Ranking the Best Songs on ‘Lover’ from this New Taylor Swift Era
I realize I’ve said this before, but yes, I do realize I’ve posted quite a lot that centers around the release of Taylor Swift’s new album Lover. However, given that it’s now been in the world for a week (a week in which it’s already broken records), and I’ve incessantly listed to said album, I did want to circle back and share a little post of ranking Taylor Swift’s Lover, and the 18 songs that arrive with it.
Why I so enjoy Taylor’s music is something of a mystery. Most of the time I cannot personally relate to the stories she tells. Nonetheless she grew up writing romantic, swoony ballads that speak to anyone who’s a romantic. When Red released, little did we realize this was the start of a shift in Taylor’s music. Even her promotional material made a drastic change. Then her transformation arrives in 1989, a pop-y album when the most adult lyrical stories hit. This continued with Reputation and straight on into her seventh album, which we know as Lover.
Today I decided to share my least favorite to favorite of the 18 tracks that is TS7. Taylor’s songs have this way of growing on me the longer I listen, and the more time passes. I suspect this will be the truth of Lover as well. But as of now, a week (or nearly) into listening to this album, here are my thoughts.
(Before we press on, no this isn’t going to become a Taylor-centric space, but I did want to post this write up. Just because. Also, I cannot promise this will be the last post related to this artist. But I do think this will be the last for a while.)
Here we go.
Ranking Taylor Swift’s Lover
18: False God | Yeah… just not feeling this one… at all. ★★½
17: You Need to Calm Down | Super fun in its delivery, and I like that it’s one of those “pop” songs that instantly plays over (and over) in your mind, but it’s just not a favorite. ★★½
16: The Man | …again, just not my kind of song. I think the quality is really good though. ★★½
15: Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince | I struggle to know where to rank this one. On the one hand I like the darker tone (that still works as a “bop” – is this what the kids call these tunes nowadays?). But it also confuses me. Is this a grown up version of teenage love circa Speak Now or Fearless? Or is it a love song that masquerades as a political beat? The lyrics of this one intrigue me. ★★½
14: Cruel Summer | Again, another one with great music and production, but I just don’t love it. ★★½
13: It’s Nice to Have a Friend | Another one that I’m trying to figure out. Is it meant to be a vignette of the different forms of friendship or is it a linear story of two people growing up and falling in love? I DO love the lighthearted production of this one! ★★½
12: I Forgot That You Existed | To be honest, I kind of like this one, and think it gets the album off to a great start (it’s SASSY!), but I think the message is dangerous. Taylor herself has said she doesn’t agree with forgiveness for certain people, and I think that’s unhealthy. ★★★
Sounds of the ‘Lover’ Album: This is Taylor Swift’s New Era
11: Death By a Thousand Cuts | Inspired by the Netflix movie Someone Great, this one is about a tough break up, and the feelings that come with the realization when a multi-year relationship just ends with little to no reason or explanation. ★★★
10: ME! | Ok, I know… I’m unusual. Lyrically, on its own, this one is not the best, but as a duet, it works. I understand the complaints about this one, but I also think it’s a kind of “tongue in cheek” song that Taylor doesn’t intend to be taken seriously – and that’s what makes it fun. ★★★
9: I Think He Knows | This one is growing on me. It’s cute in many ways, and as I said in my “first impression” thoughts, I really like the opening “snaps” that give the song that added sense of being in the pop music genre. Plus that run, “he got my heartbeat skipping down 16th avenue…” SO CUUUTE! ★★★½
8: Afterglow | This one is probably a song easy to relate to, because no matter the relationship, we all have to apologize to someone we love; this one is a nice song that has what sounds like a drum beat which distracts from the topic of the lyrics. ★★★½
7: Paper Rings | Another one that is growing on me… I’m just not sure if it’s going to become a new favorite. ★★★½
6: Daylight | Originally the album title, this one isn’t as pretty as its title suggests, but it’s a fitting epilogue for this album. ★★★★
5: Soon You’ll Get Better | Lyrically I think this one is strong until the “I hate to make this about me” line. I get the depth of what these lyrics mean, but think this portion could have been so much stronger, or maybe written differently? Either way, this one has a lot of weight because it’s about the health struggles Taylor’s mom has gone through. I don’t think anyone will be untouched by this one. ★★★★
4: London Boy | This one is a juxtaposition of feels. Love the title, sound (it flows so well) and the idea of it. But something holds me back too. I suspect this is one that will continue to grow on me. ★★★★
3: The Archer | One of Taylor’s more vulnerable songs on this record, I really like the honesty of this one. It’s true, she has been the prey of so many… but she’s also been the archer. ★★★★½
2: Lover | This one is a really pretty picture story of, well, a love story. It’s well written and the music video that accompanies it is like the cherry on top of a lovely, lyrical song. ★★★★½
1: Cornelia Street | I think this is the favorite of many. Lyrically, this one is pretty strong, and it would work “stripped down,” which is something Taylor does for some of her songs live or on the rare occasion she releases a “special edition” of an album. The story is pretty, and for being a semi depressing love story, it’s got a surprisingly upbeat feel. ★★★★½
Looking back over this, I wonder why since her self-titled Taylor Swift album I’ve been so eager for new music from her. I say this because I rate (in terms of stars) many of these songs low. But like I said, from 1989 on, with each album, the longer it’s out more I like the songs, lyrics and the story behind them. Taylor is also known to write songs about things she observes or friends. Makes me wonder how many of these fall into that category.
There’s my ‘Ranking Taylor Swift’s Lover’ list and publication. Tell me, how would you rank the songs? Did you post anything about the release or post-Lover release? Or maybe did you publish your own ‘Ranking Taylor Swift’s Lover’? If so, let me know where I can find your write up. I’d love to chat with you about this new era of TSwift.
Thank you for visiting
Your post made me look forward to listen to her new songs! I’ve only heard what’s on the radio and Me! is such a fun one that makes me smile- I love Brandon’s voice, it was a great pick for a duet.
ME! is SO much fun. I get where people dislike it, but I think we also have to realize this kind of song (and I 100% think this is Taylor’s intention is meant to be fun). Did you hear and/or like any of these new songs? :)
Love this post, Rissi! I decided to take a break from listening to the album yesterday before I burned it out too quickly, but upon seeing this I just had to put it back on ? So many of these songs have grown on me, but there are still some that I skip halfway. My least favorites are probably: The Man, Miss Americana, and It’s Nice to Have A Friend. The beats aren’t as catchy for me. My favorites are Cornelia Street (top fave!), Daylight, Death By A Thousand Cuts, and Lover. But honestly, all of these are growing on me big time! There’s a lot of things that I don’t know or notice about her and her songs, but whenever I read about the easter eggs in the song and links to previous songs/albums, I’m always impressed (and that she does it subtly and well too)! I didn’t think I’d be a big fan of her music, but I’ve really loved her last three albums ? (Sorry for the really long comment LOL)
Please don’t apologize for any comment, Dini; I appreciate and enjoy reading them all – long or short! Love chatting with everyone. :) My apologies for the late reply. (Thank YOU for reading!!)
I really like the way ‘Friend’ is set up, but am wondering WHAT IS IT ABOUT?! It’s an interesting little song. :) I haven’t (so far) gone through burnout with a T Swift album, and in fact hers are the only ones I still buy on CD; anyone else I pretty much just purchase digitally. Love ‘Cornelia Street.’ It’s such a sweet love song (and one she wrote solo, too!), also YES, ‘Lover,’ another good one. I’ve liked her music for as long as I can remember but don’t think I started listening the “second” she was new to the scene. I’m most curious to hear what her new recordings of her old albums will sound like!
The Man, Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, and Paper Rings are the three I listen to on repeat on my way to work. I can’t quite decide whether or not It’s Nice to Have a Friend. I’m in the minority that doesn’t love Cornelia Street. I like it fine; it’s just not a fave. We do have the same least fave though. False God is the only song that I routinely skip.
I’m REALLY liking “Paper Rings” the more I hear it, Brittany! It’s just… fun! Nothing wrong with not loving a song. :) Yeah… I just haven’t gotten into “False God.” Sometimes I let it play through to see if that changes, but nope. Not yet. So glad you stopped by to share! Thanks.