(these are my own personal opinions and rankings, you’re allowed to disagree but please don’t be mean 🫶🏻)
when I tell you I wasn’t ready for this album I WASN’T READY! due to having to wake up at 4:30am I wasn’t able to stay awake for the release at midnight so you can probably imagine how GAGGED I was when I woke up to 15 extra songs!!! And they’re all amazing!! I felt so connected to so many of them, and after relistening to the album for the 5th time I relate to even more! of course you know this means I need to buy a bunch of merch now and make this my whole personality for the next 6 months 😍
... Read moreOkay, Swifties, let's talk about *The Tortured Poets Department*. When the clock struck midnight and I saw the tracklist, I was excited. But when I woke up to find out we got a DOUBLE album – The Anthology with 31 songs total – I was absolutely floored! It felt like Christmas morning, my birthday, and a surprise concert all rolled into one. This wasn't just an album drop; it was an entire literary and musical event, a true 'prologue' to a new, incredibly raw era for Taylor.
Going through all 31 songs for my personal ranking was a journey in itself. It's not just about which song has the catchiest beat, but which lyrics hit you right in the gut, which melodies get stuck in your head, and which stories make you feel seen. For me, the true magic of TTPD lies in its incredible relatability. Every listen reveals new layers of emotion and honesty, making you feel like Taylor is articulating feelings you didn't even know how to express. Some tracks, like “Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?”, perfectly capture the feeling of being under public scrutiny, while others, like “loml”, dive deep into the ache of a lost love that felt like forever. And let's not forget the cutting brilliance of “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” or the quiet introspection of tracks like “Robin”; each song serves a purpose in this grand, poetic narrative.
The challenge of ranking TTPD songs comes down to how deeply they resonate. Is it the raw vulnerability, the clever wordplay, or the sheer emotional impact that elevates a track? For me, the top-tier songs are those that I find myself replaying constantly, dissecting every line, and feeling a profound connection to. These aren't just songs; they're diary entries set to music, and Taylor invites us into her most intimate thoughts. The album truly feels like a collection of poems, each painting a vivid picture of heartbreak, resilience, and the tumultuous journey of self-discovery.
Beyond the music, the aesthetic of The Tortured Poets Department is just as captivating. The black and white imagery, the typewriter font, the overall vintage yet timeless feel – it all adds to the experience. I've seen so many amazing fan-made TTPD wallpapers and creative covers that perfectly capture the mood of the album. It makes me want to dive into collecting all the merch, from vinyl to hoodies, to truly immerse myself in this era. It's more than an album; it's a world you want to live in. What songs from the 31-song list hit you the hardest?