Hi all!

Welcome to a 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 track #2’s. This was SO hard! It’s okay if you disagree. It’s just my opinion. Without further ado, let’s get into it! 

1.) Maroon

My favourite Taylor Swift track #2 is Maroon. The minute I heard the opening chords, I knew it was the song for me. How do I begin to explain why Maroon is the most superior thing she has ever written? She references 10 different shades of red in the lyrics. GENIUS! The melody is so haunting and raw. It’s extremely vulnerable. Not to mention, it has a great Jack Antonoff fade. I have a physical reaction every time I listen to it. I’m still unsure who it’s about, but I would wager Matty Healy after the connection from Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus. 

Favourite lyric: “The rust that grew between telephones.”

2.) Cruel Summer

In second place, we have Taylor’s magnum opus: Cruel Summer. It has the most infectious melodies, a killer double bridge and a wildly successful legacy. It should’ve been Lover’s lead single over ME! Years later, due to the popularity of the Era’s Tour, it broke chart numbers, becoming the album’s fifth lead single. Her power! I believe this song to be about the beginning of her relationship with Joe Alwyn. She was tired of keeping him a secret and pretending she didn’t love him. It will always be one of my favourites.

Favourite lyric: “And I screamed: “For whatever it’s worth, I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?”

3.) Red 

In third place, we have Red. Not only have I loved this song since my early 20’s when it was released, it was my first suprise song at the Era’s Tour. Needless to say, it’s very special to me. Taylor likes to assign colours to her lovers and the shade red, was exactly how she perceived her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal. It was fast, passionate and fleeting. I’ve always been able to relate to this track. My first love felt the same. Those opening chords transport me back to a time and place. I also think the Taylor’s Version is immaculate.

Favourite lyric: “Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes.”

4.) The Tortured Poet’s Department 

The Tortured Poet’s Department is a song I never skip. It sums up the entire message of the standard edition. The production gives an 80’s synth vibe, matching the tone of two individuals who are playing pretend. Taylor calls out Matty for acting like a tortured poet, when really, he’s just a modern idiot. She is sad he promised her the world but didn’t actually follow through with it. When someone leaves after love-bombing you, it’s human nature to question who else will know and love them like you.

Favourite lyric: “Who else decodes you?”

5.) Elizabeth Taylor

Maybe it’s recency bias but I am obsessed with Elizabeth Taylor from The Life of a Showgirl. It’s definitely my favourite song from the album. I was hooked on very first listen and the love has only deepened. That drop in the bass? The hook? The melodies, plus her lower register? Insane! In this track, Taylor is not only comparing herself to the late and great icon, she is hoping her new relationship will work out. Who better to ask than Elizabeth Taylor? She was known for her many husbands; marrying the love of her life, Richard Burton, twice. Furthermore, there are many references to Elizabeth Taylor’s life, such as her favourite spot to frequent at Musso and Frank’s Grill, Portofino (where her and Richard Burton got engaged) and her perfume, White Diamonds. Taylor really sees herself in the Hollywood starlet. They both faced so much adversity from the media and yet, continued to thrive in spite of it. 

Favourite lyric: “I’d cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor.”

6.) End Game 

This might be a controversial placement but I love End Game. It feels even more relevant now that she’s marrying a football player. I get so hyped when I hear “big reputation, big reputation.” I also like Ed’s vocals on this track. Future I could take or leave. Having said that, I have always wondered who she was singing about in this song. It has a romantic angle, yet Joe Alwyn has never had, nor ever will have a big reputation. I do believe someday, when we receive the Reputation vault tracks, we will learn more about the Matty Healy interlude. The lyrics “we tried to forget it, but just couldn’t” gives me pause…

Favourite lyric: “It’s like your eyes are liquor, it’s like your body is gold.”

7.) Blank Space 

There is a reason Taylor submitted Blank Space into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. It’s a perfectly written song. There are so many knock-out lyrics, I struggled to pick just one. At the time, she was labelled by the media/public as a serial dater. Instead of cowering from the misogny, she decided to lean into it – and exaggerate it! The music video is a work of art but it also speaks to Taylor’s sense of humour, creativity and dare I say…pettiness? The only reason it’s lower on my list is because it has been overplayed to death. I tend to feel that way about most of her radio hits. 

Favourite lyric: “Cause, darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”

8.) Fifteen

Fifteen feels like such a warm hug for my inner child. I really love it. The Taylor’s Version is superior as well. It transports you right back to highschool – feeling wildly insecure, naive and innocent. My daughter’s name is Abigail, so I am a bit biased by the multiple mentions of her name in this track. Something so fun about being immersed in the Taylor lore are the serendipitous moments throughout her life. Who would’ve thought she would indeed go on to date the guy on the football team? A song she wrote as a teenager well and truly came full circle!

Favourite lyric: “I didn’t know who I was supposed to be. At fifteen.”

9.) Champagne Problems

I know it’s criminal to put Champagne Problems this low but I do think it’s a little overrated. Taylor co-wrote this song with Joe Alwyn, under the pseudonym: William Bowery. They did enjoy writing break-up songs together – the signs were there! It focuses on a relationship between two people, who are in completely different places in their lives. It’s about not realising the person you’re with, isn’t the one, until you’re faced with the possibility of forever with them. I love the bridge and the melodies; especially after seeing it on the Era’s Tour. However, it’s not my favourite. I tend to skip it. Sorry!

Favourite lyric: “Sometimes you just don’t know the answer. ‘Til someone’s on their knees and asks you.”

10.) Cardigan

As mentioned earlier, Taylor’s lead singles don’t tend to be my favourites. I apologise for putting Cardingan 10th but I have to speak my truth. My issue with this track is its association. When it first came out, fans believed it was about them, or her music. Either/or were a life raft, saving her at her lowest moments. Cut to the Era’s Tour, where Taylor very publicly signalled to Matty Healy that it was about him all along. I think it’s a beautiful song but it has been slightly tainted for that reason. It turns out Folkore was more rooted in reality than we thought! 

Favourite lyric: “Leavin’ like a father. Running like water.”

11.) Picture To Burn 

Picture To Burn is such a good time! I cannot wait for Debut Taylor’s Version! Her mature vocals singing: “I hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive” will heal everything. I love spurned, angsty country Taylor. You can’t help but scream along when this song comes on. Is it her best writing? No, but it doesn’t need to be. She was an angry teen, venting her feelings over a frightful boy. What is more relatable than that? 

Favourite lyric: “So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time.”

12.) Sparks Fly

In second last place, we have Sparks Fly. This is might be my most controversial placement. If I’m being perfectly honest, I’ve never cared for this song. It’s one of my least favourite tracks off of Speak Now. I can’t explain it but I’ve never connected to it. It’s rumoured to be about country singer, Jake Owen, whom she opened for in 2006. I see this song as the theme music for the Speak Now World Tour. It flirts with themes of forbidden romance and longing. There are magical, glittery moments that tie in perfectly with the album, I’m just not playing it. 

Favourite lyric: “Gimme something that’ll haunt me when you’re not around.”

13.) imgonnagetyouback 

In last place, we have imgonnagetyouback from The Anthology. 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 stages of a break-up, 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. I don’t dislike this song, I just find it forgettable.  

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

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank Taylor’s Track #2’s?

Peace & Love xoxo