Top 10 Hauntingly Beautiful Taylor Swift Songs

Taylor Swift is the master of creating moving music for movies. Just look at “Beautiful Ghosts” from “Cats,” or “Safe & Sound” from “The Hunger Games.” No track better demonstrates her ability to capture a film’s essence than “Carolina.” Written for “Where the Crawdads Sing,” it powerfully describes the life of outcast Kya, who’s been accused of murder, skillfully spotlighting themes of secrecy, loneliness, and survival. The breathtaking song transports us to not only Carolina, but to the marsh through the use of instruments that are authentic to the story’s early 1950s setting. The strings and vocals seamlessly blend together, establishing an eerie, elegant, and deeply affecting mood. Swift revealed that her goal was to “create something haunting and ethereal.” She more than succeeded.

Sometimes, a novel sparks something within you. When Taylor Swift read Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” an idea took shape in her mind. The result – “tolerate it” – is absolutely sublime in the most heartbreaking way. The aptly titled track follows a young woman who’s giving her all to a relationship. Unfortunately, her partner has grown disinterested, and is building a life without her. She senses that he’s simply putting up with her, and knows that she should leave. As listeners, we feel her pain and devastation – and it’s harrowing. Aaron Dessner’s production masterfully enhances Swift’s vulnerable delivery, with each note that emanates from the piano feeling like a dagger to the heart. It goes without saying, but we’ll never just tolerate this song.

Sad, beautiful, and tragic – those three words hold immense power, and form the crux of this pensive ballad. Have you ever heard of a more poetic way to describe a past love affair? Here, Swift looks back on an old relationship with all the perspective that time and distance provide. She takes us through what happened, telling a melancholic story and summoning all that was and no longer is with her words. She doesn’t sound resentful or even broken – but while the wound has healed, it’s also left a scar. The slow, beautiful melody complements this tender narrative, adding a layer of depth to each verse. A gorgeous and poignant song, “Sad Beautiful Tragic” will never lose its impact.

If you’ve ever felt unmoored and mustered up all your strength to put one foot in front of the other, this song will surely resonate with you. It’s all about doing your best and holding on when it feels like life is against you. Talk about an emotional – but crucially important – premise. Told through several different perspectives, “this is me trying” tackles subjects of existentialism, addiction, and what happens when the validation you had come to rely on evaporates. There’s an aching honesty that anchors the number, with the symphonic elements creating an ethereal atmosphere for Swift to explore. It’s an ode to trying, even when nobody notices, and there’s nothing more profoundly exquisite than that.

When you’re hurting, it seems like things will never get better. Taylor Swift knows the feeling – and she came out on the other side stronger. This song takes us on that journey with her. It’s as though there’s a cold, unforgiving breeze literally hitting us in the face at first. So when she says that the pain will be “for evermore,” we believe her. As the music shifts at the bridge and Justin Vernon’s vocals appear, a slew of feelings overwhelm us. In the end, love gives Swift shelter, and she finally sees past the turmoil. That’s pretty awe-inspiring. From a gray, merciless winter to a warm cabin with creaky floors, “evermore” doesn’t just take us through time and space, it utterly moves us.

Every Swiftie knows that the fifth song on each of her albums is the biggest tear-jerker. And “my tears ricochet” more than fits that bill on “folklore.” As soon as you hear the opening vocals, you know you’re about to be gutted. Using funeral imagery to unpack a broken relationship – romantic or otherwise – Swift embodies a spirit stuck in the earthly realm. She’s unable to move on because of the torment she’s experienced at the hands of a past confidant who betrayed her trust. He’s now attending the wake he caused; that’s a loaded metaphor if we’ve ever heard one. As if that wasn’t enough, choral and gothic elements come together to create an otherworldly musical experience. We’d let this song haunt us anytime.

Though “Lover” is largely a joyous, love-filled album, there are also incredibly touching songs, like “The Archer,” included. The one that leaves us in tears every time is “Soon You’ll Get Better.” Swift gives us a window into her mom and family’s battle with cancer, and it’s extremely personal. Accompanied by a gentle melody and backing vocals from the Chicks, she heartbreakingly spotlights how difficult it is to watch as her loved one faces a life-threatening illness. All she can do is fervently hold on to the hope that everything will be okay. As her voice shakes near the end, we feel her raw emotion on a visceral level. This is more than a country ballad – it’s a beautiful love letter to a mother.

A criminally underrated song from Swift’s most criminally underrated album, “Haunted” is a true work of art. The title says it all, deftly describing what happens after your partner drifts away, leaving you crushed and struggling to survive. The musical arrangement is downright orchestral, and Swift completely leans into that, giving us a gloriously grand and dramatic performance. The fact that her relationship is ending is shaking her to her core, and she doesn’t hold anything back. There’s nothing left but her recollection of what once was – and could’ve been – and it’s torture. An intense despair flows out of every chord and lyric, completely flooding our hearts with sorrow in the process. We’ll never get enough of how magnificent it is.

There’s perhaps nothing worse in this world than losing a child. This song, about a boy named Ronan who battled cancer and sadly passed away before turning four, is a testament to that. Swift was moved by his mom Maya Thompson’s blog posts, and created this tribute to them. The picture it paints, of a mother who had to say goodbye to her son far too soon, is devastating, to put it mildly. Swift articulates everything that comes with such a loss with care, grace, and deep respect. We feel Thompson’s unconditional love for Ronan through her, and instantly grasp what a majestic, special kid he was. There’s no denying his life was a gift, and his memory will forever live on.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Last Kiss”, “Speak Now” (2010)
The Pain in Swift’s Voice Is Palpable

“cardigan”, “folklore” (2020)
Bundle up with a Cozy Cardigan & Let This Folk Ballad Move You

“Clean”, “1989” (2014)
Moving on After Your Heart Breaks Is Hard, but Possible

“exile” feat. Bon Iver, “folklore” (2020)
We Think We’ve Heard This Devastating Song Before, but We Love Everything About It

“The Moment I Knew (Taylor's Version)”, “Red (Taylor's Version)” (2021)
Realizing a Relationship Is Over Is Deeply Emotional & This Song Is Proof of That

If heartbreak were a song, it would be this one. The original “All Too Well” was already regarded as one of Taylor Swift’s best records. But the 10 minute version is, frankly, a masterpiece in storytelling, songwriting, and production. We’re plunged into the singer’s psyche as she goes into vivid detail, recounting a past romance with an older man that wrecked her. What they had haunts her, memories playing in her mind as she processes what transpired. It’s thoroughly evocative and never fails to give us chills. To top it all off, the short film is a visual marvel that amplifies each section of the thoughtfully crafted narrative. This is the kind of soul-stirring ballad that stays with you long after the final note plays.