kanye/Kim situation). People always have a lot to say about a situation they know nothing about, but once the truth is revealed, there is silence. At the time, Taylor felt so alone. She was backed into a corner, with little to no allies. It would have been very isolating. It’s lower down on my list because it’s a topic she has covered extensively before, but it’s still excellent.

Favourite lyric: “I regret to say, do you believe me now?” 

11.) Peter 

Peter is undeniably a metaphor for the children’s story, Peter Pan. Matty Healy has referred to himself as this fictional character many times in the past. In this track, Taylor sings about a romance that had been delayed due to timing. When their moment finally came, her partner was unable to be the man she needed – still stuck in his own perpetual Neverland. As a grown woman (Wendy), she can no longer wait by the window for him. The porch light has been turned off forever. This is absolutely a reference to her song, Cardigan, which we know now, thanks to the Era’s Tour performance Matty attended, is about him.

Favourite lyric: “The goddess of timing, once found us beguiling.” 

12.) I Hate It Here 

I Hate It Here is lower down on my list because I struggle to connect with it. It’s a little bit all over the place in structure and lyricism. I think Taylor is reflecting on her past relationship with Joe and how bored she was. It’s giving Folklore/Evermore era; where Taylor tried to escape to secret gardens in her mind. She was very uninspired and trapped.

Favourite lyric: “I’ll save all my romanticism for my inner life.” 

13.) thanK you aIMee

This song hearkens back to the Reputation era and one Kim Kardashian. Taylor changes her name, but the clues are very obvious! She takes a more mature angle, declaring that without all the drama, she wouldn’t have built a legacy that cannot be undone. Anyone that has been bullied will be able to relate. Similar to Cassandra, this topic has been covered before, so it’s lower down on my list.

Favourite lyric: “That there wouldn’t be this, if there hadn’t been you.”

14.) The Manuscript 

I’m sorry to put The Manuscript so low. It has a fantastic message, and the lyricism is insane, but it’s quite slow in production. It’s giving spoken word more than song. I will say, it’s the perfect album closer. Taylor wraps up her tortured poetry by offering it to her fans. It now belongs to us. I really love that she touches on the All Too Well short film, understanding now what all the pain was for. 

Favourite lyric: “Now and then, I re-read The Manuscript.”

15.) Robin 

In last place, we have Robin. For me, it fits into the category of Epiphany, Bigger Than The Whole Sky, Ronan, Soon You’ll Get Better etc. It just isn’t a track I want to play. I believe it’s about Aaron Dessner’s son, which is lovely, but doesn’t tie in with the overall theme of the album. It’s a lovely tribute. 

Favourite lyric: “Way to go tiger. Higher and higher.” 

Thank you so much for reading! What are you favourite tracks from The Anthology? 

Peace & Love xoxo