I am going through Taylor Swift’s albums in preparation for her Eras Tour. A select few have asked my rankings and thoughts on songs/I love lists, so I decided to rank the songs on the albums as I go through.

This first one is the one I’m MOST excited to get the re-record with her more mature voice. It’s also the one that came out before I really started listening to her music pretty frequently and regularly, so it was fun to dive back into.

This list is based on the current version and current vocals. Some nostalgia is captured here. It’s a blend of what was my favorite/what is now. The list at 13 would look very different than it does now. It’s a capture of my experience and growth. Thoughts now and then mixed.

I will update after the new re-record and the vault songs come out.

1. Teardrops On My Guitar. I grew up listening to this edit with the “so funny” instead of “da** funny.” There is a lot of nostalgia behind this being my favorite. It was the first song I loved by her. I thought with time, I’d knock it down, but it’s still number one for me. Likely in large part due to nostalgia. But even setting that aside, I still think this is number one.
2. Picture to Burn. Whether it’s “Before He Cheats” or this song, there’s just something about this vibe. There’s also some nostalgia to this choice still. I have no personal connection to this. I’ve never been cheated on, but there’s something universal about this vibe, I think. My teenage self would belt this out with all the imagined heartbreak and drama queen tendency. A jam that my teenage self just couldn’t help but belt. And again, setting aside nostalgia, still think this is two. (I do like the lyric edit change that makes it so I feel better about singing this.)
3. Invisible. This would not have been my favorite at 13, which is how old I was when this album came out. But it grew on me. Later my teenage angsty teenager did relate to this song, though. Again a lot of nostalgic casting here, but I still think this is number three.
4. Should’ve Said No. Same really as #2 on this list. Did I mention I was an angsty teenager? But still, I think even without that casting that this is number 4.
5. Tim McGraw. I want to rank this one higher. I love the storytelling in it, but the others edged it out. But it’s great.
6. Our Song. It’s just catchy, and even though some of the lyrics don’t make sense, it’s incredibly solid.
7. Cold As You. The lyrics to this one are very well done. This is one, in particular, I can’t wait for new vocals on. This stanza is great. “You put up the walls and paint them all a shade of gray / And I stood there loving you, and wished them all away
   / And you come away with a great little story / Of a mess of a dreamer with the nerve to adore you.” That last line.
8. Place In this World. Another one I can’t wait to hear the re-record.
9. Mary’s Song (Oh My My). This is another one that I want to rank higher than I did. I love the storytelling here. But I am convinced this is the right spot for it. It’s also another one I want the re-record!
10. The Outside. I also want the re-record here. Sensing a theme yet? This one and the one below it were hard to rank.
11. Tied Together With a Smile. Also, want the re-record here.
12. A Perfectly Good Heart. This was one of the hardest ones for me to rank. If it wasn’t so repetitive, I think it would be much higher. Another I want the re-record! I think the re-record would maybe bump this up too.
13. Stay Beautiful. Good, but I feel it’s too repetitive.
14. I’m Only Me When I’m With You. I also want the re-record here. Just not my favorite. But still catchy.

The top 6 were battling for placement, then 7-11 were battling for placement, and then 11-14. I was surprised by how much I love this album even now. Some great storytelling, even at this young age.

What about you?