Let’s start at the beginning: Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut album. Now I’ll be honest, I don’t listen to this album a lot. Sorry if you’re an avid fan, but I forget about it! It’s a country album, and while I do like country, it isn’t my favorite genre of music. But that does not mean that Swift’s album isn’t great. Some of the songs on here are top-tier. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Where did she start?
When she was 14, Swift left her small hometown in Pennsylvania and moved to Nashville to pursue a music career. By the time she was 16, her debut album was out. Swift began working with experienced songwriter Liz Rose. They co-wrote seven of the eleven songs on the album.
Swift’s debut album is full of youthful energy since she wrote these while in high school, dating, breaking up, and growing up. The album has a perfect blend of upbeat songs like “Our Song” and “Should’ve Said No” and slow, emotional songs that tug at your heartstrings like “Cold As You” and “Teardrops On My Guitar.” It really does show the talent of young Swift. She knows how to write good music.
Our Song – Come on. This is a classic. Swift self-penned this song for the talent show in her freshman year of high school. That is insane. If you don’t think so, I dare you to write a song that hits 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Let me know when you’ve made it. This gets nostalgia points from me because it was the very first Taylor Swift song I ever listened to. The lyrics delve into the story of a young couple that uses regular events in their lives to create their own song. (Hint: Why it’s called Our Song.) Everything about this is good. I can easily picture the story that the lyrics tell in my head. The music, specifically the FIDDLE, is so good. It is a song that gets stuck in my head every time I play it. It’s definitely my favorite from the album.
Cold As You – This one is slept on. This song details Swift’s relationship with an emotionally unavailable man. She goes through how cruel and toxic this relationship is in such a perfect way. The tempo of the song is slow, and you can hear the hurt in her voice. Even if you haven’t been through something like this, you can easily empathize with Swift because of how vulnerable her lyrics are. “I’ve never been anywhere as cold as you.” It is so simple but so good. This also marked the beginning of Swift’s fifth song on each album being a more “emotionally vulnerable” ballad.
Mary’s Song (Oh My My My) – When I hear this song, it soothes me. It is the classic childhood friends to lovers. Swift got her inspiration for this song from a happily married couple next door. She sought to portray the happiness and comfort that the couple showed. This song is well-loved by many, and for good reason.
Tim McGraw – This debut single deserves every award it gets. In it, Swift hopes her ex-boyfriend will think of her every time he hears her favorite song by Tim McGraw (hence the name of the song). It is nostalgic, engaging, and simple. It is featured on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time.” So, if you disagree with me, take it up with Rolling Stone. They know what’s going on.
Should’ve Said No – Swift found her inspiration to write this song after she found out that her boyfriend cheated on her. Apparently, she wrote the chorus in five minutes. That is insane. Do you know how hard it is to write a good chorus in the first place? And she did that in five minutes. If you need an angry song to scream at the top of your lungs, this is the one.
Swift’s debut album is an oldie but a goodie. Swift’s love for songwriting is obvious throughout these songs. As a Swiftie, it is nice going back and listening to where it all began. After writing this, I definitely have a newfound appreciation for this album.
Official Ranking
- Our Song
- Cold As You
- Mary’s Song (Oh My My My)
- Tim McGraw
- Should’ve Said No
- Teardrops On My Guitar
- A Perfectly Good Heart
- A Place In This World
- Picture To Burn
- Stay Beautiful
- I’m Only Me When I’m With You
- Tied Together With A Smile
- The Outside
- Invisible
