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 #9’s. What a great group of songs! It’s okay if you disagree. It’s just my opinion. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1.) Getaway Car 

In first place, I have Getaway Car from Reputation. This song has always been one of my favourites – of all time. It has the best metaphor, lyrical double-meanings, storytelling, hook, production, bridge etc. Imagine my meltdown when I got it as a surprise song Melbourne night #2 of the Era’s Tour! Not to mention, it was mashed up with August and The Other Side Of The Door! If you didn’t already know, the “getaway car” is symbolic of a rebound. I like how Taylor owns her mistakes in this track; essentially admitting to using Tom Hiddleston in order to escape her unsatisfying relationship with Calvin Harris. It’s perfect. We don’t need the re-recording. Those Rep vaults on the other hand…

Favourite lyric: “Think about the place where you first met me.” 

2.) Guilty As Sin? 

In second place, I have Guilty As Sin? from The Tortured Poet’s Department. This is one of the best songs she has ever written. It’s full of longing, fantasy and sensuality. In this track, Taylor confesses that toward the end of her long-term relationship, she was yearning for Matty Healy, who seduced her with music. She questioned whether her impure thoughts alone made her a bad person. True fans will pick up on the lore scattered throughout. There are nods to Labyrinth from Midnights and “longings locked in lower-case inside a vault.” Reputation TV anyone? Not to mention, it has the most intoxicating hook and production. It also reveals just how deeply this man haunted her throughout the years. Obsessed!

Favourite lyric: “Oh, what a way to die.” 

3.) Cornelia Street

In third place, I have Cornelia Street from Lover. This song is a personal favourite of mine from the album. I’ve always admired how brave it is. It isn’t easy to admit to yourself, let alone the world, that you’re terrified of your relationship ending. It’s super relatable. Every couple has their own thing or place that could not be revisited, should things fall apart. For Taylor, it was Cornelia Street. It was also very telling of her insecurities surrounding Joe Alwyn. She knew it was a ‘delicate’ situation from the start. The production is so light and airy – it makes me think of a crisp early morning in New York City. I just love it. It’s such a highlight from the record. 

Favourite lyric: “We were a fresh page on the desk. Filling in the blanks as we go.” 

4.) Enchanted

In fourth place, I have Enchanted from Speak Now. I’m sure it would be most people’s #1 but at least it made my top 5! Not only is the songwriting top-notch, the production sounds exactly like the title: glittery, sparkly, magical, enchanting etc. No wonder Taylor chose to perform it over any other song from the album on the Era’s Tour (aside from Long Live). She wrote it after meeting Adam Young from Owl City. He clearly made quite the impression on her – and her on him, because he released his own track in response. Furthermore, the term Wonderstruck, led to the release of Swift’s popular fragrance by the same name, which fans still hope she will restock someday. The impact! 

Favourite lyric: “Counter all your quick remarks. Like passing notes in secrecy.” 

5.) Wood 

In fifth place, I have Wood from The Life of a Showgirl. Innuendo be damned, this is one of the catchiest numbers on the record. Pre-release, everyone was speculating what it would be about. Superstitions? Naughty metaphors? Why not both? Taylor channels the Jackson 5 on this song, crooning about how she used to wish on falling stars, but with Travis in her life, she doesn’t need to anymore. Together, they make their own luck. Do we need to address the HUGE elephant in the room? I mean, that’s half the fun. Taylor is being silly and flirty, implying her man’s package broke her streak of bad luck. All I can say to that is: “good for you girl!” 

Favourite lyric: “It’s you and me forever dancing in the dark. All over me, it’s understood, I ain’t got to knock on wood.” 

6.) Bejeweled 

About halfway, I have Bejeweled from Midnights. This is the definition of a glitter gel pen song. It’s fun, sparkly and full of good vibes. It also has the best music video! I like to believe it’s about her re-recordings. When she sings: “haven’t you heard, I can reclaim the land”, I pretend she’s talking about taking back her music. The visuals further affirm my theory, as different coloured stones resembling her albums, fly onto her corset. However, it’s likely to be about Joe keeping her in the basement; not letting her be Bejeweled. 

Favourite lyric: “I can still make the whole place shimmer.” 

7.) Wildest Dreams

In seventh place, I have Wildest Dreams from 1989. I would wager this song has the best music video. Taylor has never confirmed who it’s about. Rather, she described it as more of a feeling; knowing a relationship is going to end someday, yet still hoping the person will remember you fondly aferward. I love her breathy vocals and the dreamy production, plus the way it builds in the bridge to a satisfying crescendo. It’s no wonder she won Album of the Year when it featured tracks like this! 

Favourite lyric: “Someday when you leave me. I bet these memories. Follow you around.” 

8.) You’re Not Sorry

You’re Not Sorry from Fearless is so underrated! It’s Should’ve Said No’s older, more mature sister (see below). I’m also a massive fan of the re-recording. In this breakup song, Taylor has given up on the relationship; her partner’s repeated apologies meaningless. There is nowhere left to go, nor will he ever change. The tone is one of disappointment, over anger. Despite all her best efforts, she cannot forgive him any longer. I love the drawn out “no’s” toward the end and how they become sadder. Don’t sleep on this track!

Favourite lyric: “And now you’re asking me to listen. Cause it’s worked each time before.” 

9.) I Look In People’s Windows

Coming in ninth, I have I Look In People’s Windows from The Anthology. This might be 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 believe it’s a metaphor for stalking people on social media. There is a lot of wondering and pining throughout the lyrics. It kills her not knowing what could’ve been, which is explored a lot in Midnights. The entire track feels like it takes place during the darker hours. Such an underrated gem.

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

10.) Coney Island

Coney Island from Evermore has grown on me, however, it’s still low on this list compared to some of Taylor’s other track 9’s. It’s about two lovers that had a lot of potential, yet fizzled out unexpectedly. In the second verse, Matt Berninger from The National, takes on the male perspective. Their relationship has been pushed to the edge and he feels responsible. I love the acoustic guitar and darker undertones. In hindsight, it makes sense in the context of her past relationship with Joe Alwyn. 

Favourite lyric: “And do you miss the rogue who coaxed you into paradise and left you there?” 

11.) Should’ve Said No

Coming in third-last, I have Should’ve Said No from Debut. I’ve been a Swiftie since the beginning and ironically, this song used to be one of my favourites. It has dropped significantly since but I still like it. It’s so quintessentially country Taylor. It was inspired by her real-life ex-boyfriend, Sam Armstrong, who was unfaithful to her. I don’t really have any negatives, just that it’s not one I listen to regularly anymore. Perhaps the re-recorded version will restore my love for it! 

Favourite lyric: “Was it worth it? Was she worth this?” 

12.) This Is Me Trying

In second last place, I have This Is Me Trying from Folklore. I think I need to be in the mood to listen to it. It’s quite melancholic; focusing on themes of depression and mental health. Having said that, I was very happy to receive it as a surprise song on The Era’s Tour. Taylor kept repeating “at least I’m trying” on the piano, which was quite beautiful. It was also the perfect pandemic anthem – when everyone felt so rattled by the state of the world. I’m not reaching for it on Spotify but I appreciate its importance. 

Favourite lyric: “And my words shoot to kill when I’m mad. I have a lot of regrets about that.” 

13.) Stay Stay Stay 

In last place, I have Stay Stay Stay from Red. I don’t dislike this song. It’s actually quite catchy. The writing is just a bit too juvenile for me. What I do like, aside from the upbeat production, is Taylor‘s ability to once again predict her future with Travis. In the first verse, the subject of the track comes into the room wearing a football helmet. Who knew? Thank the lord her marriage is a lot healthier than the one she was singing about! 

Favourite lyric: “You took the time to memorise me. My fears, my hopes and dreams.” 

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank Taylor’s Track #8’s?

Peace & Love xoxo