Top 10 Underrated Taylor Swift Songs

You’d think that Swift might’ve lost steam by her sixth album, but “reputation” was packed with new songs to play on repeat – and “Getaway Car” quickly became a standout. The electropop track is about looking for a way out of a relationship, and many fans were quick to ask: is this about Swift leaving Calvin Harris for Tom Hiddleston? We’re not experts, but lyrics like “think about the place where you first met me” could be referring to the Met Gala where Swift and Hiddleston met in 2016. Like with 1989’s “Out of the Woods,” the influence of producer Jack Antonoff – of Bleachers and fun fame – is clear, and blends perfectly with Swift’s emotional vocals to create a song we want to do anything BUT “get away” from.

#9: "Stay Stay Stay" Red(2012)

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Next to Swift's iconic breakup tracks, her heartwarming love songs haven’t quite gotten the attention they deserve. Writing about the beauty she saw in strong relationships, Taylor sings about sticking things out Spritely mandolin and keyboards give the track a chipper groove to match the childlike innocence of its lyrics. Even with its idealized version of love, it's hard not to feel happy listening to the song . Swift herself breaks into laughter at the end of the song, swept up in its joyous feelings. While the track's over-the-top cheeriness felt out of place on 'Red,' the bright mood of the song has aged well next to her dark, more modern pop hits.

#8: "The Story of Us" Speak Now (2010)

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While so many of Swift's songs have a vicious edge to them, this cut from 'Speak Now' focused more on frustration than anger. Chronicling the aftermath of a relationship like a book, Taylor sings about how we all put on an act for our exes. The on-point lyricism is inspired by Swift's experience with an ex at an award show, as the two went out of their way to avoid each other . The track was met with a lot of criticism for its departure from Taylor's usual country sound, which has consequentially helped the track stand out over time.

7: "You're Not Sorry" Fearless (2008)

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Coming out of a long and difficult relationship, Taylor wrote this song to reflect how emotionally exhausted she had become. Building the vocals around the soft piano and string arrangements, the melodies echo Swift's sense of devastation. Taylor also shows her resolution in the song’s climactic solo, as the pounding drums and roaring guitars rise up with her voice. Swift's deep sadness comes from the deception that inspired the song, which eventually made her end things with an ex. While it's a far cry from the music she's writing now, its deeply personal story has kept it relevant .

#6: "Holy Ground" Red (2012)

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Despite the hints of sadness in this song, it’s really about looking back fondly on a relationship. Each line talks about how Swift was able to grow and better herself in the romance. Swift's upbeat emotions translate right to the music, with a sense of hope baked into the flickering guitars and rushing drums . Taylor even recruited the producer from Fun's 'Some Nights' album to truly capture her renewed happiness. Lyrically and emotionally ahead of a lot of her writing, the track is a great marker of Swift's evolution as a person.

#5: "I Know Places" 1989 (2014)

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Scared of the way people can try to ruin their friends’ happiness, Taylor wrote a song about escaping to save your love. Mixing in darker and more bizarre pop elements, the melodies hint at the paranoia Swift feels from her time in the spotlight. Single at the time she wrote the track, Taylor has explained the song is also about nurturing a romance away from the paparazzi. Swift isn't particularly subtle about her worries either, calling herself the fox to the media’s hunters. While it never got its own single, the song's massive production has made it a joy to see live.

#4: "Clean" 1989 (2014)

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Despite many interpretations that this track is about overcoming addiction, Taylor actually wrote it about a relationship she had recently ended. Heading into the studio with Imogen Heap, Taylor leaned right into Heap's dark electronic instrumentation. Comparing her inner pain to natural disasters, Swift talks about becoming emotionally clean. Taylor's lyrics of overcoming heartbreak blew Heap away, who had assumed Swift didn't write her own material prior to the collaboration . After dealing with her own rough experiences, Swift would give a motivational opening to the song to inspire fans on her 1989 World Tour.

#3: "State of Grace" Red (2012)

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So much of Taylor's sound has evolved in recent years that it's easy to forget how much of a departure 'Red' was for her when it was released. Swift wanted to explore the amazing fresh wonder of a new love, trying to match that feeling in the song's larger than life production. Opening her album with echoing guitars and more reverb was an ambitious move for Taylor, setting a strong tone for the record's themes as well. Critics found it was a more graceful step between her country and pop sounds than her singles, even comparing the track to classic U2 songs.

Framing a chance encounter like a fairytale, Swift wrote this song about being swept away by someone she just met . Penning the track immediately after the encounter took place, the song's huge arc charts her wave of emotions. After a more whimsical opening with guitar and synthesizers, the song becomes a rock epic as it closes out. Swift's repeated use of 'wonderstruck' was actually a nod at the man the song is about, who used the word in an email to her. At nearly six minutes, the song's extended runtime meant it was never released as a single. Fans have loved the track regardless, helping the song get gold certified without promotional assistance. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: "Haunted" Speak Now (2010) "This Love" 1989 (2014) "Long Live" Speak Now (2010)

#1: "All Too Well" Red (2012)

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Working with long-time collaborator Liz Rose, Taylor stripped away all of the pop production of 'Red' to make her one of her finest love ballads. Highlighting the smallest details in a couple's fall-out, Swift's lyrics are sharp and heartbreaking. Full of deep pain and conflict, the track's change from quiet to explosive is all the more impactful. Considering how epic this already lengthy song feels, it was actually almost fifteen minutes long before being edited down. While it had trouble standing out on such a big album for Taylor, her hair-whipping at the Grammys proved it could still be a stand out track .