I recently wrote about the importance of track five on Taylor Swift’s albums, and the Random iTunes Fairy has responded by serving up one of those tracks today.
‘All You Had To Do Was Stay,’ from the 2014 album 1989, is one of Swift’s more upbeat track fives, in keeping with the overall style of that album. But lyrically it delivers a healthy dose of emotional turmoil. If you read the song before playing it, you might expect a tortured ballad rather than a slick bop.
Concluding my ranking of the songs on Taylor Swift’s new album, Midnights…
#2. ‘Sweet Nothing‘
I was such a big fan of the direction Swift took on folklore and evermore that it’s no surprise I’m drawn to the Midnights song that could have appeared on either of those albums. Co-written with beau Joe Alwyn, this is a delicate and comforting ballad that finds Swift at her most content. Faced with the pressures of the industry, she retreats to the safety and warmth of her love. A beautiful song.
Continuing my ranking of the songs on Taylor Swift’s new album, Midnights…
#4. ‘Mastermind‘
I love the momentum of this track in both the music and the melody. I also love the bridge, which dives into the insecurities Swift explores in several songs on this album. Lyrically, this is a novel approach to a love song, pushing fate and luck aside and centering Swift as the author of her own romantic destiny. An excellent closing track.
Continuing my ranking of the songs on Taylor Swift’s new album, Midnights…
#6. ‘Anti-Hero‘
The album’s first single is a blast, breaking the pattern of weak lead singles on her last few pop albums. Swift turns her critical eye on herself and delivers the world’s catchiest therapy session.
Continuing my ranking of the songs on Taylor Swift’s new album, Midnights…
#9. ‘Maroon‘
I like the chorus of this song better than the verses, which suffer from awkward phrasing. Overall a decent vibe.
#8. ‘Snow On the Beach‘
As a big Lana Del Rey fan, I was eagerly anticipating this collaboration. Unfortunately, it’s a stretch to call it that. Del Rey shares a writing credit, but her vocal contribution is relegated to some backing vocals and a couple of lines in the chorus. I wish she’d been given a verse like Phoebe Bridgers on the excellent ‘Nothing New.’ Apart from that criticism, this is a decent song.
