Taylor Swift has dominated 2023, generating endless reams of content, so why not add to it? I came up with my ten favorite Taylor Swift songs of the last ten years (as in, from 1989 onward). I inserted this seemingly arbitrary cut-off just because the task of creating a list from her whole catalog seemed too daunting, and because I know these later albums much better than her first few.

10. “Lavender Haze” (Midnights)

The dark, swirling, all-encompassing production, with its deep synth-bass and thumping beat, anchors a great vocal line from Taylor.

 

9. “False God” (Lover)

I don’t know many people who rate this one highly, or even think about it much, but I love it. It locks into a sultry, satisfying groove.

 

8. “Karma” (Midnights)

“Karma” would probably be a lot higher if my daughter hadn’t requested it one million times this past summer. The music is top-notch — most of Midnights’ production was handled by Jack Antonoff alongside Swift, but “Karma” and “Lavender Haze” notably feature contributions from Sounwave, known for his work with Kendrick Lamar. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the album’s best tracks are the ones with an outside voice and perspective.

 

7. “exile” (folklore)

“exile is a stunningly potent duet between Taylor Swift and Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver). The emotion is palpable, the melodies are impressive, and the chemistry is undeniable.

 

6. “I Did Something Bad” (Reputation)

Historically, I haven’t had the highest opinion of Reputation, though it has grown on me in the years since its release. One thing I’ve known from the beginning, however, is that “I Did Something Bad” slaps.

 

5. “Style” (1989)

“Style” is Taylor’s best sounding song. That foreboding Max Martin production in the intro and verses, with its “question-and-answer” format, is the epitome of cool. It’s the kind of song that send you headfirst into your imagination.

 

4. “Lover” (Lover)

“Lover” feels like a standard that has existed for 50 years. It sounds like a live band on stage in an empty auditorium, playing a song you swear has been in your bones your whole life.

 

3. “invisible string” (folklore)

Delicately beautiful, in both instrumentation and sentiment. Taylor is at her best when she’s not forcing the music to conform to her lyrics. When the music and words flow naturally together, that’s when she reaches greatness.

 

2. “New Romantics” (1989)

The euphoric, transcendent chorus makes my heart skip a beat. I’ve been told the lyrics are dumb, but I wouldn’t know. It’s too exhilarating to give that any heed.

 

1. “Blank Space” (1989)

Expertly crafted, with delightfully self-aware lyrics and a huge, larger-than-life sound befitting the pop star behind it.

 

And as a little bonus, here’s my next ten, from #11 to #20: “Shake It Off,” “this is me trying,” “How You Get The Girl,” “seven,” “Anti-Hero,” “the last great american dynasty,” “Cruel Summer,” “Call It What You Want,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “It’s Nice To Have A Friend.”