An ode to 1989 (Taylor's Version)
1989 is my favorite Taylor Swift album. It’s her most sonically cohesive. It tells a story from start to finish. It doesn't have a wasted moment, coming in tight at 13 songs, 48 minutes. And it features some of her very best work. Beyond the high quality lyrics and modern and 80s infused sounds, I feel connected to 1989 for another reason. The original version came out in October 2014. Did Taylor specifically release what she calls her “New York album” in October 2014 because she knew that I was about to move to New York for a three month internship? Many have speculated. We’ll never know for sure. Calculated or fortuitous - the timing gave me the perfect soundtrack for NYC, which is why this one will always be extra special. To celebrate the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version), I’m ranking the album's tracks and brand new vault songs from best to... there aren't any bad tracks here... ranked from best to not as good!
The Album
Blank Space: Coming in at number one... A sharp, catchy, sarcastic send up of all the people who constantly speculated about Taylor Swift's dating life. Blank Space absolutely defined the 1989 era and proved (to anyone who ever doubted) that Taylor Swift is a masterful songwriter. There’s no Anti Hero without Blank Space. It’s some of her best work ever and sets the perfect tone for the album.
Style: “Did you know Style is about Harry Styles?” is a real question my brother asked me the other week. I guess not everyone knew! Yes, this song is obviously about Harry Styles. The catchy guitar hook that kicks things off, the second verse ("I’ve heard / that you’ve been out and about with some other girl / You said what you heard is true / But I can’t stop thinking about you / I said I’ve been there too a few times") and the belting of “take me home” make this bop number two on 1989 and one of my all-time favorites.
I Wish You Would: I could not get tickets to the Eras Tour (sore subject!), but I did sit outside of the stadium and listen to the entire show. For free! My top pick for a surprise song (based on the available list) was I Wish You Would. AND SHE PLAYED IT. I love the way this song feels full of frantic energy and desire.
Wildest Dreams: The song starts with the sound of Taylor’s actual heartbeat and that pounding, reminiscent feeling carries through to the bridge in the perfect way.
Out of the Woods: The bridge is what really shines in this ode to a relationship that never quite feels safe.
Shake It Off: This one is pure fun! Last year I was at a wedding and someone I consider an enemy came over to say goodbye. I’d avoided them all night so I waved goodbye to them with my wine glass, made a face to my friends and kept dancing to Shake It Off, which was playing right at that moment, just when I needed to literally shake it off. I’m deeply connected to this album, okay?
Clean: A cathartic, beautiful, bittersweet song that is only ranked so low because of the power of this album.
This Love: The good, the bad, the unresolved. This Love is final track in the love story that 1989 tells (before the closure hits in Clean).
I Know Places: The first of many songs that Taylor Swift will write about trying to escape the scrutiny of celebrity life. I Know Places is catchy and filled with angst.
All You Had to Do Was Stay: While not as powerful as I Wish You Would, “Let me remind you / This was what you wanted / You ended it / You were all I wanted / But not like this,” is so so good.
That’s How You Get the Girl: Catchy and fun, but That's How You Get the Girl has one of my pop song pet peeves, endless repetition of one phrase over and over and over again.
Bad Blood: Never one of my personal favorites but a no doubt hit.
Welcome to New York: While I’ve of course played this song while walking around Manhattan, it's obviously at the bottom of the thirteen. Taylor herself waited to play it until night three of her NYC Eras tour stop. Still... it sets the tone for the brand new chapter that is 1989: "The lights are so bright / But they never blind me."
The Vault Tracks
Look, I’m enjoying these vault tracks but the core of 1989 is perfect. I’ve had nine years to listen and re-listen and dissect those 13 tracks and a mere 24 hours to ponder the new ones. They’re ranked here, separately, for these very reasons.
1. Is It Over Now?
2. "Slut!"
3. Now That We Don’t Talk
4. Say Don’t Go
5. Suburban Legends
