The Most Underappreciated Song from Every Taylor Swift Album
“A Perfectly Good Heart” “Taylor Swift (Deluxe Edition)” (2006)
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When Taylor Swift made her debut with her self-titled album in 2006, she changed the game. Yet while most people agree that “Teardrops on My Guitar” is a masterpiece, there are a lot of mixed opinions surrounding “A Perfectly Good Heart.” Certain fans feel like it’s not Swift’s deepest or strongest work, which is probably why you don’t hear about it very often. But there’s something to be said for how honest the song is to the feelings of a teenager experiencing heartbreak for the first time. It captures the confusion and pain beautifully, and the imagery of an intact heart getting scarred is nothing if not powerful. Why wouldn’t you appreciate this perfectly good song?!
“Forever & Always (Piano Version) [Taylor's Version]” “Fearless (Taylor's Version)” (2021)
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The original “Forever & Always” is already an underrated track, but the piano version is even more widely disregarded. The latter arrangement takes the song’s gripping message and slows it down, giving it a more sentimental feel. The melodic piano provides the perfect backdrop for Swift to sing about broken promises against, and the poignant words never fail to awaken our emotions. She takes us through the questioning and hurt that comes as the one you love pulls away. And it kind of feels like we’re hearing about a fairytale that never got its happy ending. The level of storytelling here is on par with hits like “Love Story,” and “You Belong With Me,” yet the song receives a fraction of the praise. That’s just not right.
“Haunted” “Speak Now” (2010)
If you ask Swifties what the singer’s most underappreciated album is, there’s a good chance many of them will say “Speak Now”. Indeed, it’s full of amazing songs that are often glossed over. Chief among them is “Haunted,” which will give rise to emotions you didn’t realize you had. With such a somber title, you’d think the tune would be demure and quiet, but it’s the opposite. After all, being haunted wouldn’t leave us feeling calm. The song is full of arresting orchestrations that create an unmatched sense of grandeur. The striking music is juxtaposed with imposing lyrics about a lost love and the anguish that follows, making for a powerful result. We’re not sure why this isn’t one of Swift’s biggest hits.
“The Moment I Knew (Taylor's Version)” “Red (Taylor's Version)” (2021)
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When “Red” was first released in 2012, songs like “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “22” took center stage. When Swift’s re-recording came out in 2021, everyone understandably lost it over the 10 minute version of “All Too Well.” But “The Moment I Knew” deserves to be recognized as required listening, too. The moving song seemingly tells the story of how the singer realized her relationship wasn’t working when her then-boyfriend missed her birthday celebration. The narrative is clearly rooted in a specific time and place, really making you feel like you’re at the party with her. At the same time, the sentiment is universal and relatable. Plus, the way the melody builds into the chorus is breathtaking. Need we say more?!
“Wonderland” “1989 (Deluxe Edition)” (2014)
Maybe it’s because this song was released as a bonus track, but it’s never quite reached the level of recognition you’d expect. The number takes inspiration from “Alice in Wonderland” to tell the story of a relationship’s descent into madness. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery, taking us down the best kind of “rabbit hole”. It’s a powerful metaphor exploring the chaotic side of love, and feels fantastical from both a narrative and musical standpoint. In other words, the song had everything it needed to be a major success. Yet it faded into the background, which is quite a shame, because we still get lost in “Wonderland” everytime we listen to it.
“So It Goes…” “reputation” (2017)
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By the time “reputation” was released, we all knew that Taylor Swift could convey any feeling through her music. We’d heard her sing about heartbreak, pain, love, and growing up, among other things. But with this track, she really showed us that she could sing about desire, too. A sensual feeling runs throughout the melody, punctuated by some of the most risqué lyrics we’ve ever heard from Swift. Adding to the sultry vibe are themes of magic and illusion that give the song an extra layer of depth. Perhaps “So It Goes…" is neglected because it’s different, but we think its uniqueness is a huge part of its appeal. The mature piece is a standout, but alas, it’s rarely treated as such.
“Afterglow” “Lover” (2019)
We love the tunes where Swift sings about the pain people and circumstances have caused her. But it turns out the ones where she apologizes are just as mesmerizing. So why isn’t this song on everybody’s radar?! “Afterglow” is all about taking accountability for causing a fight, and desperately trying to make sure the relationship survives. Swift is admitting she was wrong, and asking her beau to hold on despite her mistake. The song is steeped in the pastel-hued dreamy energy that’s specific to “Lover” as a record. With its persuasive lyrics and ethereal melody, “Afterglow” feels like something out of our purple-pink dreams. Needless to say, we all owe Swift an apology for not treating it like the work of art it is.
“epiphany” “folklore” (2020)
If you talk to most people about “folklore,” they’ll probably bring up the “cardigan,” “august,” “betty” trilogy. And those numbers definitely tell a great story. As the spotlight shone on them, though, we missed out on “epiphany,” a quiet yet commanding song combining Swift’s family history with current events. The words simultaneously transport us to a battlefield in honor of her grandfather, and to a hospital of exhausted healthcare staff working through the pandemic. She brings these traumatic topics together seamlessly and makes them feel connected, which is a true testament to her songwriting talent. Each lyric is moving, and the music is incredibly soul-stirring. It’s about time everyone else has an “epiphany” of their own, and gives this number the love it deserves.
“right where you left me” “evermore (deluxe version)” (2021)
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While “evermore” came into our lives in December 2020, we had to hold out a little longer to hear this song. It was released on the record’s deluxe version in early 2021, so it’s hard to know if casual fans missed it. But we think it was worth the wait. The track chronicles what it’s like when life around you goes on while your mind remains planted in the place where your heart was shattered. The lyrics document an inability to move on after the dreams you had for a relationship vanish. They’re set against an energetic beat with a country feel, painting a complex picture like only Taylor Swift can. We’d like to freeze time until society realizes what a gem this song is, please.
