Hi all! 

Welcome to a brand new segment on my blog! Each month, I will rank Taylor Swift’s track #1’s, #2,’s, #3’s etc – finishing with track #12’s in December. However, once TS13 is released, I will do a dedicated post ranking her track #13’s and so on. A quick disclaimer, I am going to be including The Anthology, as it is a full album. I will not be including vault tracks. If you wish to see my vault rankings for Fearless, Speak Now, Red & 1989 TV, click here. 

Today I will be tackling Taylor’s album openers. It’s okay if you disagree. This is just my opinion. Without further ado, let’s get into it! 

1.) Fearless 

My favourite Taylor Swift album opener is Fearless. I bought this album when it first came out; playing track #1 on repeat. It’s such a magical and whimsical song – tying in the entire theme of the record. The opening chords became even more special to me after seeing the Era’s Tour. I was so emotional witnessing Taylor skip out on stage, guitar in hand. 

Favourite lyric: “Absent mindedly makin’ me want you.”

2.) Tim McGraw

In second place, we have the one that started it all – Tim McGraw. You can tell I’ve been a fan since the beginning. I truly hope we get Debut TV this year to mark the 20th anniversary of its release. There is something so special about this song. It really put Taylor on the map; cementing that country music is for anyone, even young girls. Whenever it comes on, I can’t help but think of a nostalgic summer romance. 

Favourite lyric: “When you think happiness, I hope you think that little black dress.”

3.) State of Grace 

In third place, we have State of Grace. I cannot believe Taylor kicked off Red in this way. It contains some of her best writing; capturing that tumultous, passionate and wild love you know won’t last and yet, you’re hooked. The acoustic version might just be even better. I cannot imagine my top three ever changing. Those early album openers really were something. 

Favourite lyric: “This is the golden age of something good and right and real.”

4.) The Fate of Ophelia 

Surprisingly, The Fate of Ophelia made my top four! Maybe it’s recency bias but this the best album opener/lead single we’ve had from Taylor in a while. It’s poetic, yet so catchy. A real earworm. It also has an incredible music video. Taylor is comparing herself to fictional character, Ophelia, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. However, instead of drowning due to the actions of frightful men, her fiancé, Travis Kelce, saved her with his love.

Favourite lyric: “You wrap around me like a chain, a crown, a vine. Pulling me into the fire.”

5.) Willow 

In fifth place, we have Willow, from my favourite Taylor Swift record: Evermore. The Eras Tour really brought this song to life with the golden orbs and stage production. The melody is ethereal, featuring a witchy/fantastical vibe. I am intoxicated every single time I listen to it. I adore the opening chords and darker tones. It feels like a winter/autumn track; setting itself apart from the spring/summer energy of Folklore’s: The 1. 

Favourite lyric: “Every bait and switch was a work of art.”

6.) Mine 

In sixth place, we have Mine. Despite Speak Now being in my top three favourite Taylor Swift albums, the opening track is lower on my list because it doesn’t reference anything rooted in reality. There is more of a detachment there. Having said that, it’s still higher on my list for a reason. It’s such a beautiful, mature song. Taylor envisioned what the perfect love would look like and sang about it. I like to think she manifested it with Travis. 

Favourite lyric: “You made a rebel of a careless man’s careful daughter.”

7.) Fortnight 

In seventh place, we have Fortnight, featuring Post Malone. I am always in the mood to listen to this song. Taylor has confirmed it explores the theme of fatalism. She took the miracle ‘move on’ drug with Matty Healy but the effects were temporary. It ended up ruining her life. I love the music video and the way it perfectly set the scene for The Tortured Poet’s Department. 

Favourite lyric: “I love you; it’s ruining my life.” 

8.) The 1 

In eighth place, we have the The 1. I truly do enjoy this song, just not as much as the ones mentioned above. It’s a track we can only understand with hindsight. Taylor initially passed Folklore off as a work of fiction. However, on the Era’s Tour, she revealed it was a lot more diaristic than we realised. She was wistfully dreaming of Matty Healy and what could’ve been. Little did she know…

Favourite lyric: “You know the greatest films of all time were never made.” 

9.) The Black Dog 

It pains me putting The Black Dog so low but unfortunately it has dropped in my ranking over time. 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. By the end, she is so weary from this person consuming her, she wants her inner demons exorcised.

Favourite lyric: “Even if I die screaming.” 

10.) Ready For It 

This is a very controversial placement for Ready For It but I have to be honest. I love the opening chords, especially during the Reputation set on the Era’s Tour, but the track itself doesn’t do a whole lot for me. It signalled the beginning of her relationship with Joe Alwyn, but it was also a bit delusional in hindsight. I tend to skip it whenever it comes on. Sorry!

Favourite lyric: “In the middle of the night, in my dreams.”

11.) Lavender Haze 

Third last, we have Lavender Haze from the Midnights album. Taylor shares how tired she is of people asking when she’s going to get married and have children. She just wants to stay in her Lavender Haze; ignoring the societal expectations placed on women. We now know she was lying to protect herself, but on some level, we always knew. It’s a bit disingenious, hence its placement. Having said that, I love a dreamy bop. 

Favourite lyric: “I’ve been under scrutiny; you’ve handled it beautifully.” 

12.) Welcome to New York 

In second last place, we have Welcome to New York from 1989. I literally never listen to this song. I have no connection to it, nor do I particularly care for it. I think it’s an effective album opener for the theme of the record but personally, it’s not a favourite. The production is fun though. It would be great to play as you fly into New York. 

Favourite lyric: “The lights are so bright, but they never blind me.” 

13.) I Forgot That You Existed

My least favourite album opener is I Forgot That You Existed on Lover. I’m so frustrated Cruel Summer wasn’t the first song off the record. That was a huge missed opportunity! This track just feels forced to me. Taylor clearly wanted to prove she was over the events of Reputation but it’s too on the nose. There is something about this number that feels like nails down a chalkboard. Ouch! 

Favourite lyric: “It isn’t love, it isn’t hate, it’s just indifference.” 

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank Taylor’s Track #1’s? 

Peace & Love xoxo