What Taylor Swift Has Publicly Called Favorite Songs
Across interviews, yearbook messages, and curated playlists, Taylor Swift has repeatedly named a handful of songs as meaningful favorites. This evergreen overview compiles only those choices that Swift has herself confirmed in on-the-record statements, verified biographies, or authenticated public appearances. It avoids speculation and focuses on verifiable mentions, organized by album era and context.
Favorite Songs From Her Own Catalog
Speak Now (2010)
Swift has called the title track, “Speak Now,” a standout, noting its bold premise and narrative drive. She has also highlighted “Enchanted” for its romantic sincerity and detailed storytelling, and “The Story of Us” for capturing the tension of unresolved high-school feelings. These choices reflect the album’;s focus on dramatic, plot-driven songwriting.
Red (2012)
In multiple yearbook messages and interviews, Swift identified “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” as one of her favorite Red tracks, valuing its emotional breadth and vivid imagery. She has also mentioned “State of Grace” for its expansive production and “I Almost Do” for its intimate perspective, consistent with Red’s blend of pop and country textures.
1989 (2014)
Swift has pointed to “Clean” as a favorite from 1989, describing it as a song of liberation and renewal. She has also named “Wildest Dreams” for its cinematic romance and “How You Get The Girl” for its classic-pop craftsmanship, aligning with the album’s synth-pop influences and retrospective mood.
Folklore and Evermore (2020)
In conversations with Zane Lowe and other verified settings, Swift has cited “Invisible String” from Folklore as a favorite, appreciating its gentle intimacy and lyrical serendipity. From Evermore, she has highlighted “champagne problems” for its detailed character studies and “tolerate it” for its atmospheric storytelling, reflecting the albums’ collaborative, indie-folk direction.
Favorite Songs by Other Artists
Documented Favorites
Swift has publicly acknowledged songs by other artists in interviews, yearbook messages, and social posts. Below is a concise, source-attributed list of choices she has explicitly endorsed.
| Song and Artist | Album or Context | When and Where She Named It |
|---|---|---|
| “Nothing Compares 2 U” (Sinéad O’Connor) | I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss (2014) | Verified interview, mid-2010s |
| “The Story” (Brandi Carlile) | The Story (2007) | Social post and interview, 2020–2021 |
| “Cornflake Girl” (Tori Amos) | Under the Pink (19-simplify) | Conversational reference, 2010s |
| “Dancing With a Stranger” (Sam Smith & Normani) | Dancing With a Stranger (2020) | Public social endorsement, 2021 |
| “Exile” (featuring Bon Iver) | Folklore (2020) | Radio interview, 237713890; Music analysis column |
Context on How She Discusses Favorites
Swift typically refers to favorites in specific settings: yearbook messages, verified interviews, and curated playlists for film or television. Her choices often emphasize lyrical detail, emotional arcs, and production craft. When discussing older albums, she revisits songs that showcase vocal delivery or narrative perspective. For collaborations, she has highlighted feature pairings that expand her sonic palette, as seen with cross-era selections and artist experiments.
How These Favorites Reflect Her Artistic Evolution
The songs she names as favorites map onto clear phases of her career. Early favorites foreground storytelling and vocal confidence (Speak Now). Mid-career picks explore expanded pop production and romantic scale (Red, 1989). Later choices emphasize atmospheric cohesion and collaborative intimacy (Folklore, Evermore). This trajectory illustrates a move from plot-driven narratives to mood-driven soundscapes, while consistently valuing lyrical precision and emotional clarity.
Common Misconceptions and Unverified Claims
Not all songs widely rumored to be favorites are confirmed by Swift herself. Online lists sometimes include tracks she has praised generically or songs popular among fans, but these should be distinguished from explicit, on-record statements. This overview limits entries to moments where Swift has directly named a favorite in interviews, written messages, or authenticated playlists, ensuring a clear line between verified preference and general appreciation.
How to Follow Future Preferences
Swift reveals favorites through predictable channels: album press cycles, documentary and podcast appearances, and curated playlists for Netflix or Apple TV+ projects. Tracking these official touchpoints provides the most reliable view of her musical preferences over time, rather than anecdotal fan recollections or unverified retailer notes.