Track 1: "Mine" (9/10):
In this opener of the album, an innocent Swift begins to tell the story of a man who's relationship changed her life for the better. And although not every day was an easy one, the love and respect for each counteracted any hardship they were destined to go through for the relationship, and it ended up working out in their favor.
Track 2: "Sparks Fly" (10/10):
Talk about a hook. Swift really shows off her songwriting skills in this album, and this song really is one of the ones that proves that fact. Although you should, you don't really even have to listen to what Swift is talking about to really feel the emotions this song has to offer, with the instrumentals and Swift smiling through her vocals, it is one that will be in your head for a while and correspond positive memories no matter where you are.
Track 3: "Back To December" (11/10):
Swift switches gears on this track to a sense of regret. Swift got so caught up in her own inner demons that she thought it was a good idea to let a true love go, and instantly wished she did not make that decision. This is an ultimate heartbreak track, and she touches on things that happen when you lose someone, like not calling them on their birthday and how hard that can be for both the one who broke the relationship and the one who got broken. The chorus of this song is so strong, too strong and will tug at any and every heartstring. Incredibly done.
Track 4: "Speak Now" (10/10):
Swift picks up the pace with this song by created a fantasy of interrupting a wedding between an ex-lover and their lover who Swift does not approve of. This event that takes place in Swift's imagination is something people have always envisioned in one way or another, and Swift does it in the most perfect and comical way yet, with a happy ending to sign the song off...
Track 5: "Dear John" (11/10):
... to then rip your entire heart out. In this almost 7 minute track, Swift shows us her extremely vulnerable side about her heartbreak, rumored and very evident to be about former boyfriend John Mayer. Swift contrasts this song from the previous "Back To December," and is done talking about her own faults and spins it around to talk about how the man in question made her feel, and yes, she makes it completely known. For me, personally, this is a song everyone needs to listen to. Swift's emotion in this song really carries it over the instrumentation and does not make the song drag on. A true masterpiece in every sense of the word.
Track 6: "Mean" (7/10):
I personally do not like this song. At all. It is very catchy and was undeniably a commercial success, but when there are other lyrically captivating songs on the album, the ones that don't match that really stick out like a sore thumb. HOWEVER, I do enjoy the message of the song of standing up to people who have ever made you feel down.
Track 7: "The Story Of Us" (10/10):
This is Swift's smartest song on the album. And what I mean with that is her analogies to parts of a book: pages, chapters, etc. While telling the story of the relationship here, we see it move in the chapters that were previously mentioned, and the pace of the song is similar to how fast we can sometimes read and how quickly the relationship can fall out of place right before your eyes, and the analogy of the "stories" acknowledges that this relationship was destined to having a closing chapter and ending. Very lyrically gifted in this song.
Track 8: "Never Grow Up" (10/10):
Swift really did not have to go there with this track. I have early memories of this song when a friend of mine sang it in a school concert and I sobbed in the audience, and the tears have never not flowed when this song comes on. Swift has always had an innocence and close relationship with childhoods, and is master of explaining why, and proves that within this song and the cruel things that can be discovered when beginning to grow up. The most emotional song on the album, no doubt.
Track 9: "Enchanted" (11/10):
If there is one song off of this album that everyone should know, it is this one. This held the title of my favorite Taylor Swift song for a while, and is without a doubt still up on top, but this song can really change your life so quickly. Sometimes we can struggle with being in love with someone who can make us feel so special, but their love is already captured by someone else. There is not a dull second in this song, and each line can hit a wound that cannot be described with such a passion. That is the thing about Swift, she can have a long song and not have it just drag on, each lyric has a memory.
Track 10: "Better Than Revenge" (9/10):
Swift takes a playful approach to "the other woman" in a relationship. Once Swift sees the two together, she decides to not be too friendly, and wants to take the approach of well... revenge. Roasting the girl in question every chance she can with subtle digs about clothing, sexuality, etc. A solid track and definitely the track to put on when angry at a lover.
Track 11: "Innocent" (8.5/10):
This is a nice song from Swift. Seems like one that is more for her personally and not really to connect with her audience unless they have really been hurt by someone and got away with it, and wanted to send this song to a specific person as a "wake-up message." She delivers her message perfectly, the recipient of it should hear the message loud and clear.
Track 12: "Haunted" (10/10):
Just the intro of this song puts it on legendary status. The chorus of this song also is stellar and puts it as one of her best. The chilling vibes of the orchestra performing the violins really add onto the theme and elements of the track.
Track 13: "Last Kiss" (9/10):
This song doesn't really have that lasting effect that Swift's song normally do. It is a solid track, don't get me wrong! Very similar to the heartbreak category of the album, where there is an abrupt ending to the relationship in question, and remembering the things that feel like they will never happen with that person again.
Track 14: "Long Live" (10/10):
This song is for the fans. This is the best "thank you" track that I have ever heard. Swift talks about looking out into the crowds of her shows and seeing each and every fan and making a special connection with them. It is the perfect closer to this album because this was written after Swift had her breakout into the music scene, selling million of copies fast.
Final Thoughts: This is my favorite Swift album, each song tells it's own story. A must listen.
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