I like to joke that I was raised by Taylor Swift. For as long as I can remember, her songs have been the soundtrack to my life. My mom gave me her old iPod Nano on my eighth birthday. It had a strange assortment of lullabies, eighties rock, and bluegrass. Most of it (as I kindly referred to it) was old people’s music. The only things on it I actually liked were Taylor Swift’s first three albums: Taylor Swift, Fearless, and Speak Now. I listened to them obsessively. Within the first week of having the iPod, I had every one of her songs memorized, you couldn’t pry the headphones out of my ears if you tried. I have followed her ever since, attending her concerts, watching her documentaries, and staying up late to listen to her new music. She is my most listened-to artist of all time and her songs are prominently featured in all my playlists. She’s been a staple in my life for so long, she has outlasted some of my closest friendships. Naturally, throughout the years I have categorized her albums by season. I’ve found (in my opinion) the best times to listen to each album.
Beginning with:
Spring
Spring is a time of growth, renewal, and rebirth. Plants are breaking through the last vestiges of the bitter cold. The world seems to miraculously be coming back to life. Spring feels fresh and new. Taylor Swift and Fearless (Taylor’s Version) both exemplify the essence of spring.
Swift’s debut album, Taylor Swift, is full of songs that detail young high school romances and heartbreaks. Even with songs, such as “Picture to Burn” and “Should’ve Said No”, the country twang and angry ballads perfectly symbolize turning over a new leaf. It’s full of youthful tracks encapsulating the angst of teenage years. Fearless (Taylor’s Version), while slightly more mature, encapsulates the same themes of daydreams, and fairytale romance. Songs such as “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” and “You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version)” truly feel like fairy lights and flowers. These albums perfectly depict the fresh renewal of spring. The lively youthful pop-country songs feel fresh and joyful. No matter what season it currently is, these albums will immediately transport you back to warm spring days full of hope and excitement for the year to come.
Summer
Summer is pink inflatable pool floaties, fruity drinks, and sunburns. It’s a time of fun, relaxation, and freedom. The hot and carefree sunny days of summer pair perfectly with Swift’s albums 1989, Lover, and Folklore.
1989, Swift’s first fully pop album, is full of upbeat songs detailing complicated romances and carefree nights with friends. It’s an album of freedom, showcasing songs such as “Shake it Off” and “New Romantics”. The strong bass lines, catchy hooks, and repetition featured in this album translate perfectly into long, carefree summer days. Lover is 1989’s mature older sister. The album maintains 1989’s upbeat pop melodies while combining them with insightful, complex lyrics. Songs like “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” as well as “Death by a Thousand Cuts” illustrate Swift’s ability to illustrate complex themes while maintaining carefree melodies. Every song feels like driving with the windows down on a hot summer afternoon. While sonically very different from 1989 and Lover, Folklore is also a summer album. The laidback, melancholy songs reflect the feeling of a late summer night full of stargazing and deep conversations. “Cardigan” and “August” beautifully detail longing and reflections on what could have been. And “Betty” illustrates the wistful, idyllic whirlwind summer romance. These three albums capture the freedom and excitement of summer but also the feelings of sun-kissed exhaustion and late-night reflections.
Fall
Fall is a beautiful season filled with colorful leaves and cool breezes. It smells like crisp leaves and spiced cider. It’s a time for cozy sweaters and drinking warm tea by a window. The season is a wonderful mix of beauty, joy, melancholy, and change. The only Taylor Swift album that can accurately convey these nuances is Red (Taylor’s Version).
It is almost impossible to separate this album from the fall season. Red (Taylor’s Version) flawlessly combines upbeat pop anthems, somber ballads, and cutting breakup songs into a cohesive story that depicts every aspect of Fall. melancholy songs such as “The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version)” and “Sad Beautiful Tragic (Taylor’s Version)” detail the raw emotions that follow a monumental heartbreak. Whereas, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)” and “22 (Taylor’s Version)” are anthems celebrating being young and free. Fan favorite, “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)”, utilizes multiple direct references to the fall season to depict the growth, demise, and aftermath of an intense romance. The duality within Red (Taylor’s Version) masterfully captures every aspect of Fall.
Winter
Winter is a complex season. Bitterly cold outside but warm and cozy inside, the end of one year but the beginning of another. For some, holidays are filled with love and joy, for others, they are lonely and depressing. Swift’s albums Speak Now, Reputation, and Evermore perfectly capture every aspect of the winter season.
These albums are bitter and resentful. Speak Now and Reputation are angry, full of scathing lyrics promising revenge. Both of these albums signify a time of turmoil in Taylor Swift’s life, forcing her to re-imagine herself. Reputation’s “Look What You Made Me Do” and Speak Now’s “Better Than Revenge” are chock-full of harsh one-liners and biting remarks. Evermore is depressed, detailing relationships falling apart and bitter loneliness. “Happiness” and “Champagne Problems” beautifully depict the shock and slow recovery that occur at the end of a relationship. However, these albums also have notes of joy, hope, and love. Speak Now contains blissful songs, like “Enchanted”, about love and the exciting hope that comes with a new relationship. “Call It What You Want” and “New Year’s Day” from Reputation perfectly depict a true love that feels safe and can withstand the harsh realities of life. Evermore’s “Willow” reflects on passion and trust between partners. Collectively these albums encompass every aspect of the complex winter season.