I’m a music journalist — here are Taylor Swift’s top 10 most underrated songs
Taylor Swift’s new album is all anybody can talk about right now – and people certainly have strong opinions. The Life of a Showgirl might end up being one of her most controversial album launches ever. While Taylor consistently releases chart-topping tracks, some songs don’t get the hype they deserve. As a music journalist (and Swiftie), I’ve looked back on her over 280 song discography to work out which are the most criminally underrated (Picture: Erika Goldring/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
1. Electric Touch
In no particular order, our first underrated track is Electric Touch. I will never stop screaming from the rooftops about this Fall Out Boy collaboration. Released as part of the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) vault, the song has been largely overlooked by fans – as has the album as a whole. Patrick Stump and Taylor’s vocals fit so well together, and this track – plus Hayley Williams on Castle Crumbling – was a win for former emo Swifties (Picture: Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
2. Evermore
Often dubbed Taylor’s least favourite album, the title track for Evermore just doesn’t get the love it deserves. Here we have the lyrical storytelling of the sister albums in full flow, describing feeling ‘unmoored’ as she wastes away to a pain she’s sure will be ‘for evermore’. The imagery in this track is unmatched, painting the scene like a page from a Daphne Du Maurier novel. Unloved, unappreciated, but one day she’ll break free (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )
3. The Last Time
Contrasting Evermore, Red is one of the most popular albums Taylor has ever released, partly thanks to the legendary status of All Too Well. But hidden among the heavy hitters of 22 and I Knew You Were Trouble is The Last Time, featuring Gary Lightbody. It brings the power ballad vibe of a Snow Patrol song but is still recognisably Taylor – one of her best collaborations ever. (Picture: Taylor Swift)
4. Hits Different
Hits Different sadly fell foul of the Midnights marketing strategy, only appearing on the lavender physical versions for months before it was available on streaming. With so many strong songs on both the original and the 3am version, this has slipped by many fans but it’s worth several listens (Picture: Kevin Winter/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
5. Crazier
Okay, including a song from the Hannah Montana movie is a little cheeky as the film – and therefore song – is wildly popular if you’re in a certain demographic, but being released for a movie means it often gets left out of conversations when it comes to Taylor’s music. This 2009 classic deserves its day in the sun (Picture: Disney/Hannah Montana: The Movie)
6. Renegade
Again, the second a song is not on an album, fans forget it exists. Taylor is a featured vocalist on this Big Red Machine – aka Aaron Dessner – track. It’s got some killer lyrics: ‘Let all your damage damage me/ And carry your baggage up my street/ And make me your future history’. While everyone was listening to Folklore, this was on repeat for me (Picture: Big Red Machine/YouTube)
7. Peter
Oh The Tortured Poets Department, this album walked so the hate for The Life of a Showgirl could run. Nestled in the anthology version of the album is this gem, comparing a lover to Peter Pan as she waits for him to choose her. It sums up the feeling behind the album so completely (Picture: Kevin Winter/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
8. A Perfectly Good Heart
All of her debut album is woefully underrated, partly because her vocals aren’t as strong and the production isn’t great. However, all that adds to make this song feel utterly innocent. This is Taylor before the fame, before the hits, before the pop pivot. It’s nostalgic, it’s delicate, and if it had been on the main album rather than a deluxe bonus track, we’d all be singing its praises (Picture: Taylor Swift/ Apple Music)
9. The Alcott
Aaron Dessner makes another appearance as, while he’s well known to Swifties as a frequent Taylor collaborator, her works on his projects go a little unnoticed. This is his band The National’s track, released in 2023, and it almost acts as a follow on from Renegade (Picture: TAS2023 via Getty Images)
10. Say Don’t Go
It’s wild to think any song on 1989 (Taylor’s Version) could possibly be underrated, but with beloved tracks being re-recorded and such a strong vault collection, Say Don’t Go is often forgotten. It’s got a really punchy chorus that with that classic dance-while-screaming vibe, Taylor is oh so good at. A must for any Swiftie’s playlist (Picture: Kevin Winter/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
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