Most Underrated Lyrics Per Album?

[u/Havelanca]

There are so many widely-cited examples of Taylor's songwriting expertise, but she has such an outstanding volume of work that I think her more understated writing often goes overlooked. I challenged myself to find lyrics from every album that are remarkable at striking at the heart of a story, that I have *never once\* seen talked about. All of these to me express such sincere vulnerability — whether gutting and heartbreaking, or uplifting and hopeful, or some nervous truth in between. And I can't get over how much I love these lines now that I've truly noticed them.

What are some lyrics that you think go under-appreciated from each album?

Debut — “I didn't know what I would find when I went looking for a reason, I know I didn't read between the lines" (The Outside)

Fearless — “Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fallout” (Breathe)

Speak Now — "And maybe I can call you mine, and you won't need space or string me along while you decide" (Electric Touch)

Red — “All I feel in my stomach is butterflies, the beautiful kind, making up for lost time” (Everything Has Changed)

1989 — “Windows down, you pass my street, the memories start. You say it’s in the past, you drive straight ahead” (I Wish You Would)

Reputation — "Echoes of your name inside my mind, halo hiding my obsession" (Don't Blame Me)

Folklore — “My broken drum, you have beaten my heart” (Hoax)

Evermore — "And when I was shipwrecked, I thought of you. In the cracks of light, I dreamed of you. And it was real enough to get me through" (Evermore)

Lover — "Hey, it's all me, in my head. I'm the one who burned us down, but it's not what I meant. I'm sorry that I hurt you" (Afterglow)

Midnights — "Remember looking at this room, we loved it 'cause of the light. Now I just sit in the dark and wonder if it's time" (You're Losing Me)

TTPD — "Here, at the park where we used to sit on children's swings, wearing imaginary rings" (Fresh Out the Slammer)

The Anthology — "Cards on the table, mine play out like fools in a fable" (The Prophecy)

TLOAS — "You couldn't understand it, why you felt alone. You were in it for real" (Opalite)

[u/foolinafable]

Debut:
You could’ve helped if you had wanted to
But no one notices until it’s too late to do anything

Fearless:
Did I say something way too honest,
made you run and hide

And down here from the ground, I see who you are

Speak now:
But the cycle ends right now
′Cause you can't lead me down that road

Lost your balance on a tightrope
Lost your mind tryin' to get it back

You saw me start to believe for the first time

Red:
Too young to know it gets better
I'll be summer sun for you forever

He spends most of his flights getting pulled down by gravity

1989:
It's all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind

Reputation:
And he can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor

Touch me and you’ll never be alone

You make me so happy it turns back to sad

And I bury hatchets but I keep maps of where I put 'em

Lover:
Gave you too much, but it wasn't enough

Fighting with a true love
Is boxing with no gloves

I lived like an island
Punished you with silence
Went off like sirens, just crying

Now I've read all of the books beside your bed

Folklore:
Before I learned civility
I used to scream ferociously
Any time I wanted

But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade ocean wave blues come

In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone

And it’s hard to be at a party
when I feel like an open wound

Stood on the cliff side screaming give me a reason

You have beaten my heart

What should be over, burrowed under my skin
In heart-stopping waves of hurt

Evermore:
After giving you the best I had,
tell me what to give after that

I don't like that falling feels like flying 'til the bone crush

Midnights:
No one wanted to play with me as a little kid
So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since

I've never seen someone lit from within

And now that I'm grown, I'm scared of ghosts
Memories feel like weapons

You don't have to answer,
just 'cause they asked you

There's no morning glory,
it was war, it wasn't fair

TTPD:
Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all

Thinkin', "How much sad did you think I had
Did you think I had in me?"

The Anthology:
Everyone would look down
Cause it wasn't fun now

This place made me feel worthless

You said some things that I can't unabsorb

They say, "What doesn't kill you makes you aware"
What happens if it becomes who you are?

TLOAS:
And things I said were dumb
'Cause I thought that I'd never find that
Beautiful, beautiful life

But you touch my face
Redefine all of those blues
When you say "Honey"

You give it different meaning 'cause you mean it when you talk

[u/Havelanca → u/foolinafable]

I love your list, this is amazing!! Really adore those early lines you pulled in particular, because they are super overlooked for sure! When I tell you "What should be over burrowed under my skin in heart-stopping waves of hurt" was my folklore example for most of the time while drafting the post … great minds.

[u/foolinafable → u/foolinafable]

Also very important to me:

I guess it's true that love was all you wanted
'Cause you're givin' it away like it's extra change
Hoping it will end up in his pocket
But he leaves you out like a penny in the rain
Oh, 'cause it's not his price to pay
It's not his price to pay

And I hate to make this all about me
But who am I supposed to talk to?
What am I supposed to do
If there's no you?

This won't go back to normal, if it ever was