After saving 2020 by releasing not one, but two surprise new albums –folklore and evermore – Taylor Swift has once again swooped in and rescued us all by announcing she is releasing the re-recorded version of her second studio album, Fearless ‘soon’ and has since released Love Story (Taylor’s Version).
Featuring 26 songs – 6 of which are from Taylor’s vault and have never been heard before – the release of the new version of Fearless is significant in that, finally, Taylor will own the rights to her own songs after her first six albums were sold to Scooter Braun by Big Machine Records. (You can read all about that here).
‘Artists should know own their own work for so many reasons,’ she stated. “But the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really_knows_that body of work.’
‘This process has been more fulfilling and emotional than I could’ve imagined and has made me even more determined to re-record all of my music.’
And so, while we patiently await the release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) – eagle-eyed stans believe they’ve decoded a secret message in Taylor’s announcement that means the new album is coming 9 April – we’ve taken a look back at every Lead Single Taylor Swift has ever released and ranked them. Disclaimer: we didn’t include Featured Singles, like Two is Better Than One with Boys Like Girls or Babe with Sugarland, or singles from movie soundtracks (yes we were sad to miss I Don’t Wanna Live Forever, but we’d rather not think about the Cats soundtrack…)
From her very first single, Tim McGraw, to the new version of Love Story, here’s every Taylor Swift single, ranked from worst to best.
51. Look What You Made Me Do
The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? ‘Cause this song isn’t it; moving on…
50. I Knew You Were Trouble
This has nothing to do with Taylor, but I can’t listen to this without hearing a goat screaming after that YouTube video. You know which one I’m talking about.
49. Shake It Off
Just not a favourite. Next.
48. Me!
Ok, yes, Taylor is claiming a new era with this one and the music video is great, but ‘c’mon kids, spelling is fun!’ Really? Really?
47. Bad Blood
Doesn’t hold up to her other singles, I’m sorry.
46. The Last Time
This is the last time...I'm listening to this song.
45. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
This single came out the day after my high school boyfriend and I broke up, so I really thought Taylor released it for me, but still not one of the best.
44. Change
Maybe a bit underrated, but still not top tier territory.
43. You Need To Calm Down
Another fantastic music video, but we’ve had better singles.
42. Mine
Great for feeling nostalgic, but does leave me feeling a bit dry. And it’s a little whiny – there, I said it.
41. Everything Has Changed
Unremarkable.
40. Out of the Woods
It has a great bridge, we’ll give you that.
39. 22
Perfect for singing on your 22nd birthday, not very useful other than that.
38. Christmas Tree Farm
Cuuuute.
37. Picture To Burn
The perfect song post-break-up.
36. Begin Again
On a Wednesday, in a café…we skipped this song, probably.
35. Ours
Tbf, life does make love look hard.
34. Mean
Bye, Kanye.
33. Sparks Fly
Love this song, why wasn’t Enchanted a single, too?
32. End Game
Hmmmmm. No.
31. You Belong With Me
You can wear short skirts and t-shirts.
30. Should’ve Said No
This song was probably your Facebook status at some point.
29. Long Live
The OG All Too Well?
28. New Romantics
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.
27. Our Song
So sweet and nostalgic.
26. The Man
Do we think Leonardo DiCaprio has heard this song?
25. New Year’s Day
Really underrated!
24. Love Story
The original.
23. Back To December
A relationship with two people named Taylor was probably never going to work.
22. the 1
She is doing good and she is on some new shit.
21. Wildest Dreams
Bridgerton has reignited our love for Wildest Dreams.
20. White Horse
‘Cause I’m not a princess, this ain’t a fairytale :(
19. exile
One of the better Taylor Swift duets, we think.
18. The Story of Us
For the lyrical genius that is ‘I’ve never heard silence quite this loud.
17. Only The Young
Go stream Miss Americana on Netflix.
16. Style
Can’t wear red lipstick without singing this song.
15. betty
Country Taylor is back and James, we are mad at you.
14. coney island
Miss Swift, why? Why?
13. …Ready For It?
Well, are you ready for it?
12. Teardrops On My Guitar
Baby Taylor! Why was Drew so oblivious?
11. no body, no Crime
Dark Taylor and a return to her country roots – you love to see it.
10. Red
The first time we saw a whole new side to Taylor, and it was amazing.
9. willow
That’s my man!
8. Delicate
This ain’t for the best… Except, yes, it is. Bring on Reputation.
7. Fearless
Makes me want to put on a dress and dance in the rain. Anyone else?
6. Fifteen
I listened to Fifteen while getting ready for my first day of high school, so has real sentimental meaning. You take a deep breath and walk through the doors…
5. Lover
This is our place, we make the call – Lover is in the top five.
4. Blank Space
Nothing will be as iconic as Taylor Swift singing ‘darling I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.’
3. Tim McGraw
It was her first single; and it’s so sweet; and it deserves to be in the top three.
2. cardigan
Because it’s the song that saved 2020.
1. Love Story (Taylor’s Version)
Yes, I am using this as the easy way out of picking a top favourite, but we do love a queen reclaiming her throne, so this is number one. Bye!
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