Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift’s ‘evermore’
Taylor Swift surprised released her ninth studio album, and folklore’s sister record evermore, just five months after her first surprise release of the year. This record is not a complete departure from the themes and sounds of folklore, and Swift is not pivoting to a new era as she has been known to do in the past. Instead, we see Swift diving deeper into the folklorian woods and expanding on the various themes prevalent in her commercially successful, critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated album folklore.
In addition to the album release, Swift released a music video for the lead single “willow,” and while fans awaited the premiere on YouTube, Swift provided some insight into the record while chatting with her fans online. When asked about the overarching theme of the record, Swift had this to say:
And now on to the daunting task of ranking every song on this record. I would be remiss if I did not say that evermore is a near perfect record and each song is just as cathartic as the last. evermore, much like folklore, has already garnered universal acclaim based on 25 critic reviews on Metacritic, a website that aggregates music reviews. And so, we begin…
15. happiness
“I hope she’ll be a beautiful fool / Who takes my spot next to you / No, I didn’t mean that / Sorry, I can’t see facts through all my fury”
During the premiere of the “willow” music video, Swift confirmed that the title for “happiness” is deceiving, something the songstress has done in the past. Much like folklore’s “peace,” a song that actually refers to the absence thereof, “happiness” tells the story of a doomed relationship while recounting, not discounting, the moments of joy: (“But there was happiness because of you too / Both of these things can be true.”) It is a mature outlook on relationships that prioritizes moving onward with hope and, yes, happiness.
14. long story short
“The knife cuts both ways / If the shoe fits, walk in it ’til your high heels break”
“long story short” is a glossier, pop-rock infused track on evermore, reminiscent of Swift’s past full pop records, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. While writing and recording for evermore, Swift has also been in the process of rerecording her past albums including Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, and 1989. Sonically, this track sounds like it would fit harmoniously on Swift’s 2014 album 1989 due to the lighthearted melodic structure of the song. Thematically, Swift relives dark moments that, for better or for worse, defined her past — and her 2017 album, reputation.
13. cowboy like me
“And you asked me to dance / But I said, “Dancin’ is a dangerous game”
“cowboy like me” is reminiscent of Swift’s earlier works on albums such as Fearless and Taylor Swift, but with an added level of thematic and lyrical maturity. This country slow burner evokes an image of old western cinema, equipped with a nomadic rebellious cowboy motif and a budding old Hollywood style romance. This is not, however, a tale about a damsel in distress. The cowboy in this tale has met his match, but if (“Forever is the sweetest con,”) will this romance go on forevermore?
12. closure
“I know I’m just a wrinkle in your new life / Staying friends would iron it out so nice”
“closure” may be Swift’s most sonically experimental track on evermore. This mechanized-folk-pop song encapsulates an overarching theme that’s quite prevalent throughout the entirety of this record — conflict resolution. It is a tale that refers to a relationship that has gone awry, leaving one half of the whole scorned. Now that (“it’s been a long time,”) the other half desires to be acquitted from guilt and responsibility by seeking a resolution that is only self serving, and as the scorned party puts it, (“it’s oh so unnecessary.”)
11. tolerate it
“I made you my temple, my mural, my sky / Now I’m begging for footnotes in the story of your life”
In Swiftian lore, track five is significant as it’s known to represent the album’s most emotionally vulnerable song. Notable track five songs include Red’s “All Too Well” and folklore’s “my tears ricochet.” Swift continues with this trend on evermore’s “tolerate it” and confirmed that the decision to make this song a track five was solidified in its visual nature, as well as in its uniqueness representing a specific type of hurt.
10. no body, no crime (feat. HAIM)
“She says, “That ain’t my Merlot on his mouth / That ain’t my jewelry on our joint account”
“no body, no crime” is the first song on the album that transports Swift back to her country roots while evoking some acclaimed country music songstresses and their legendary songs: (The Chicks | “GoodBye Earl”) (Carrie Underwood | “Before He Cheats”) (Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood| “Somethin’ Bad”) This song involves infidelity, revenge, murder and one of America’s last great dynasties — Olive Garden.
9. coney island (feat. The National)
“Did I leave you hanging every single day? / Were you standing in the hallway / With a big cake, happy birthday / Did I paint your bluest skies the darkest grey?”
It’s no surprise that Swift is a massive fan of The National. Swift and Aaron Dessner of The National co-wrote and produced many of the songs on both folklore and evermore, but this marks Swift’s first collaboration with the band, including singing alongside Matt Berninger. This song is absolute nostalgia. The conversational back and forth between Swift and Berninger on the bridge of this track is quite a highlight.
8. evermore (feat. Bon Iver)
“Writing letters / Addressed to the fire”
While this is the titular closing track on the standard edition of evermore, the deluxe edition includes Swift’s intended album closing track that we have yet to hear: “it’s time to go.” Swift most likely placed “evermore” as the temporary closing track due to its significance. As we near the end of 2020, a year defined by a global pandemic, social inequities and civil unrest, many worldwide suffered from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, a theme prevalent throughout the song. But if 2020 is defined by the aforementioned, it’s also defined by hope, and ultimately, that’s what this track is about: (“This pain wouldn’t be for evermore / evermore.”)
7. marjorie
“marjorie” is an ode to Swift’s late grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, who was an opera singer and an inspiration to Swift. It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful song that also includes background vocals from Finlay who can be heard in the chorus right after Swift sings: (“And if I didn’t know better / I’d think you were singing to me now.”) Fittingly enough, “marjorie” is track 13 on evermore while a song that references Swift’s grandfather, “epiphany,” is track 13 on folklore. It’s a family affair.
6. champagne problems
“She would’ve made such a lovely bride / What a shame she’s fucked in the head, they said / But you’ll find the real thing instead / She’ll patch up your tapestry that I shred”
Sonically, this piano led song is reminiscent of reputation’s closing track “New Years Day.” While subtle, thematically, the track dives into the stigma of mental health by bringing to life a story of two lovers and one fateful night. Swift is known for creating master class bridges and she didn’t shy away from doing just that on “champagne problems.” A welcome highlight of this song is its extraordinary bridge, carefully crafted and full of emotion.
5. ’tis the damn season
“It’s the kind of cold, fogs up windshield glass / But I felt it when I passed you”
While most of the songs on this album end in various types of resolutions or closures, this alternative soft rock-esque track involves a hometown romance that has been seemingly left open — if only seasonally. The narrator, a Los Angeles transplant, is visiting her hometown when she stumbles upon an ex fling who is referred to as being the kind of cold that fogs up windshield glass. Despite the frigidness, the narrator hatches a proposal: (“We can call it even / You can call me “babe” for the weekend,”) or at least until it’s time to return to L.A. where she’ll (“wonder about the only soul who can tell which smiles [she’s] fakin.”)
4. dorothea
“But it’s never too late to come back to my side / The stars in your eyes shined brighter in Tupelo / And if you’re ever tired of being known for who you know / You know, you’ll always know me, Dorothea”
There are several distinct parallels between “‘tis the damn season” and the indie-folk track, “dorothea.” Set to a cheerful, melodic tune, this track tells the story from the perspective of Dorothea’s old hometown romance who reminisces on the simpler moments (“When it was calmer, skipping the prom just to piss off [her] mom and her pageant schemes,”) and before Dorothea left town to pursue other ventures. Given that (“A tiny screen’s the only place [they] sees her now,”) the narrator still has well wishes for Dorothea, but clings on to the hope that one day she’ll move back home permanently.
3. gold rush
“At dinner parties, I call you out on your contrarian shit / And the coastal town we wandered ‘round had never seen a love as pure as it”
Swift revealed that “gold rush” is Jack Antonoff’s, a long time co-collaborator and producer for Swift, favorite song on the album, and that “this song takes place inside a single daydream where you get lost in thought for a minute and then snap out of it.” If folklore’s “mirrorball” had a sister song on evermore, “gold rush” would be the one. Sonically, both songs offer this sense of euphoric bliss. While “mirrorball” evokes images of empty dance floors in dive bars, “gold rush” is a daydream about wanting someone so badly that for a minute you imagine your life with them, but quickly (“it fades into the gray of day-old tea / ’Cause it will never be.”)
2. willow
“I’m like water when your ship rolled in that night / Rough on the surface, but you cut through like a knife”
During the premiere of the “willow” music video on Youtube, Swift shared some insight into the song and stated: “willow’ is about intrigue, desire, and the complexity that goes into wanting someone. I think it sounds like casting a spell to make somebody fall in love with you.” Sonically and lyrically, “willow” emphasizes the themes of escapism and dreamscapes that we see throughout evermore, and paired with the orchestration, (“Every bait-and-switch was a work of art.”)
1. ivy
“So yeah, it’s a fire/ It’s a goddamn blaze in the dark / And you started it”
“ivy” is set to a folksy tune and much like folklore’s “illicit affairs,” depicts a tale of infidelity. The most powerful aspects of this track are the symbolism, imagery, and emotions it elicits. ivy is known to represent fidelity and the power of attraction and is often used in weddings as a symbolic gesture. However, if ivy is left untamed, it can become unhinged and engulf anything and everything in its way, including other plants — binding them together. For better or for worse, the protagonist could not remain faithful to their betrothed, and is now covered in the ivy of her star crossed suitor: (“Oh, I can’t / Stop you putting roots in my dreamland / My house of stone, your ivy grows / And now I’m covered in you.”) “ivy” is Swift at her best, rooted in storytelling magic.
