Caroline Darney
April 16, 2024 11:36 am ET
It’s the week of April 19, which means we’ve made it. New Taylor Swift music will hit the airwaves on Friday with the release of The Tortured Poets Department. It’s Swift’s 11th studio album and has been highly anticipated since the singer-songwriter announced it at the Grammy Awards.
MORE: All the Taylor Swift Tortured Poets Department bonus tracks and variations that have been announced
In order to prepare for the onslaught of new music, we are taking on the frankly impossible challenge of ranking the 14-time Grammy winner’s 40 best songs. This is the opposite of whatever you would deem scientific as this list would likely shift slightly if we undertook the same project next week.
Let’s get to it. Here are songs 30-21. Each day before the album release, we’ll give you the next 10 until we get to No. 1. Click here to see songs 40-31.
30. King Of My Heart
Album:Reputation
Reputation is expected to be the next re-record album that Swift releases, and I can’t wait to hear how the songs sound. There are so many great options off of Reputation, but “King Of My Heart” feels like one that perfectly encapsulates the vibes of her sixth studio release.
Best Lyric:
Salute to me, I’m your American Queen
And you move to me like I’m a Motown beat
And we rule the kingdom inside my room
‘Cause all the boys and their expensive cars
With their Range Rovers and their Jaguars
Never took me quite where you do
29. Christmas Tree Farm
Album:Christmas Tree Farm (Single)
There haven’t been that many truly good original Christmas songs releases in the last few years — Sia’s Everyday is Chrismas album is one that comes to mind — but “Christmas Tree Farm” is a delight. Swift grew up for a bit on her family’s actual Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania.
Best Lyric:
Sweet dreams of holly and ribbon
Mistakes are forgiven
And everything is icy and blue
And you would be there, too
28. Back To December
Album:Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
“Back To December” is one of Swift’s most iconic post-breakup songs, but one that is an apology more than an indictment. Inspired by her relationship with actor Taylor Lautner, “Back To December” details the regrets and lamentations one can deal with following a break-up of a relationship that just wasn’t meant to be.
Best Lyric:
Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses and I left them there to die
27. champagne problems
Album:evermore
“Champagne problems” is a truly beautiful song that tells the heartbreaking tale of a failed proposal. The line “you had a speech, you’re speechless” has just something so hauntingly sad wrapped up in six words.
Best Lyric:
One for the money, two for the show
I never was ready, so I watch you go
Sometimes you just don’t know the answer
‘Til someone’s on their knees and asks you“She would’ve made such a lovely bride
What a shame she’s [expletive] in the head, ” they said
But you’ll find the real thing instead
She’ll patch up your tapestry that I shred
26. Cornelia Street
Album:Lover
Songs like “Cornelia Street” are where Swift is in her bag. It has imagery brought forth with the lyrics and the ability to relate to the topic that is wrapped up so perfectly in a gorgeous melody that you almost forget that it’s actually devastating.
Best Lyric:
Windows swung right open, autumn air
Jacket ’round my shoulders is yours
We bless the rains on Cornelia Street
Memorize the creaks in the floor
25. 22
Album:Red (Taylor’s Version)
One of Taylor’s most poppy pop songs, and it’s just fun. Perfectly encapsulates the feeling of your early 20s and just trying to make it all work.
Best Lyric:
We’re happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way
It’s miserable and magical, oh, yeah
Tonight’s the night when we forget about the heartbreaks
It’s time, oh-oh
24. The Man
Album:Lover
Swift tackles sexism and discrimination in an upbeat pop hit, but it’s the underlying message that really makes this one stand out. The criticism the pop star has faced certainly feels imbalanced when compared to the men in music, specifically around her dating life and repercussions from it.
Best Lyric:
I’m so sick of running as fast as I can
Wondering if I’d get there quicker
If I was a man
And I’m so sick of them coming at me again
‘Cause if I was a man
Then I’d be the man
23. Electric Touch (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) ft. Fallout Boy
Album:Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
Much like “Foolish One,” this song was a bright spot from the re-released Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) vault. The combination with Fall Out Boy is a winner, and there’s something so hopeful about “Electric Touch” that makes you think that next moment might be the one that starts something beautiful.
Best Lyric:
All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life
Got a feelin’ your electric touch could fill this ghost town up with life
And I want you now, wanna need you forever
In the heat of your electric touch, mmm
22. exile (ft. Bon Iver)
Album:follklore
Two sides of one story about the falling apart of a relationship. It’s beautiful and sad and perfectly underscored with melancholic piano. When we get to Swift and Bon Iver singing their back and forth about whether there were signs or not … it’s so devastatingly wonderful.
Best Lyric:
All this time
I never learned to read your mind (never learned to read my mind)
I couldn’t turn things around (you never turned things around)
‘Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)
So many signs, so many signs
You didn’t even see the signs
21. cardigan
Album:folklore
The folklore hits coming on strong. “Cardigan” is an entire vibe that reminds you of love and loss and being young and growing up. It’s wonderful.
Best Lyric:
A friend to all is a friend to none
Chase two girls, lose the one
When you are young, they assume you know nothin’
