Swifties

Ranking All 21 Songs on Taylor Swift’s ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’

Ten years have gone by since 1989 was released. In the following decade, Taylor Swift severed ties with the record label that started her journey, Big Machine Records. She had another feud with Kanye West, and the now 34-year-old became the biggest pop star in the world.

By implementing herself in music history, Swift has proven that she can do everything. The album named after her birth year was her first big switch.

Sure, all of Swift’s albums have had elements of pop. Yet, it wasn’t until her 2014 record came along that fans and haters alike started seeing her as a pop star. Country might have been the genre she started in, but she has strayed further away over time.

Dabbling into soft-rock and implementing her singer-songwriter reign, the Eras Tour has proven she is a jack of all trades. So, take some time out of your day to look back at all 21 songs included in “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” Do you agree with our ranking? Let us know in the comments down below.

21. “Bad Blood”

No, “Bad Blood” is not bad. It is an amazing track, but sacrifices had to be made, you know? Now, if the remix was on the album, it would be a different case. Alas, this time around, Kendrick Lamar and the squad aren’t here to save it from the doomed last spot.

20. “Say Don’t Go”

Another perfectly catchy song that would’ve made its rounds on the Tumblr sphere if it had actually been released in 2014. That didn’t happen. A great bop, nonetheless, it got overpowered by some of the more sonically and thematically interesting Taylor’s Versions additions.

19. “Shake It Off”

Okay, I hear you, “Shake It Off” should be last. But, hear me out. Have you ever been to a party that’s kind of dull and suddenly they whip out “Shake It Off?” It’s a universal experience. Easy to sing and dance along to, the lead single from 1989 is not the best example of who Taylor Swift artistically is, but it sure is fun!

18. “Suburban Legends”

“Suburban Legends” is a great example of Swift’s genius way of implementing metaphors in every piece of her artistry. “I broke my own heart ’cause you were too polite to do it” is a killer line and one of the standouts in the album.

17. “How You Get The Girl”

Do you want to know how to get the girl? If so, wait no further and just listen to the cat-obsessed singer’s playbook. From “standing like a ghost” to saying “I want you for worse or for better,” “How You Get The Girl” has a perfect line of action. It’s also just so iconic. So, why is this low on the list? Although this would be a bop from many other pop stars, Swift has even harder-hitting tracks.

16. “Slut!”

Rumored to originally have The 1975 featured on this track makes a lot of sense as many of the electro-instrumentals are reminiscent of their sound. It is so similar that it could even be a bonus track on the band’s I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It, which was released in 2015.

15. “Welcome To New York”

The metropolitan is a place that Swift considers home, and it is also a main character in many of her songs. Lots of events have happened in the Big Apple over her career so far. Yet, “Welcome To New York” is the anthem to celebrate her love for the place. It’s a fun soundtrack for any twenty-something that moves to the city, or, you know, in the intro of The Secret Lives of Pets.

14. “Blank Space”

Another example of a perfect pop hit. Swift is a master in her craft, constantly shifting genres, and she knows how to perfectly arrange a melancholic singer-songwriter record and then rock out in a ready-for-radio sing-along like “Blank Space.” The song is as quotable as they come, and everyone wants to scream it. I mean, how often have you seen the Instagram caption, “Cause darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream?” My guess is definitely more than once. The music video is also a stellar addition to her filmography.

13. “I Know Places”

The sultry vocals combined with the story of two lovers hiding from the press and fans alike was a new skill set the cat mom-of-three showed off during this period. “I Know Places” is also one of the songs that actually uses that record player-quality inside the production to tie it together with the album art.

12. “This Love”

One of the softer records on the album. Swift’s soft utterings in the beginning sweep you in as it slowly builds up in an upbeat fashion. Switching between a delicate version of love and reinforcing statements, the under beats always align with these emotions.

11. “All You Had To Do Was Stay”

“What? Like it’s hard?,” the line Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) says in Legally Blonde must be what is going through Swift’s head all the time as every song just gets better and better. She is a genius who is able to make everything seem easy. It definitely isn’t as her artistry is truly one of a kind.

10. “I Wish You Would”

“It’s 2 A.M. in your car,” is the first line of “I Wish You Would.” This proves to be another Swift song set in the middle of the night, which begs the question: Does this woman ever sleep? Probably not. How else is she able to be in constant production, have a massive worldwide tour, and have a seemingly active social life? Please, Swift, can you help a girl out, and tell us what you do to stay this active?

9. “Wonderland”

Hauntingly sweet is the best description of “Wonderland.” Hoping something could’ve turned out differently “Wonderland” sucks you right into the maze-like fairytale description the song so amazingly follows. One of the more delicately sad tracks on 1989, “Wonderland” is just as hypnotizingly replayable as its more upbeat sisters.

8. “Out Of The Woods”

Besides “Style,” “Out Of The Woods” is the hit with the verifiable links to her history with Harry Styles.

The bridge starts with, “Remember when you hit the brakes too soon? Twenty stitches in a hospital room,” and some could draw the conclusion that it’s in reference to the snowmobile trip that Swift, Styles, and Justin Bieber took. This theory has even more backup as she revealed to Rolling Stone that the inspiration came from”a snowmobile ride with an ex who lost control and wrecked it so badly that she saw her life flash before her eyes.”

7. “Wildest Dreams”

One of the thematically strongest songs in her repertoire, “Wildest Dreams” is reminiscent of singer-songwriters of decades past —with Swift’s own personal twist. Magical and illusive, “Wildest Dreams” traps you in its universe, and we never want to leave.

6. “Now That We Don’t Talk”

It should’ve been a crime that “Now That We Don’t Talk” wasn’t released with the original album. The accelerating backtrack hypes you up as the somewhat snarky lyrics take the foreground. Quotable and just plain fun, this tune was the second-best addition to the 2014 version of 1989.

5. “Style”

Thank you, Harry Styles, for being the inspiration to one of the best pop songs ever written. Never have I ever wanted to witness the “that James Dean daydream look in your eye” or wear “that red lip classic thing that you like” more than listening to “Style” 20 times in a row. Swift’s sultry vocals combined with the hindsight daydreaming allow for a near-perfect hit.

4. “You Are In Love”

“You Are In Love” would’ve been even higher on the list if it wasn’t for the revelation that it was actually written about pals Jack Antonoff and Lena Dunham. The track kind of loses its power knowing that their relationship ended up failing. Also, in comparison to Antonoff’s other writing buddy Lana Del Rey‘s viral soundbite “Margaret,” “You Are In Love” lacks some of that nostalgia-filled adoration.

3. “New Romantics”

The rumors are indeed “terrible and cruel” because “New Romantics” deserved better. Not just a discarded bonus track, it should’ve gotten the attention it deserves. Yes, it eventually ended up having a lookback tour music video, but it could’ve been so much more. So, I’m just going to come out and say it, “New Romantics” should’ve been a single. Everyone who disagrees is plain wrong. Danceable, pulsating, and catchy, “New Romantics” is just that song.

2. “Is It Over Now?”

“Is It Over Now?” had everyone in a chokehold in late 2023. With many lines that would make you stop in your tracks such as: “At least I had the decency to keep my nights out of sight / Only rumors ’bout my hips and thighs / And my whispered sighs,” and “If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her (no) / You dream of my mouth before it called you a lying traitor / You search in every model’s bed for something greater,” it needs to be surmised that the only reason she didn’t include it originally was because of the sexual innuendos Swift was not known for at the time. Since then, her discography has explored more adult themes.

“Is It Over Now?” should be included in Swift’s top 10 pop hits of all time. Although her having to re-record her albums in order to gain ownership over them is despicable, this is one of the many plus sides of the Taylor’s Versions.

1. “Clean”

Heartbreaking tales of withdrawal make their way into “Clean.” Using the symbolism of addiction to a romantic partnership says something about the culture of love. A relationship can quickly turn into a toxic need to grab onto love and never wanting to let go. The intertwining of Swift’s flawless lyricism with a dynamic melody makes this an unforgettable song. Sure, some tracks are at first glimpse more memorable, but it’s “Clean” that leaves the true lasting impression.