In my opinion, Red is one of Taylor Swift’s most underrated albums. When it first came out in 2012, it revealed her ambition toward pop music while still showing her country roots. It also provided more songs that weren’t necessarily about Swift’s personal experience but stories about others. I love Red because of the beautiful imagery that comes with it. Not only is the album cover and aesthetic a gorgeous fall palette, the stories that Swift paints throughout the album are beautiful.
“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” – Swift’s lyric game really popped off with this song. “Just between us did the love affair maim you too?” I mean, come on. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” is its own masterpiece. Each lyric reveals the story of a passionate romance that leaves (presumably) Swift scorned. You go from reflecting on the beginning of what looked like a long, successful relationship to questions that undermine the entire relationship. The bridge of the song is my favorite part. You can hear the pain and anger in Swift’s voice, and making you, as the audience, feel angry with her. There is nothing like belting this in the car with a group of your friends.
“Red” – An oldie but a goody. When I was younger, I would listen to this song on repeat while in the car. As a kid, the way Swift used colors to describe emotions really made sense in my little brain. To this day, I still love this song. There is a reason the album is called Red. I love the use of the electric guitar at the very end of the song too.
“Come Back… Be Here” – I can’t really pinpoint what I really love about this song. This song shows how it feels to realize you have feelings for someone when they are already gone. Swift easily paints a picture with this one, and I love the lyrics. When I first heard this song, it was all I listened to for weeks straight. It is so addictive and so catchy.
“Sad Beautiful Tragic” – I grew to love this one recently. This song is unlike any other song on the album. It moves at a slower pace and is very melancholy, which I think is why I love it. The bridge is also killer in this song. It makes you want to stare at the sky and contemplate life because it is so depressing. Throughout the song, Swift goes from feeling sad about the breakup to almost resenting the entire relationship, which makes the song that much better.
“I Bet You Think About Me” – I’m petty, what can I say? I love how angry Swift is in this song. Anytime someone roasts Jake Gyllenhaal, I eat it up. She also lets her country roots show, which is always great. Every time this song comes on, I can’t help but smile. Hearing Swift completely rip someone apart with her country accent is one of my favorite things.
No matter how underappreciated, I think Red is one of Swift’s best albums. It mixes of everything: upbeat pop, angry country, and depressing slow songs. If you put it on shuffle, you might get whiplash, but at least there is variety.
Official Ranking
- All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
- Red
- Come Back… Be Here
- Sad Beautiful Tragic
- The Moment I Knew
- I Bet You Think About Me (feat. Chris Stapleton)
- State of Grace
- The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody)
- Ronan
- Better Man
- 22
- Starlight
- I Knew You Were Trouble
- Run (feat. Ed Sheeran)
- The Very First Night
- Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
- Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran)
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
- Message In A Bottle
- Begin Again
- Holy Ground
- Stay Stay Stay
- I Almost Do
- All Too Well
- Treacherous
- Babe
- The Lucky One
- Girl At Home
- Forever Winter