I originally wrote this article for PopSugar Middle East .
It was just around when the school was starting after the summer, and I heard ‘Tim McGraw” in 2006. Although I didn’t know who Tim McGraw was (to add to my shame, I actually ended up really liking his songs), I was in love with this description of a guy. Just a boy in a Chevy truck, the song took my heart and I became a proud Swifty.
Since then, my very limited music taste has been largely influenced by Taylor Swift. So, after listenin
g to 1989 on a repeat for the past three years. I was overjoyed when she announced ‘Reputation’, but I worried she might have strayed far away from the kind of music I loved her for.
As I listen to the entire Reputation album for the next 56 minutes, join me on my very emotional journey through her sixth album.
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“… Ready for It”
The first time I heard “…Ready for it”, I wasn’t ready for it. Far from it. But, this song really sets the scene for what this album is really going to be, with Taylor literally clearing her throat before giving her narrative on every accusation, rumour, conversation that has surrounded her for the past 2-something years.
This song gives me a kind of rush and push that I need, something like “I can do this”, that definitely helped when I went running. In the first hearing, it sounds very much unlike her previous music, but as it plays on repeat, I hear more and more of her regular style.
I’m still not entirely sure about the rapping bit, but, I’m not hating it. Kind of goes with the song, you know.
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“End Game”
As someone who is still humming ‘Everything Has Changed’, when I saw Ed Sheeran’s name on the song, I was excepting a love song, and that is definitely not what we got. But, almost instantly, I was nodding my head along with the lyrics. It’s a very “sweet” haters song, where she knows people say all these things, but she doesn’t want to bother too much about it, and just wants to ‘bury’ and be “his” endgame.
3. “I Did Something Bad”
I’m just going to be dancing on this the whole week, the bop on this song is AMAZING! This should have REALLY been the first song on the album, it’s so gooooood! All the lyrics are quote-able, I can imagine posting them one by one on my Instagram.
I can’t believe she actually said “shit” in the song. You wouldn’t want to mess with this Taylor.
“They’re burning all the witches, even if you aren’t one
They got their pitchforks and proof, their receipts and reasons” BAM!
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“Don’t Blame Me”
I have real goosebumps and just surfaces every single feeling that has made me feel like crap ever, and heals me. The lyrics, the music, and chorus are perfectly dark and definitely appeal to my darker moods.
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“Delicate”
The name of the song made me feel like it was going to be a love song, and this, kind of, was. She’s intensifying the unconditional love that we all have dreamt about but mixed with a “potion” of reality. “My Reputation’s never been worse, so you must like me for me”. The lyrics expose her innermost feelings of anxiety and love of a new relationship, unrequested attention and unfortunate “reputation” that she seems to have gathered.
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“Look What You Made Me Do”
I’ll be honest, I didn’t love this song too much, but I did scream when I saw the video, but it was GENIUS! It was so clever, as were the lyrics and video’s screenplay. It did eventually grew on me and made me realize that something like this was necessary to create a buzz for the album and to show that this time, Taylor is coming in for some serious Reputation damage (and salvation!)
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“So It Goes…”
I like when she whispers “One, two, three,”, but it doesn’t stand out on the first listen to me. Remember “Treacherous”, this is a darker, more scandalous version of the song!
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“Gorgeous”
It’s super-catchy, but it’s not a favourite song of hers or this album. It sums up all the feelings of unrequited love and confusion. I’m hoping it grows on me.
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“Getaway Car”
Okay, I loved it. I felt a little bad for whoever she was talking about in this song, although some say this might be the one about Tom Hiddleston. In my head, I’m directing the video for this song, this is the PERFECT break-up song to every summer fling ever. The lyrics, the song, her voice – it’s definitely one of my favourites.
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“King of my Heart”
Taylor Swift might be the American Queen, and definitely the queen of lyrics. The music isn’t something that is very me, but the song is summing up every emotion you go through when you are falling in love, where on one hand you’re scared of being run down, and on the other can’t help how head over heels you feel.
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“Dancing with our Hands Tied”
This song is so visual, you can imagine all the lyrics happening while you’re listening to it. This is something I’ll probably be dancing and weeping to in the evening in the living room. All the songs on this album feel like a more-mature-older sister of every album she’s ever produced.
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“Dress”
OH.MY.GOD.
This is a very, very sexy song. With an emotional touch. I am at a serious loss for words. I feel like this should be in 50 Shades of Grey.
“All of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting.”
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“This is why we can’t have Nice things”
You thought ‘Bad Blood’ was throwing shade? Oh, babe, it’s got nothing on this one. This is CATCHY has hell, fun, funny and just simply amazing. When she started laughing after saying she should “forgive”, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO FEEL OR HOW TO STOP SCREAMING! This is my anthem. To all my haters, and to you, forgiveness is a nice thing!
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“Call it What You Want”
I loved how this came right after “This is why we can’t have Nice things”, it was the perfect transition. It’s definitely one for long walks in the night and some serious soul-calming music. This is Taylor telling you that even through all her hard times, she’s fine, she’s happy, she’s better than she’s ever been. This song makes me feel secure, cosy and content. And that’s not an easy feeling to come to.
“Nobody’s heard from me for months, I’m doing better than I ever was”
15. “ New Year’s Day”
This is the classic Taylor Swift I came for. It’s a beautiful ending to the album. This is the old Taylor, who I’m VERY happy isn’t dead. I’m going to go weep now.
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