There’s no denying that Taylor Swift is one of the most influential pop stars of the 21st Century. With a career that spans nineteen years, fifteen full studio albums (including four re-recorded albums), record breaking tours, and enough accolades to fill an entire Wikipedia page, Taylor Swift is definitely a force to be reckoned with. It would be hard to truly rank Taylor Swift albums. She does not have a bad entry in her entire discography, and every album is iconic in its own right. She has also experimented so much with genre over the years, which makes the idea of ranking albums all the more subjective. But, we love a challenge, so we ranked them anyway. Here is our ranking of Taylor Swift’s albums. Taylor’s Version albums are counted in lieu of the original release)
11
‘Taylor Swift’
(2006)
Swift’s debut self-titled album was released in 2006, quickly putting her on the map, and on the charts. The album touts iconic singles such as “Our Song” and “Tim McGraw,” which feature a sweet, teenage Taylor musing about love, heartbreak, and growing up. While the album is a fantastic debut, it also doesn’t feel quite as indicative of what Swift would later prove herself capable of.
10
‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’
(2021)
Two years after the release of Taylor Swift, Swift released her sophomore album, 2008’s Fearless, which was re-recorded and released as the first Taylor’s Version album in 2021. Notably, this album included “Love Story,” which has since reached 8x Platinum status in the United States, and has been included on every Taylor Swift tour setlist since. Fearless was also the first album to win Swift an Album of the Year. The album is fun and full of everything from upbeat songs like “You Belong With Me” to more deep-cutting ballads like “White Horse,” which have withstood the test of time seventeen years after its release.
9
‘Lover’
(2019)
By 2019, Swift had left her first label, Big Machine Records, and had signed with Universal Music Group. With that change came the release of Lover. While this album definitely has some strong tracks, such as “Lover,” “Cornelia Street,” “The Archer,” and “London Boy,” this album arguably has the weakest singles. Songs like “Me!” or “The Man” feel a bit like they’re trying a touch too hard to recreate the pop magic of 1989, but without the charm. Swift has been able to prove throughout her career that she can navigate everything from upbeat pop songs to soul-crushing ballads. But, there is something about Lover that doesn’t feel quite cohesive enough, and it is arguably her weakest pop album.
8
‘Speak Now’ (Taylor’s Version)
(2023)
In 2010, Swift released her third album, Speak Now, which received the Taylor’s Version treatment in 2023. This album was particularly noteworthy, as it was the first and only Taylor Swift album to credit Swift as the sole songwriter on every song. This album is arguably one of Swift’s most underrated albums. There are so many gems on this album, like “Dear John,” “Enchanted,” and “Haunted.” In so many ways, Swift’s first four albums feel like a half step above each predecessor, and this album seems to feel symbolic of the highest expectations she holds herself to, as being able to tout an entire album of solo-written songs is no easy feat.
7
‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’
(2023)
Art is subjective. It would be difficult to say what album is definitively the most iconic pop album of the 2010s. But, 1989 (originally released in 2014 and re-released in 2023) is certainly a contender. Most noted for being the album that officially bridged Swift’s gap between country and pop, 1989 was one of Swift’s most pivotal albums. The cultural influence this had in the mid-2010s can not be understated. The “squad” and its influence on the “Bad Blood” music video. The Fourth of July parties. The tee-up of events that would eventually lead to the infamous Kim Kardashian and Kanye West versus Taylor Swift feud. While Taylor Swift was certainly established within the music industry prior to the release of this album, 1989 is arguably what planted the seeds for the mega-star she is today. Featuring pop bangers like “Shake It Off” and “New Romantics,” this album holds up as one of the better pop albums of the 21st Century.
6
‘Reputation’
(2017)
Reputation is such a brilliant album from so many angles. Coming off the heels of a full-on pop album like 1989, Swift turned the heat up with Reputation, utilizing synths, drum machines, and a more electronic sound, departing even further from her previous albums. It capitalized on the infamous Kim Kardashian and Kanye West versus Taylor Swift controversy, while allowing Swift to reclaim her career (and reputation). It sent a message to fans of the power of not allowing yourself to be knocked down, and taking control of your own narrative. And, it presented a perfectly stacked story of finding love in the midst of chaos. It features some of Swift’s most underrated tracks, like “Dancing With Our Hands Tied” or “Call It What You Want,” and overall, it is one of Swift’s stronger pop albums. Like many albums on this list, Reputation falls into the category of “This would be ranked higher if not for …”
5
‘The Tortured Poets Department’
(2024)
In early 2024, right in the middle of her iconic Eras Tour, Swift announced her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, and later, its deluxe version, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. While this album is definitely strong, featuring songs that showcase Swift’s songwriting prowess, the inclusion of “The Anthology” make for an album that feels a little too long, and a little less cohesive. However, that is not to say this isn’t a phenomenal album. Swift pulled out all the stops, including some of her most iconic collaboration tracks, like “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone and “Florida!!!” featuring Florence + The Machine. “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” feels like one of Swift’s most scathing breakup songs, while “Down Bad” or “But Daddy I Love Him” feel like grown up takes on some of Swift’s early work. The track list includes more hits than misses, but Swift could have benefited from maybe cutting down a few songs, and instead combining the two albums into one.
4
‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’
(2021)
Red was initially released in 2012, and was re-released as Taylor’s Version in 2021. This album is arguably the strongest of her pre-pop era. It is cohesive, balanced, and vulnerable. It has overarching themes of heartbreak without ever crossing into the too-gloomy territory. Songs like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “22” feel like an appetizer for the full-blown pop songs that would follow Red, while the full album showcases Swift’s strengths as a songwriter. (I mean, come on, “All Too Well: Ten Minute Version.” Need I say more?)
3
‘Midnights’
(2022)
From so many angles, 2021’s Midnights feels like Swift’s strongest pop album. It has lyrical prowess of albums like Red and Folklore, but keeps the fun upbeat feelings of 1989. It also feels symbolic of The Eras Tour in so many ways, as it was the last era to close out every show. Songs like “Karma” and “Lavender Haze” have such a dreamy pop vibe to them. Midnights also earned Swift her fourth Grammy for Album of the Year, making her the record holder for most Album of the Year wins for any artist, breaking the tie she previously shared with greats like Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Simon.
2
‘Folklore’
(2020)
In July 2020, Swift announced the surprise release of her album, Folklore. Recorded during lockdown, this album became a massive commercial success for Swift, garnering multiple accolades (including a 2021 Album of the Year Grammy Award). This album felt like a bit of a departure for Swift, as it stylistically leaned more into a more folk style. But, it captured exactly what makes Swift such a gifted artist, as it demonstrated probably better than any of its predecessors just how brilliant Swift is at songwriting. From the way she loosely created an overarching narrative through songs like “Betty,” “Cardigan,” and “August,” to the story she told of her Rhode Island home’s original owner, Folklore is one of Swift’s strongest, most cohesive albums.
1
‘Evermore’
(2020)
Following the success of Folklore, Swift announced in December of 2020 that its sister album, Evermore would be released. This album feels like a true “sister” album to Folklore, albeit, the forgotten younger sister that’s living in her older sister’s shadow. While the pure fact that it was released so closely to Folklore may have hurt the momentum for Evermore’s release, this album is just as good, and arguably cuts to the core even deeper than Folklore. Songs like “Tis the Damn Season,” “Tolerate It,” and “Champagne Problems” are perfect gut punches to the soul, while “Marjorie” never fails to evoke goosebumps. Taylor may forget this album exists, but I won’t. It’s time to give Evermore her due credit!
