Ranking All 9 Taylor Swift Albums And What Your Favorite Album Says About You

It's time to finally settle the argument of the best Taylor Swift albums.

In this article, I will be ranking all nine Taylor Swift albums from worst to best based on: overall cohesiveness, amount of "skippable" songs, symbolism, performance, vulnerability, and lyrical depth.

I will also be breaking down the meaning behind each album, as well as what your favorite Taylor Swift album says about you!

Important note: Swift is known for having musical "eras" that consist of very different musical sounds and aesthetics in each album. In her 2018 acceptance speech at the American Music Awards, Taylor Swift says she "looks at albums as chapters in [her] life."

In light of her re-recording her first six albums to reclaim her ownership, here is the definitive ranking of every Taylor Swift album.

9. "Taylor Swift" (2006)

Big Machine / Via people.com

Coming in at the bottom is Taylor Swift's debut self-titled album, which includes many songs she wrote during her freshman year of high school. This album follows her move from Pennsylvania to Nashville, Tennessee at age 13 to chase her music career dreams and showcases her country roots. "Taylor Swift" represents "Coming of age experiences such as insecurity, young love, and teenage angst" (Taylor Swift Fandom). Her first lead single and hit was "Tim McGraw." Taylor doesn't have a bad album, I just listen to this one the least.

Popular songs: "Our Song," "Teardrops On My Guitar," "Picture To Burn," "Tim McGraw."

If "Taylor Swift" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are most likely a millennial that misses "the old country music Taylor." You are either a die-hard Taylor Swift fan that has been here since the very beginning or you haven't listened to her since 2006. You can be petty and naive, but you have a pure heart.

8. "evermore" (2020)

Taylor Swift / Via en.wikipedia.org

"evermore" is known as the "sister" album to "folklore," which was released only five months prior. This album came into existence because Swift kept writing more songs and "Chose to wander deeper" into the world of folklore. Releasing "evermore" is the only time that she didn't just move on to the next era, but instead created an extension of the previous album (Taylor Swift, via Instagram). However, it just does not compare to "folklore" and unfortunately lives in its shadow.

Popular songs: "willow," "champagne problems," "right where you left me," "no body, no crime (feat. HAIM)."

If "evermore" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You definitely love podcasts, cottage-core, and your favorite subject is or was English. You are an introverted person who loves to read and most likely are a middle child. You probably spend a lot of time at coffeeshops and are the quirky friend.

7. "Lover" (2019)

Taylor Swift / Via amazon.com

"Lover" is about the metamorphosis and freedom of letting go of the past. Stated in the album prologue letter, Swift decided that she "Wants to be defined by the things [she] loves - not the things [she] hates" (Gilson, PopSugar, 2019). This album symbolizes love in all its forms but also what it feels like finding real, true, healthy love (inspired by long-time boyfriend Joe Alwyn of about five years). This also marked the first time that Taylor Swift publicly spoke out on her political stance, declaring her support for the LGBTQ+ and women's rights. This was also the first album that Taylor owned herself. Ultimately, I just think Taylor can and has done better than this album.

Popular songs: "Lover," "Cruel Summer," The Man," "You Need To Calm Down," "ME!"

If "Lover" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are a very optimistic, free-spirited person who always sees the best in everyone. You are definitely a feminist and are passionate about standing up for what you believe in. Pastels are your favorite colors and Pinterest is probably your favorite app. You are very sentimental and your head is always daydreaming in the clouds. You are either very mature or a child at heart, there is no in between.

6. "reputation" (2017)

Big Machine / Via amazon.com

"reputation" marked Taylor Swift's reemergence into the spotlight, following her year-long disappearance after public backlash in 2016. The internet had decided she was a "snake" and "liar", after the Kanye West and Kim Kardashian feud. Swift shocked the world with this comeback album, having a sound and aesthetic unlike anything she did before. Taylor describes the significance behind the title in the album prologue letter explaining how "We think we know someone, but the truth is that we only know the version of them that they have chosen to show us (Chen, Rolling Stone Magazine, 2017)." This album reflects on her experiences being in the public eye and describes how that "In the death of her reputation, she felt truly alive." This is a great album, just isn't my favorite.

Popular songs: "Look What You Made Me Do," "...Ready For It?," Delicate."

If "reputation" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You say you hate drama but you secretly love it. You have a strong and rebellious exterior, but are very sensitive on the inside. You are the fun, bold, and fiercely loyal friend. You know everyone and all the gossip. You are someone you don't want to mess with and who doesn't let your guard down easily, so you like to keep a close circle of friends you can count on.

5. "1989" (2014)

Big Machine / Via amazon.com

"1989" symbolizes Taylor Swift's transition from country music into pop music, giving us the quintessential pop album that went on to win Album of The Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Music Video at the 2015 Grammy Awards (Hertweck, Recording Academy Grammy Awards, 2018). The album title "1989" nods to the year that Swift was born, as well as to the musical inspirations of the 80s on this album. The meaning behind this album also symbolizes "A moment of self discovery" (Smith, The Guardian, 2014) and "A time of limitless potential, the idea you could do what you want be what you want" (Rothman, ABC News, 2014). Swift notes that "She lost him but she found herself and somehow that was everything" (Strecker, Billboard, 2014).

Popular songs: "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," "Wildest Dreams," "Bad Blood."

If "1989" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are spontaneous, a little bit reckless and impulsive, but very independent. You try to live your best life and love being surrounded by a lot of people. You are the life of the party, a social butterfly, and you probably dream of living in a big city. You might be a little basic and trendy, but you are someone that is liked by everyone.

4. "folkore" (2020)

Taylor Swift / Via en.wikipedia.org

"folklore" was a surprise release in July of 2020 and became the perfect quarantine album that just really captured the time and feelings of the pandemic. It won Album of The Year at the 2021 Grammy Awards, making it her third Album of The Year win. With "folklore," Swift took songwriting to a whole new level by writing from other people's perspective, rather than her own, brilliantly creating interconnected storylines and characters throughout different songs. Taylor describes "folklore" in an Instagram post stating: "In isolation, my imagination has run wild...Picking up a pen was my way of escaping into fantasy, history, and memory." This album pushed her artistry further into the genres of Alternative/Indie and brought her many new fans.

Popular songs: "cardigan," "exile (feat. Bon Iver)," "betty," "august."

If "folklore" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are extremely intelligent and thrive off of academic validation. You are an old soul and you probably love thrifting or vintage clothes. You are very aware and caring about what's going on in the world. You are probably an overachiever and definitely have a vinyl record collection.

3. "Fearless" (2008)

Big Machine / Via udiscovermusic.com

"Fearless" is Taylor Swift's sophomore album. This album went on to win Album of The Year, Best Female Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Song, and Best Country Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards (Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift). "Fearless" "debuted at No.1 in the United States, and later became the best-selling album of 2009" as well as "The most awarded album in the history of country music" (Taylor Swift Fandom). Swift titled the album "Fearless," because "To [her], Fearless is not the absence of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To [her], Fearless is having fears, Fearless is having doubts" and she thinks "Love is Fearless" (Taylor Swift Fandom). I'll always love and have a soft spot for this album.

Popular songs: "Love Story," "You Belong With Me," "Fearless," "Forever & Always."

If "Fearless" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are a believer in fairytales, happy endings, and destiny who tends to romanticize your life. You are a very nostalgic person who can tend to live in the past. You have high and unrealistic expectations when it comes to love from movies. You are very sweet and have definitely been planning your wedding since you were little.

2. "Red" (2012)

Big Machine / Via en.wikipedia.org

"Red" is meant to symbolize a heartbroken person and tells the journey from top to bottom of the album. Taylor tends to associate colors with different types of feelings or emotions, "Red" being how she describes all the intense emotions featured on this album. "All those emotions - spanning from intense love, intense frustration, jealousy, confusion, all of that - in my mind, all those emotions are red. You know, there’s nothing in between. There’s nothing beige about any of those feelings" (Taylor Swift Fandom). Swift recently released her re-recording of "Red (Taylor's Version), in which she released the long awaited "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (Explicit Version)" which has been commonly considered her most beloved song.

Popular songs: "All Too Well," "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble, "22," "Begin Again."

If "Red" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are a very introspective person who likes to deal with things alone. You feel everything deeply and tend to have a hard time moving on or letting go of things. You most likely tend to make self-deprecating jokes, but you are also a very fun and playful person that gets along with many people. You are very creative and artistic, as well as most likely the person your friends turn to for advice. You are very relatable which makes everyone feel understood or validated when around you.

1. "Speak Now" (2010)

Big Machine / Via en.wikipedia.org

"Speak Now" is the epitome of Taylor Swift's song-writing, storytelling, and vulnerability as this is the only album that is entirely self-written (without any co-writers) at just 19 years old. The album was almost titled "Enchanted." Ultimately, Taylor decided to title it "Speak Now," representing her maturing and how "These songs are made up of words I didn't say when the moment was right in front of me...Words can break someone into a million pieces, but they can also put them back together...I don't think you should wait, I think you should speak now" (Taylor Swift Switzerland). I think "Speak Now" is the best, most authentic, and genuine representation of Taylor Swift.

Popular songs: "Sparks Fly," "Back To December," "Mean," "Mine," "Enchanted," "The Story of Us."

If "Speak Now" is your favorite Taylor Swift album...

You are a hopeless romantic who wears your heart on your sleeve. You definitely have or have kept a journal before and tend to hold grudges. You are very vulnerable and in touch with your feelings. You always follow your heart over your head. You are down to earth and cherish the little things in life. You can be a bit dramatic and emotional at times.

There is my ranking of all the Taylor Swift albums!

Taylor Swift is truly one of the most influential artists of our generation who continues to inspire and pave for the road for other female artists to follow in her footsteps. Taylor Swift is the music industry.