Nov 29, 2021

Ranking the Songs from ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’

Taylor Swift has given the world the 30-song masterpiece that is Red (Taylor’s Version) with both the hold hits that everyone loves and new, unheard vault tracks with unexpected collaborations. Below is our ranking of the songs:

1. “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” / “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

C’mon. We all knew it’d be here. This is one of Swift’s best-written songs, if not the best. It’s a fan favorite for a reason and takes the crown on this list. The 10-minute version of this track is stunning; it feels like how the song should be heard. It’s painfully vivid and honest. The added lines in newly revealed verses hit even harder after time has gone by my favorite being, “You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes / Sipping coffee like you’re on a late-night show / But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willing you to come / And he said, ‘It’s supposed to be fun turning twenty-one.’”

2. “Begin Again (Taylor’s Version)”

I love the country twang in this song mixed with the mesmerizing storytelling. As Swift details an intimate first date at a cafe, it feels as though we’re watching it play out like a scene from a movie. The new version has stronger harmonies at the ending of the song bumping it further up my list; it sounds so beautiful and hopeful.

3. “Treacherous (Taylor’s Version)”

I ADORE this song. It has such a simple yet ethereal sound and I love how intimate Swift’s vocal performance is. I’ll also always be obsessed with the lines, “And all we are is skin and bone / Trained to get along / Forever going with the flow / But you’re friction.” The buildup in the bridge is also worth mentioning.

4. “Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version)”

This is one of the songs that continued to grow on me as time passed. My favorite thing about this song is the bittersweet happiness in the lyrics that capture that feeling of bliss when you’re with someone you love. It’s nostalgic and sweet and listening to it feels like being on top of the world.

5. “Sad, Beautiful, Tragic (Taylor’s Version)”

I think this song is underrated because of the spotlight on “All Too Well” for being the ultimate sad song on Red. But this song is incredible. I think the songwriting on Red is some of Swift’s best and the imagery on “Sad, Beautiful Tragic” is a perfect example of why. The line, “And time is taking its sweet time erasing you / And you’ve got your demons / And darlin’ they all look like me” is stunning.

6. “State Of Grace (Taylor’s Version)”

This is one of Taylor Swift’s best album openers. It’s upbeat, it shows off Swift’s vocals, and it is big, with its full, epic instrumentation. The line, “So you were never a saint / And I’ve loved in shades of wrong / We learn to live with the pain / Mosaic broken hearts / But this love is brave and wild” is so good. It leaves me speechless each time I hear it.

7. “Red (Taylor’s Version)”

This title track really sets the tone for the whole record. The lines, “Losing him was blue, like I’d never known / Missing him was dark gray, all alone / Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met / But loving him was red” really set the listener up for the rollercoaster of emotions that is the Red album. The electronic autotune in the chorus is also a highlight.

8. “Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

I’m obsessed with this song. Again, I think this one should have made the original lineup alongside “Better Man.” The lyrics read like an open wound and Phoebe Bridgers was the absolute perfect addition to this track; I don’t think anyone fits the vibe of the song better than she does. This is one of the best collaborations Swift has ever done and I’m so thankful it exists.

9. “Better Man (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

I have no idea how this song didn’t make the original tracklist but I’m so thankful we have it now. The second verse on this track is so moving and I love the way Swift’s voice sounds desperate yet delicate.

10. “22 (Taylor’s Version)”

This song will always be a jam. Out of all the songs on this record that are fully immersed in the pop sound Swift leaned into, this one is the best. It’s so catchy and fun and the exciting feelings it radiates are infectious.

11. “I Almost Do (Taylor’s Version)”

I always thought this song was super underrated and was often overshadowed by “All Too Well” just like “Sad, Beautiful, Tragic” is. I love the stripped-down acoustic production as well as the pain that is conveyed through Swift’s voice as she longs for an ex. The second verse hits like a gut-punch when she sings, “I bet it never ever occurred to you / That I can’t say ‘Hello’ to you / And risk another goodbye.” The way her voice softens during the bridge is also a highlight.

12. “The Moment I Knew (Taylor’s Version)”

This is one of Swift’s saddest songs in my opinion. It’s absolutely devastating and she sounds so hurt when she sings it. You could listen to her emotions in this song, not know what she was saying, and still be heartbroken because that’s how emotive she is in her vocal performance as well as the songwriting.

13. “Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran) (Taylor’s Version)”

Although Red is deemed Taylor Swift’s fall-time album, this song reminds me of Spring. It’s sweet and innocent and the acoustic, stripped-down feeling with soft percussion makes it super enjoyable to listen to with headphones on or as background noise.

14. “Come Back…Be Here (Taylor’s Version)”

I was obsessed with this song when I first heard it and I overplayed it. I still love it though and the feelings of longing it emits so powerfully. Swift’s mature vocals sound great here as well.

15. “I Bet You Think About Me (feat. Chris Stapleton) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

As time goes on, I think this song will climb up my ranking. I love the sass and twang that Swift meshes together in this track. I love the rustic edge Chris Stapleton’s vocals bring to it as well. The video for the song that was directed by Blake Lively made me love it even more. Again, surprised it didn’t make the original version.

16. “The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol) (Taylor’s Version)”

What stands out in this track is the haunting piano, especially right at the beginning. Swift and Gary Lightbody’s voices also melt together during the pre-choruses and into the emotional chorus. The re-recording has a fuller-sounding production with more emphasis on the instruments that are pushed to the forefront

17. “I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version)”

There’s no wonder why this song was such a hit. It’s extremely catchy and the drop during the chorus never gets old.

18. “Babe (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

I love the echoing vocals on this track during the chorus. Towards the end, there’s also horn sounds that become noticeable making the instrumental interesting to listen to. Also shout out to the line, “We’re a wreck, you’re the wrecking ball.”

19. Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

This song has grown on me since I first heard it and I plan on it moving up the list as time goes on. Swift did this song with Max Martin and Shellback who worked on a decent amount of 1989 with her. This song is a pop dream with influences from early 2000s pop. It reminds me of a Carly Rae Jepson track.

20. “Girl At Home (Taylor’s Version)”

This song got the biggest upgrade out of the whole tracklist on Red. What used to be an unnoticeable contribution on the 2012 album, has been electrified with more pop influences and a buzzing bass line.

21. “State of Grace (Acoustic Version) (Taylor’s Version)”

I love this song; it’s stunning. I just like the original better and have to be in a certain mood to listen to this version.

22. “The Lucky One (Taylor’s Version)”

I used to play this song on repeat, but over time, it’s fallen down my list. I still love the message of the track conveys and the energetic percussion.

23. “Starlight (Taylor’s Verison)”

I like the old-timey themes of this song and the descriptive lyrics; It always felt like a scene out of a ‘60s movie to me. I just prefer the other songs more.

24. “Forever Winter (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

I like the lyrical content on this tract more than anything else. Swift wrote this song with Mark Foster from the band Foster the People and it touches upon things like mental health and suicide. I love the lines, “I’ll be summer sun for you forever / Forever winter if you go.”

25. “The Very First Night (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

Just like most of the other vault tracks, I need more time with this one. But ultimately I did find it catchy and fun. It feels like a late-night out on the town in a big city.

26. “Stay Stay Stay (Taylor’s Version)”

This song is cute and her laugh at the end is priceless but it’s never been a favorite of mine.

27. “Run (feat. Ed Sheeran) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

This was the first song Ed Sheeran and Swift wrote together. Their vocals come together to make a sweet-sounding, breezy track but I still need more time with it.

28. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)”

This song would be much higher if the “Wee” sound on the chorus wasn’t edited the way it was. I still love this song and the unashamed cheeky lyrics, but I like the production on the original version a little better.

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