Taylor Swift Is Now A Genre Of Music — Here Are 25 Songs That Fit It Perfectly

Because let's face it — she's her own genre.

At this point, Taylor Swift is her own damn music genre.

Jemima Skelley @jemimaskelley

'taylor swift' has really become a genre of music at this point

02:34 AM - 21 May 2021

Twitter: @jemimaskelley

New artists just releasing their debut songs have grown up listening to Taylor, being inspired by her songwriting and general approach to making music. Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray, Lennon Stella, and Maisie Peters are all creating songs that very much come from the Taylor Swift School Of Songwriting.

We love to see it! Here are 25 songs that I guarantee everyone who likes Taylor Swift will love, even just a little. And here's a Spotify playlist, if that's your thing.

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1. "Remember That Night?" — Sara Kays

Sara Kays / Via youtube.com

This song about an ex getting back in touch went viral on TikTok last year, and the artist released it after fans begged for it to be available on Spotify. It's definitely got an air of Taylor Swift about it, especially considering she references driving at 2.30 a.m. and kissing in the rain.

Sounds like: "Holy Ground"

2. "Golf on TV" – Lennon Stella

Lennon Stella / Via youtube.com

You might know Lennon from her role on Nashville. She dropped an album last year that is an absolute delight, including "Golf on TV," a cute love song about finding joy in the simple parts of a relationship.

Sounds like: Delicate.

3. "Keep on Dancing" – Oh Wonder

Oh Wonder / Via youtube.com

This is a dreamy song about finding happiness in loneliness, a theme that runs through a lot of Taylor's music as well. It sounds like a track that could belong on the second half of Reputation or like a more produced version of a folklore song.

Sounds like: "Mirrorball"

4. "In My Head" – Maisie Peters

Maisie Peters

Maisie Peters is a huge Swiftie — she's covered "Enchanted" and "Exile," both of which Taylor commented on on social media. This influence really comes through in Maisie's music; you can tell that she grew up listening to Taylor. Her first single from her debut EP sounds like a Red bonus track, about putting on a front to appear like she's doing way better than she really is.

Sounds like: "State of Grace"

5. "What I Felt With You" – Emma Blackery

Emma Blackery / Via youtube.com

There's something about this song that just screams Taylor Swift — from the background beat, to the whispered vocals, to the reference, to the color blue. It's about a breakup where they both just fell out of love, which she says almost makes it harder than having a huge fight where someone's to blame.

Sounds like: "Getaway Car"

6. "1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back" – Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo VEVO / Via youtube.com

The woman who inspired this article, Olivia Rodrigo, has the Taylor Swift brand all over her music. On "1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back," Olivia includes an interpolation of the piano from Taylor's "New Year's Day."

She credits Taylor and Jack Antonoff, but didn't sample the exact music; otherwise, the royalties would have gone to Taylor's ex label, Big Machine. Queen of being sneaky!

Sounds like: "Dear John" (and "New Year's Day," duh)

7. "One More Weekend" – Maude Latour

Maude Latour

This is a certified bop, the kind that makes you want to dance around your room whenever it comes on. Maude's way of telling a story through her lyrics is very much a Taylor Swift trope that we love to hear.

Sounds like: "I Think He Knows"

8. "Crosslegged in the Kitchen" – Kathryn Gallagher

Kathryn Gallagher / Via youtube.com

This is the song that you put on when your crush comes over and you're dropping hints that you're into them. Kathryn's voice is stunning — she won a Grammy for her performance in Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill.

Sounds like: "False God"

9. "I Miss You, I'm Sorry" – Gracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams VEVO / Via youtube.com

Gracie has credited Taylor for inspiring her music, and after releasing her album Minor, Olivia Rodrigo said that it helped her write "Driver's License." The life cycle of Swifties in the music industry!

"I Miss You, I'm Sorry" is a heavy, sad song about a breakup that is like a non-country version of Taylor's early music.

Sounds like: "Last Kiss"

10. "Falling Asleep at the Wheel" – Holly Humberstone

Holly Humberstone / Via youtube.com

This is one of those classic songs that sound like a fun bop but the lyrics are pretty heartbreaking — something Taylor has mastered over the course of her career. Holly's whole 2020 EP is worth listening to, but this is the standout track. 

Sounds like: "Dancing With Our Hands Tied"

11. "Grieving" – Liz Bissonette

Liz Bissonette / Via youtube.com

As Swifties, we love a sad song that you can lie on your floor and cry to. That's where Liz's song "Grieving" comes in. She's a self-proclaimed Taylor stan, and you can really see that influence shine through in her heart-wrenching songwriting.

Sounds like: "Treacherous"

12. "Sad Girl Heaven" – Elle Winter

Elle Winters / Via youtube.com

This is the song you put on when you're three vodka sodas deep and you're feeling reckless. "Sad Girl Heaven" is the exact kind of upbeat sad shit that Swifties love, and Elle has nailed the vibes. 

Sounds like: "Cruel Summer"

13. "Thoughts" – Sasha Sloan

Sasha Sloan / Via youtube.com

"Thoughts" is a vulnerable track about Sasha's deepest insecurities that'll resonate with anyone who struggles with anxiety. The music has a dreamy quality that even evokes the feeling of getting way too caught up in your own thought spirals. 

Sounds like: "The Archer"

14. "Empty" – Olivia O'Brien

Olivia O'Brien / Via youtube.com

Another gut-wrenching vulnerable song, this one is more upbeat so you can pop your booty to it while low-key crying. It came out back in 2017 but is still a standard fixture on my playlists.

Sounds like: "Death by a Thousand Cuts"

15. "Girl in a Bar" – Anna Vaus

Anna Vaus / Via youtube.com

One of Taylor's best talents is taking the storytelling skills she learned from country music and applying it to all different genres. Anna Vaus has nailed the lyrics in this song, telling the simple story of running into an ex in a bar but turning it into an epic track.  

Sounds like: "Fearless"

16. "STFU and Hold Me" – Liz Huett

Liz Huett / Via youtube.com

Liz was Taylor's backup singer for three years before going solo, so you know she picked up a thing or two. This track evokes a real sense of longing through her soulful voice and the music production, and it should be a playlist staple for any Swiftie. 

Sounds like: "'Tis the Damn Season"

17. "Till Forever Falls Apart" – Ashe and Finneas

AsheMusicVEVO / Via youtube.com

Every now and then you need a classic, slow, sad, ballad. Just ask Speak Now. This song by Ashe and Finneas is powerful and beautiful — about knowing your relationship will stand the test of time, against any obstacle.

Sounds like: "Evermore"

18. "Roses" – Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini VEVO / Via youtube.com

When this song first leaked online, many Swifties were convinced that it was Taylor singing on the track. It's a classic country-pop bop, with lyrics that are extremely straight out of the Taylor Swift playbook. 

Sounds like: "The Other Side of the Door"

19. "Slow Dancing" – Aly and AJ

Aly & AJ / Via youtube.com

Not only does this track sound very much like a 1989 song, but Aly and AJ also have voices pretty similar to Taylor's. It's a chill, acoustic song with dreamy vocals that would fit perfectly on a Sunday afternoon playlist.

Sounds like: "Clean"

20. "Billionaire" – Delta Goodrem

Delta Goodrem / Via youtube.com

We stan women who realize their independent worth, and that's what Delta's done with this. It's all about finding success on her own, despite her mom telling her to marry a rich guy. Plus, there's a killer bridge on this track, and we all know that Taylor is the Queen of Bridges. 

Sounds like: The lyrics of "The Man" but the vibe of "I'd Lie" 

21. "Call off Your Ghost" – Dessa

Dessa / Via youtube.com

The most Taylor-esque thing about this song is the fast, wordy verses that tell the story of a relationship and its downfall. Yes, this track came out in 2013, so it might not have been inspired by Taylor, but it's definitely cut from the same cloth. 

Sounds like: "Champagne Problems"

22. "Rollercoaster" – Bleachers

BleachersVEVO / Via youtube.com

Yeah, obviously a song by Jack Antonoff is going to sound like a song by Taylor Swift. Jack produced a handful of songs on 1989, Reputation, Lover, Folklore, and Evermore, and it's fair to say he has a very distinctive style. This is a fun bop that anyone who loves Taylor, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Lorde will be obsessed with. 

Sounds like: "I Wish You Would"

23. "Soft to Be Strong" – Marina

Marina VEVO / Via youtube.com

'10s pop queen Marina and the Diamonds has rebranded to just "Marina," and this 2019 track has extreme Taylor Swift energy. It's a beautiful song about leaning into being vulnerable in a relationship, and feeling safe enough to let your guard down. 

Sounds like: "Daylight"

24. "More Hearts Than Mine" – Ingrid Andress

Ingrid Andress / Via youtube.com

Another iconic country bop with wonderful rich lyrics, this is a super-cute song about bringing home a partner to meet her parents for the first time. It's got extreme Taylor Swift debut album energy — though with better vocals. 

Sounds like: "Mary's Song"

25. "Heather" – Conan Gray

Conan Grey VEVO / Via youtube.com

Another little Swiftie who has spoken at length about how much Taylor has influenced him, Conan's 2020 debut album is very sonically similar to Speak Now. That doesn't mean it's a cheap knockoff — Conan's a talented songwriter who has put his own spin on the genre of Taylor Swift.

Sounds like: "Speak Now"