What I Learned After Listening to Every Taylor Swift Album

For years, whenever Taylor Swift came up in conversation, my go-to response was, “I like her public persona, but her music isn’t really for me.” It was easy to say, but one day I realized something: I had never actually given her music a real chance. So, I decided to dive in headfirst and listen to all of her albums, chronologically, as they were released.

The journey started with her self-titled debut, and right away, I was surprised. I had always thought of Taylor Swift as a pop star, but her early albums are undeniably country. I’ve never been much of a country fan—though I do enjoy some Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. While Taylor’s early work had its charm, the themes of love and faith felt broad and vague, which makes sense given her widespread appeal. It didn’t resonate with me personally, but I could see the seeds of her future stardom.

As I moved forward in her discography, I noticed the gradual evolution in her sound. By the time I got to Red, Taylor was starting to leave her country roots behind, and 1989 marked a full transition into synth pop. Now, synth pop isn’t a genre I typically gravitate toward, but it was an improvement in my mind. The shift showed her willingness to experiment and reinvent herself, a quality I respect.

It wasn’t until Lover and beyond that I found genres I connected with more. Albums like folklore and evermore leaned into indie vibes, which are genres I often enjoy. But even here, I found myself underwhelmed by the lyrical content. The stories and themes felt shallow compared to what I’ve come to expect from indie music. Then, with Midnights, Taylor pivoted back to synth pop, and her latest album, Tales of the Tortured Poets, seemed to aim for a folk-inspired sound but didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

By the end of this musical journey, I realized I probably won’t be revisiting Taylor Swift’s discography. I prefer music that challenges me or dives deep into unique perspectives, and much of Taylor’s work seems designed for broad appeal. That’s not inherently a bad thing—it’s just not what I’m looking for. I’ll admit, though, my YouTube Music algorithm may never recover from this experiment!

That said, there were a few things I came to appreciate about Taylor Swift along the way. Her decision to re-record her earlier albums as Taylor’s Version to reclaim her music from the greedy hands of the industry? Badass. It’s rare to see an artist take such a bold and principled stand. And her talent—both as a songwriter and as a cultural icon—is undeniable. Another surprise? Just how much of her music I’d already heard in passing without realizing it. Taylor Swift has been a constant presence in the cultural background for over a decade, and my dive into her music underscored just how omnipresent her work is.

At the end of the day, I’m now informed when I say, “I like Taylor Swift the public persona, but her music isn’t really for me.” This journey helped me understand why her fans love her, and while I may not be joining the Swiftie ranks anytime soon, I respect the artistry and effort behind her incredible career.

Kirk Aug

Kirk is a writer, beekeeper and a fellow traveller on spaceship Earth. Follow Kirk on instagram @kirkaug