Ranking the Most Iconic Taylor Swift Songs of All Time
Factoring in mainstream success, cultural relevance, and her song suit, writing, we sorted and ranked the top ten best Taylor Swift songs of all time.
Swift’s music is everywhere, whether it’s presidential nominee Kamala Harris exiting the stage to “The Man,” Cousin belting out the lyrics to “Love Story” in season two of The Bear, or an Olympic advertisement featuring “Ready For It?” With over 250 songs in her catalog, the release of THE TORTURED POET’S DEPARTMENT, and the Taylor’s Version projects, there is an ever-growing list of songs to choose from. While difficult, we looked at cultural significance, commercial success, and the song quality to determine the top ten best.
10. “You Are In Love”
It is criminal to craft this list without one of her signature love songs. “You Are in Love,” is one of Swift’s rare attempts at writing about a general theme as opposed to a specific circumstance in her life. Production-wise, the song is quite mellow with little change throughout, but lyrically, she perfectly encapsulates the feeling of falling in love. This song also birthed one of her most memorable lines: “And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars/And why I’ve spent my whole life tryin’ to put it into words.”
9. “Getaway Car”
The first half of Reputation is full of upbeat stingers and the second half transitions into some of the singer’s most intimate love songs. Right in the middle is “Getaway Car.” The song starts with her singing, “No, nothin good starts in a getaway car,” in manipulated vocals. This chilling opening is followed by an emotional thrill ride about seeking adrenaline in someone new after leaving someone else. This track seamlessly binds the two halves of Reputation together and contains the album’s best chorus . . . and bridge . . . and verses.
8. “You’re Losing Me”
In this bonus track off Midnights, Swift details the lifeless end of a relationship, in which both parties slowly fade from each other. Starting slow, the song builds momentum to a climatic bridge in which Swift sings, “I wouldn’t marry me either, a pathological people pleaser, who only wanted you to see her.” The song’s mature tone and devastating lyrics make this song stand out and highlight Swift’s range as a writer.
and i wouldn’t marry me either a pathological people pleaser pic.twitter.com/rej6dnYIHu
— vic⋆ (@fitfdecode) August 24, 2023
7. “Blank Space”
Swift has always used her music to push or combat a narrative. This razor-sharp pop song is a satirical response to critiques that she was boy crazy. She playfully calls herself “a nightmare dressed as a daydream,” as she waltzes around a mansion terrorizing men in the music video. This song proved that she could write poignant and targeted lyrics in the guise of a fun pop song, paving the way for later tracks like “But Daddy I Love Him” and “The Man.”
6. “The Prophecy”
The artist has written many songs about the highs and lows of romance, and “The Prophecy” furthers this by asking an age-old question: Will we ever find lasting love? Unfortunately, there is no answer and Swift doesn’t try to give one. That doesn’t stop her from wallowing in these relatable fears and insecurities. Beautifully produced by Aaron Desner, “The Prophecy” is equally as poetic as it is dark.
i don’t think you understand the prophecy is one of her saddest songs she’s ever written. pic.twitter.com/paGqjKQvtG
— everslay⸆⸉ ♡ (@everslay13) April 22, 2024
5. “Cruel Summer”
When Lover came out in 2019, fans begged her to make “Cruel Summer” a single. Four years later, when Swift embarked on the Era’s Tour, the song took off, going number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The upbeat pop banger detailed the heartbreak of a “situationship” before Gen-Z latched onto the term. Complete with one of her catchiest bridges yet, “Cruel Summer” quickly became one of the star’s most recognizable and colorful pop songs.
the things i would do to be in a sold out stadium screaming the cruel summer bridge again pic.twitter.com/w8yTLnlKWS
— iza (@wIwsfilm) September 2, 2024
4. “Enchanted”
Swift has always infused theatrics and melodrama into her music, but “Enchanted” takes it to another level. Written about someone she met once, the song details the fluttery feelings of a new crush and how tempting it is to long for more. “Enchanted” is truly enchanting, complete with a grand orchestra and some of her most raw and passionate vocals. Forget painting a picture, this song feels like watching an entire movie.
3. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”
While Swift and her most devoted fans have always cherished the original version of “All Too Well.” The rereleased 10-minute version in 2021, reinvigorated and added to the love for this melancholic breakup anthem. With lyrics like “You kept me like a secret, but I kept like an oath,” her “All Too Well” cemented her as a master lyricist and vibrant poet. The ten-minute version also has an award-winning emotionally charged short film.
2. “You Belong With Me”
“You Belong With Me” is arguably the quintessential crush song; pining after someone unavailable, and pleading, “Can’t you see, you belong with me,” is a cut-and-dry yet resonant approach to unrequited love. Videos have shown that even boyfriends and dads know every lyric proving that while one of her first hits, the song has never lost momentum.
1. “Style”
After complaints that Swift only wrote about men, she doubled down in the opposite direction by using her ex, Harry Styles’ last name for the title. This synth-pop song about the legacy of an electrifying relationship has become a timeless classic. The opening, including a pulsing bass and the first line, “Midnight,” has become the most recognizable intro to a Swift song. The dynamic highs and lows that warrant a windows-down scream session only add to the grandiosity of her best song yet.
Check out the Grammy-winning songstress’s entire discography here.
