Chart topper hits, record-breaking world tour, biggest-selling albums – at this stage, everything is going all too well for Taylor Swift. And the reigning queen of music isn’t going out of style anytime soon, with more tour dates and re-recordings of her old albums on the way. While we wait for Swift’s next move, let’s revisit her past albums and see what made them impossible to shake off.
Are you ready for it?
Speak Now
Released in 2010, Swift’s third studio album is a follow-up to the Grammy Album of the Year winner Fearless. Living up to the mega success of Fearless couldn’t have been more daunting, but Taylor proved that her country-meets-pop sound combined with her relatable lyrics was enough to hook Swifties back in droves. The album went 6-time platinum and its third single "Mean" won the Grammy for Best Country Song. The album was eventually included in Billboard’s decade-end list and Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Female Album of All Time”.
In 2023, Swift released Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), part of her ongoing effort to re-record her first six albums following a dispute with her former label. This too, was a resounding success, spending two weeks atop Billboard 200 and recording one of the highest album sales of 2023.
Recommended tracks: Back to December, Mine, Mean, Enchanted.
folklore
Released in 2020, the album was a surprise drop. Coming during the height of the pandemic, the tranquil nature of folklore was like a salve for Swifties all over the world trapped home in uncertainty. Its folksy, minimalist sound is a complete departure from her last three ultra peppy albums, while the use of fictional narrative and story arcs in the lyrics showcases the evolution of Swift’s songwriting. Both fans and critics embraced folklore: it became the highest selling album of 2020 and gave Swift her third Album of the Year at the Grammys. She became the first ever female artist in history to achieve the latter milestone.
Recommended tracks: august, exile (feat. Bon Iver), cardigan, the 1.
1989
Released in 2014, 1989 was inarguably Swift’s most successful album to date. The fifth album – named after the singer’s birth year – marked Swift’s full transition into pop music, with strong flavors of 1980’s synth, dance, funk, and hip hop fused in. With Billboard-topping singles like "Bad Blood", "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space", the album went on to become the highest selling album of 2014 en route to being among the highest selling albums of the 21st century with over 10 million copies sold. In 2015, 1989 bagged Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards – Swift’s second after Fearless. The soon-to-be released 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – part of the superstar’s effort to reclaim rights to her back catalog – is sure to once again disrupt the music industry in the fall of 2023.
Recommended tracks: Welcome to New York, Bad Blood, Blank Space, Shake It Off, Style, Out of the Woods, Wildest Dreams, New Romantics (seriously, 1989 is a total non-skip!)
Red
Released in 2012, Swift’s fourth studio album saw the country darling boldly shifting away from the genre that had launched her. While still primarily a country album, Red experimented with electronic, dubstep and dance-pop sounds. The conversation around Red was inextricably linked to Swift’s headline-making romantic relationships which inspired several tracks in the album.
It once again made a splash when in 2021, Swift released Red (Taylor’s Version) featuring a 10-minute version of "All Too Well". The single debuted atop the Billboard 100 and the album became Swift’s fourth consecutive album to chart #1 in the span of 16 months. Talk about Red hot!
Recommended tracks: Red, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Knew You Were Trouble, 22, Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran), All Too Well (Taylor’s Version).
Reputation
Released in 2017, the album came after a slew of negative press surrounding Swift that led to her temporary withdrawal from the public. In response to all the bad blood, the album is characteristically dark, acerbic and furious. Using elements of R&B, hip hop and EDM, Swift not so subtly addressed her haters, her feuds, and the nasty social media pile-on she was subjected to. The result is a unique album that marks Swift’s trajectory personally as it is musically.
Recommended tracks: Look What You Made Me Do, Gorgeous, … Ready For It?, Getaway Car, Delicate
Midnights
Released in 2022, Swift’s latest was a return to mainstream pop after the songstress’ flirtation with indie folk on folklore and evermore. With some distinct elements of bedroom pop and chill-out, Midnights explored topics like self criticism and anxiety – said to be inspired by the singer’s many sleepless nights.
The album broke multiple records: highest ever single-day album streams on Spotify, largest vinyl sales week of the 21st century, best selling album of 2022, and having its songs sweep the entirety of Billboard’s top 10 chart in its debut week – the most for any album in history.
Recommended tracks: Anti-Hero, Bejeweled, Karma, Lavender Haze, Snow on the Beach (feat. Lana Del Rey)
Lover
Released in 2019, Swift’s 7th studio album saw her return from the bleakness of 2017’s Reputation with upbeat tracks like "ME!" And "Cruel Summer". Lover’s track list is dominated by cheerful songs depicting sweet romance, optimism, and all around sunny dispositions – the complete opposite of Swift’s several recent entries.
Recommended tracks: ME!, You Need to Calm Down, Cruel Summer, Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince, Paper Rings, The Man.
Taylor Swift
Released in 2006, Swift’s self-titled debut album catapulted her to public prominence thanks to the freshness she brought to the country genre. With her blonde curls and emotionally-rich tunes, then 17 year-old Swift penetrated the hearts of millions as the rare teenage country star with mainstream appeal.
Recommended tracks: Teardrops on My Guitar, Pictures to Burn, Tim McGraw.
