Rating: 8/10
Taylor Swift’s Reputation was a big step away from the themes of her previous albums. It was darker and more sophisticated than her previous records, and the album, despite having no interview-promotion, was hugely successful. Personally, the sound of the album isn’t really my favorite, which is why I’ve rated it relatively low. However, I can appreciate the album for what it was meant to be, and I do like it. I just can’t rate it super highly because it’s not the genre of music I really like.
In this post I’ll be ranking all of the songs from Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album, Reputation, from worst to best. These are just my opinions, so sorry if you don’t agree with them.
15. Dress (Track 12)
It may be controversial that I put this song lowest on the list, but I’m gonna stick with it. The song is a little to sultry for my taste, and I’m not really a fan of how almost the entire song is sung in upper-register head voice.
14. So It Goes… (Track 7)
This song is just kind of boring. There is some interesting lyricism, but the song really isn’t that exciting to listen to. I do really like when it goes ‘so it goes’ in the chorus. That is a really pleasant facet of the chorus.
13. Gorgeous (Track 8)
I don’t dislike this song, but I don’t love it. I like Taylor’s vocals, and the chorus is my favorite part of the song, but the verses don’t do much for me.
12. Look What You Made Me Do (Track 6)
I know opinions on this song are pretty divided. Personally, I like it but I don’t love it. Lyrically, it’s really interesting (in the verses, that is) and it’s fun to recite. Plus, it’s iconic.
11. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things (Track 13)
“It was so nice throwing big parties, jump into the pool from the balcony. Everyone swimming in a champagne sea. And there are no rules when you show up here, bass beat rattling the chandelier. Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year.” The main reason I like this song is because, firstly, I like the description in the verses. They paint a nice picture. Secondly, I like the upbeat tone, which is a rarity on this album. And thirdly, Taylor’s laugh towards the end.
10. New Year’s Day (Track 15)
Again, it’s probably unpopular for me to rank this song relatively low on the list, as it’s beloved by the fans. And I really do like this song. I appreciate it’s thematic significance, and I really love how stripped back it is, especially when contrasted with the rest of the album. However, it’s just not one I find myself listening to often.
9. King of My Heart (Track 10)
I really like Taylor’s vocals here, and I love the synths in the chorus. The chorus is what makes the song for me, in fact. I also like the lyricism. I don’t listen to it too often, but it’s one I look forward to when listening to the album.
8. Dancing With Our Hands Tied (Track 11)
This song marks the point on the list where all the songs from here on out are my favorites from the album. Surprisingly, the pre-chorus is my favorite part of this song. It’s really the only reason this song is ranked so high. It just makes me want to move around.
7. …Ready For It? (Track 1)
Not gonna lie, Taylor’s not a terrible rapper. I like the verses on this song, and the pre-chorus is pretty cool, but I can’t deny that the chorus of this song really steals the show. It’s so dreamy, and it’s just great to listen to.
6. End Game (Track 2)
I think most people wouldn’t have this song so high up, and to be honest, I wouldn’t either if it weren’t for the pre-chorus. Something about it is so poignant and relatable for me. “I don’t wanna touch you, I don’t wanna be just another ex-love you don’t wanna see. I don’t wanna miss you like the other girls do.” The rap verses aren’t really my favorite (actually, I like Ed Sheeran’s) but the pre-chorus just hits different, and it’s made this song one of my favorites to listen to.
5. Call It What You Want (Track 14)
I originally had this song far lower on the ranking, but I guess I just saw something different in this song after relistening to it the other day. It’s such a beautiful ode to the love Taylor’s experiencing, and you can tell that this is the happiest and most comfortable she’s ever been in a relationship. I also love the opening instrumental. Overall, this is a very touching and refreshing love song.
4. Delicate (Track 5)
This song didn’t do much for me when I first heard it, but upon relistening to it many times, I actually really appreciate it. Similarly to 1989‘s track 5, sonically, it doesn’t sound too emotional, but lyrically, it’s actually very vulnerable and relatable. I like the reserved synths, and I like how Taylor doesn’t try to do too much with her voice. This song was meant to be cautious and shy, not showy and outspoken. It’s meant to be delicate. I get happy butterflies every time I hear this one.
3. I Did Something Bad (Track 3)
If you think LWYMMD is a bad-girl anthem, just wait till you hear this. I Did Something Bad shows Taylor declaring that she’s fine with her decisions, even if they’ve been the subject of public scrutiny/criticism. I kind of wish this could’ve been a single, but I don’t know if it’s really a radio song. It has too much power. “I never trust a narcissist, but they love me. So I play ’em like a violin, and I make it look oh so easy. ‘Cause for every lie I tell them, they tell me three. This is how the world works, now all he thinks about is me. I can feel the flames on my skin, crimson-red paint on my lips. If a man talks s**t then I owe him nothing. I don’t regret it one bit ’cause he had it coming.”
2. Getaway Car (Track 9)
“It was the best of times, the worst of crimes. I struck a match and blew your mind, but I didn’t mean it, and you didn’t see it. The ties were black, the lies were white. In shades of gray in candlelight. I wanted to leave him. I needed a reason.” This song is the president of Repuation’s ‘Should Have Been a Single’ club. I’m also pretty sure that Swifties universally agree that this is the one of the best songs on the album. It’s just classic Taylor. From wonderful story-telling in the lyrics, to a careful retelling of how a relationship ended, it’s just an amazing song. It’s radio-friendly without being generic, and the production is fantastic. This song has Taylor comparing a rebound relationship to a getaway car. The two people are leaving everything behind, trying to make the relationship last as long as it can, while knowing that it’s bound to fail. “You were driving the getaway car, we were flying, but we’d never get far. Don’t pretend it’s such a mystery, think about the place where you first met me. Riding in a getaway car, there were sirens in the beat of your heart. Should’ve known I’d be the first to leave, think about the place where you first met me.”
1. Don’t Blame Me (Track 4)
I don’t know what happened, but somehow this song went from being in the bottom-middle of my ranking to being my favorite on the whole album. This song is INCREDIBLE. It’s so moody and seductive and atmospheric, you can just tell that Taylor was having so much fun making it. The lyrics in the verses are really good, and the chorus, while not lyrically advanced, is so powerful and forceful that it makes up for it. The gospel influence adds so much richness to the track, and that part at the end of the chorus where it’s just the choir (of Taylor’s voice) singing makes me ASCEND EVERY TIME I HEAR IT. AND THEN TAYLOR’S HIGH NOTE JUST MAKES IT EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE. Basically, this song is amazing and even though it was a grower for me, I literally never get sick of hearing it now.