Ranking Every Song From Taylor Swift's "folklore"

On July 24, global superstar Taylor Swift released her second album in as many years, surprising even her most loyal fans with 16 new tracks into which she "poured [her] whims, dreams, fears, and musings".

Swift's eighth studio album, entitled "folklore", was met with widespread praise, criticism, and an unprecedented amount of comparisons to her previous work. Written and recorded amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this album saw the perennial pop icon stray from nearly a decade of chart-topping hits, taking a more understated artistic approach instead.

Six weeks following the release of "folklore", I have decided to retract my initial rankings in favor of a refined blog post, including Swift's bonus track entitled "the lakes".

I'll preface my discussion by saying this: ranking any album from top to bottom is an incredibly difficult and perpetually impermanent feat.

17. hoax (⬇️ originally 16)

While Swift's vivid lyricism remains as poignant as ever, her final effort of the album is forced to the bottom of the pack by an otherwise outstanding tracklist. Embracing the natural imperfection of love, "hoax" may serve as a touching poem, but its simplistic piano doesn't do enough musically for me to justify a higher ranking.

16. seven (⬇️ originally 11)

In all honesty, this track's pedestrian melody hits its peak at seven listens. Nonetheless, Swift's ability to both capture and recount a particular moment in time remains unmatched amongst popular 21st century artists. The skill is particularly impressive in the case of "seven", as she details a fictional story about befriending someone with an abusive father.

15. mad woman (⬇️ originally 13)

Featuring the first f-bomb in Swift's discography, the angriest song on "folklore" addresses a blatant double-standard between genders. Though "mad woman" isn't one of the strongest tracks on this album, its pretty melodies in the opening verse are quickly contradicted by haunting vocals, creating an instantly intriguing listen. And the record label war rages on.

14. peace (⬇️ originally 9)

After listening to "folklore" repeatedly, it's easy for "peace" to become lost in the shuffle. Nonetheless, Swift beautifully illustrates her own inadequacies in this charming little dreamscape, perhaps hinting that life as a celebrity often comes at a price. This track also boasts the lyric "Give you my wild, give you a child", which left "Swifties" across the globe with their jaws on the floor.

13. invisible string (⬆️ originally 14)

There's no way around it: "invisible string" is one of the cutest, most innocent tracks in Swift's entire discography. An obvious tribute to her long-term boyfriend Joe Alwyn, this song should arguably rank higher. For whatever reason, it simply isn't one of my favorites. Before I'm berated, its opening lyric is "Green was the color of the grass..."

12. epiphany (⬆️ originally 15)

A chilling ode to war heroes and modern-day nurses alike, this track carries a transcendental tone to set it apart from the majority of Swift's catalog. Unfortunately, the palpable emotions on display here are not enough to carry "epiphany" above the majority of its rivals.

11. mirrorball (⬇️ originally 5)

As I listened to "folklore" on the night of its release, I genuinely may have ranked "mirrorball" as my favorite. Since revisiting the album countless times, my perspective has changed significantly, though this track remains amongst the prettiest of her entire discography. We're all on our tallest tiptoes trying to capture the shimmering light this song exudes.

10. the lakes

Oftentimes it's difficult to maintain a logical perspective when a bonus track is suddenly added to the fold, though that's precisely what I've attempted to do amidst these gorgeous lyrics and symphonic melodies. "Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me?" I'd never traveled to England until immersing myself in this 3 minute and 31 second masterpiece. Take me to "the lakes", Taylor Swift.

9. my tears ricochet (⬆️ originally 12)

Exuding a sorrowful vibe from start to finish, "my tears ricochet" emerges further as a spectacular track with each listen. Boasting one of the stronger bridges on "folklore", this song is as mesmerizing as it is haunting. Whether Swift is singing about her former record label, lost love, or something else entirely, lines such as "And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?" have become instantly iconic.

8. this is me trying (⬆️ originally 10)

"And it's hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound". To be totally honest, placing "this is me trying" eighth almost feels disrespectful. Swift's vocals on this track are absolutely exquisite, whilst her lyrics display a sense of heartfelt fragility. Few modern artists can turn a phrase so effortlessly, with lyrics such as "I got wasted like all my potential" or "I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere".

7. exile (⬇️ originally 6)

I should preface my description by admitting that "exile" could easily land amongst the best tracks on "folklore". Thus, I wholeheartedly support anyone who places this one atop their list. So why am I ranking it seventh? Perhaps it's the unexpected vocals of Justin Vernon or slow build inherent in this type of collaboration, but by the latter half of the song, Swift and Vernon's vocals collide harmoniously for a soaring, flawless performance. I think I've heard this song before, and I really liked the ending.

6. cardigan (⬆️ originally 8)

From the opening moments of this track, Swift carefully paints an elaborate picture of a time she cannot recover (a recurring theme throughout the album). Though I was initially puzzled by her decision to release "cardigan" as the lead single from "folklore", six weeks of radio time has altered my perspective significantly. At this point, I'm fully confident that when the Coronavirus pandemic ends and some inevitable form of a "Lover/folklore tour" commences, there will be packed stadiums of fans across the globe screaming this one at record-setting decibel levels. Might as well put it on and say it's your favorite.

5. illicit affairs (⬇️ originally 2)

Perhaps the folkiest track of this album (Alexa, is 'folkiest' a word?), "illicit affairs" seems to be thoroughly underrated amongst the majority of critics. Thus, I may have overcorrected in my original rankings. Nonetheless, both Swift's versatility and remarkable knack for creating visual imagery are on full display in this moving ballad. Ironically, she seems to have taught her fans a secret language they can't speak with anyone else.

4. the 1 (⬆️ originally 7)

Though less emotionally vulnerable than many competing tracks, "the 1" is an immediate sing-a-long, and does a fantastic job of setting the tone for a new era in Swift's discography -- one characterized by poised and unapologetic sincerity. It would've been fun if Billboard had made this song number one.

3. the last great american dynasty (⬆️ originally 4)

A historical lesson about the life of Rebekah Harness (whose former mansion was purchased by Swift in 2015), this track remains as charming as it is catchy, leaving its listeners longing for a place they've never known. "the last great american dynasty" provides yet another example of one undeniable truth: Swift's evolution as a songwriter throughout the years is nothing short of remarkable. I had a marvelous time spamming the loop button on this one.

2. august (⬆️ originally 3)

Swift captivates listeners from her opening words in this bittersweet, nostalgic track. Harnessing hints of her pop background, "august" lands as a timeless jam, morphing the sound into comforting, airy solace, whilst emphasizing a pure image of juvenile love. Thanks for representing my birth month in such memorable fashion, Taylor. We're still living for the hope of it all.

1. betty (↔️ still 1)

When 2020 Taylor Swift releases a nostalgic "country" song after repeatedly topping the pop charts, it's hard not to take notice. Written from the perspective of a 17-year-old boy, "betty" is an utterly mesmerizing track highlighting Swift's ability to embody fictional characters in addition to composing personal numbers. This track is everything Swifties never knew they always needed. And once again, Billboard's "Woman of the Decade" is off to a strong start in the '20s.

If you're interested in additional album rankings, follow the links below:

    Maroon 5 - Red Pill Blues 

    Paramore - After Laughter

    Ed Sheeran - No.6 Collaborations Project