As we dive into the archives of Taylor Swift's latest release, The Tortured Poet’s Department, it's clear that this album is not just a collection of songs but a profound narrative journey through the highs and lows of love, the introspective struggles of fame, and the raw edges of personal growth. Each track is a testament to Swift's enduring talent to weave intricate stories that resonate deeply with her fans while showcasing her artistic growth.

In this ranking, we explore each song's unique blend of lyrical genius and melodic charm, providing insights into how they connect with pivotal moments in Swift's life and the broader themes she addresses. This album covers a wide emotional spectrum, from the defiant echoes of past scandals to the tender reminiscences of lost loves, making it a significant addition to Swift's illustrious career.

On her social media, Swift shares aboout the album, "The Tortured Poets Department. An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time - one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure. This period of the author’s life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted. This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it. And then all that’s left behind is the tortured poetry."

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Join us as we rank our favorites from track 16 to the pinnacle at track number one, unpacking the layers of each song and celebrating the artistry and fandom that Swift brings to the music industry. Whether you're a longtime Swiftie or a casual listener, prepare to be captivated by the intricate details and storytelling found in The Tortured Poets Department.

Listen to the full LP here:

16. "Fresh Out the Slammer"

"Fresh Out the Slammer" intertwines criminal motifs with a reflective transformation, offering a falsetto-laden pause that hints at Swift’s past transformative relationships, referencing her split with long-time boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn, straight into her fling with Matty Healy, which influenced both her personal and musical journeys. 

The lyrics describe a decaying relationship with Alwyn: “Splintered back in winter, silent dinners, bitter he was with her in dreams / Gray and blue and fights and tunnels, handcuffed to the spell I was under / For just one hour of sunshine / Years of labor, locks and ceilings / In the shade of how he was feeling.” 

The single references a “starting line,” which Swifties believe alludes to one of Healy’s favorite bands, The Starting Line.

imagine being matty healy waking up tomorrow morning just to find out taylor swift wrote multiple love songs about your situationship from last year pic.twitter.com/VsvUXHGrLk

— shelly ⎕ (@balladofmaroon) April 19, 2024

15. "Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?"

This track fiercely reclaims Swift's narrative amidst adversity, echoing her defiant spirit from the Reputation era. The song powerfully channels the intense media scrutiny she has faced, stepping back in production to let her bold declaration of resilience shine.

The lyrics show the truth behind Swift's anger towards the situation: “If you wanted me dead, you should’ve just said / Nothing makes me feel more alive.” In the chorus, she doesn't hold back, “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street / Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream / ‘Who’s afraid of little old me?’ / You should be.” 

14. "The Alchemy"

Reflecting on her experiences with Travis Kelce, "The Alchemy" uses sports metaphors to describe the thrill of a new romance. Its tender arrangement suggests a hopeful beginning, mirroring her nurturing relationship with Kelce. 

With lyrics, "Shirts off and your friends lift you up over their heads / Beer sticking to the floor / Cheers chanted 'cause they said there was no chance / Trying to be the greatest in the league / Where's the trophy? / He just comes running over to me,” Our Fan Of View is we’re here for Kelce more than ever.

13. "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)"

Exploring the allure of romantic redemption, "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)" portrays Swift's challenging dynamic with past lovers like Healy yet again, highlighting the emotional weight of relationships where she found herself trying to 'fix' things.

12. "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys"

A metaphor for complex love, this track’s potential for live performance and its anthemic quality reflects the dual nature of Swift's romantic experiences. 

“Saw forever, so he smashed it up / oh my boy only breaks his favorite toys,” this track takes us back to the days of 1989 and Red, sure to please long-time fans.

11. "Clara Bow"

"Clara Bow" examines Swift’s public persona against the backdrop of fame, possibly reflecting her internal struggle with maintaining authenticity amidst high-profile relationships. The single refers to 1920s actor Clara Bow, who also had a complicated relationship with romance and fame, eventually causing her to have a breakdown (Cosmopolitan).

10. "loml"

"loml" explores idealized memories contrasted with the harsh reality Swift’s separation with Alwyn, offering a mature reflection through its simple yet truly emotional composition. 

Swift penned, “You s–t talked me under the table / talking rings and talking cradles / I wish I could un-recall how we almost had it all,” alluding to what almost was with the British actor, and our hearts broke right alongside hers.

9. "The Tortured Poets Department"

The title track, “The Tortured Poets Department,” invites listeners into Swift's more profound emotional and artistic connection, serving as a symbolic gathering for the creatively and emotionally bruised. 

Many fans immediately picked up on the references to Healy, Swift penning lyrics about long-time friends Lucy Dacus and Jack Antonoff, "Sometimes I wonder if you're gonna screw this up with me / But you told Lucy that you'd kill yourself if I ever leave / And I had said that to Jack so I felt seen," she says in the bridge, referencing their mutual friends. "Everyone that we know understands why it's meant to be. Cause we're crazy."

Fans initially thought the title track was about Alywn due to a screenshot of him in a WhatsApp group chat called “The Tortured Man Club,” alongside ex-fiance of Phoebe Bridgers, actor Paul Mescal.

Healy recently responded to Swift’s new album, saying he “couldn’t be happier with how the album turned out, an insider shared with US Weekly.

“Matty’s family knew about the relationship,” the source explains. “And they were worried that Taylor was going to rip him apart. Matty has struggled with life in the public eye, and he’s been doing really well, but the last thing that he needs is for every Swiftie in the world to think he’s a villain,” (US Weekly).

i knew that taylor swift’s new album name sounded a little too familiar… pic.twitter.com/jHOuIuIcLM

— SITA (@raspberhrriies) February 5, 2024

8.  "Guilty as Sin?"

"Guilty as Sin?" confronts complex emotions of adult desire and decision-making, reflecting Swift’s introspective journey through past romantic experiences. This track is also believed to be about her fantasies about Healy, while she was still in love with Alwyn. We love a little spice from Blondie, and she delivered it here.

7.  "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart"

Reflecting the dual pressures of public expectations and private emotions, "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" symbolizes Swift’s determination to dazzle despite personal struggles, such as her breakup with Alwyn before The Eras Tour.

6.  "Down Bad"

Turning emotional turmoil into a catchy pop anthem, "Down Bad" captures the rollercoaster of fast love and heartache, reflecting on her relationships with figures like Healy. 

Page Six shares, “While the lyrics could be about several people from her past, fans believe they reference Healy because she describes her ex-lover as “hostile” and having “indecent exposures.”

Fans are standing with Swift, saying they, too, would have been down bad for Healy, despite his questionable actions (especially all of us on Tumblr in our teen years):

when taylor swift said “fuck it if i can’t have him i might just die it would make no difference” that’s exactly how i felt about matty healy at age 14 so i get her fr

— ashley (@robb8rs) April 19, 2024

5.  "Fortnight" (feat. Post Malone)

Introducing the album with introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies, "Fortnight" subtly reflects Swift's musical evolution and the complexities of her public and private relationships. Post Malone only adds to the catchiness of the hook, something he always tends to deliver on any collaboration. 

Fans also believe she is referencing Healy in some way on this track, with the lyrics, “I took the magical move on drug / The effects were temporary."

4.  "But Daddy I Love Him"

"But Daddy I Love Him" is an unapologetic anthem of self-expression and empowerment. This track captures the spirit of fierce independence and bold storytelling, perfectly fitting the album’s theme of navigating personal and public challenges.

3.  "So Long, London"

"So Long, London" offers a raw reflection on Swift's emotional journey, possibly drawing from her experiences in London for nearly six years alongside her ex, Alwyn. The track captures the urgency of moving past old grievances and moving on from somewhere with so many memories. The track opens with a haunting, longing harmony stack that will stay with us long after the first listen.

2.  "Florida!!!" feat. Florence + The Machine

“Florida!!!” is a powerful duet with Florence + The Machine, filled with vocal intensity and lyrical drama. The track could be seen as a metaphor for Swift's tumultuous relationships, with its stormy and unpredictable nature mirroring the challenges of love. Fans have begun to speculate that this track may allude to her long-time friend Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas’ tumultuous divorce, which was filed in Florida, of all places (Cosmopolitan). 

Our Fan Of View: At the L.A. library pop-up for the new LP, a globe was stationed at the event. The pushpin was placed in Miami, where Jonas and Turner used to live. Selling their mansion in Miami was a large controversy in the midst of their divorce.

Florida ! ! !#TSTTPD pic.twitter.com/UKdN6eSAvi

— millenah (@millenahlima) April 16, 2024

1.  "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived"

At the pinnacle, "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" captures the emotional turmoil and ultimate liberation of ending a significant relationship, definitely referencing Healy. This track showcases Swift’s ability to channel deep personal pain into a compelling narrative, making it a poignant conclusion to our list. 

Swift doesn’t hold back at all lyrically, calling out Healy’s suit choices, as well as his former addiction issues, “Was any of it true?/ Gazing at me starry-eyed / In your Jehovah’s Witness suit / Who the fuck was that guy? / You tried to buy some pills / From a friend of friends of mine / They just ghosted you / Now you know what it feels like.” 

This track is at #1 simply because it’s what Swift does best. Stunning lyrics and simple, relatable melodies, wrapped up in a shroud of vulnerability, her fans will always want more of.

Leave your Fan Of View in the comments -- do you agree with our ranking of TTPD?

Photo Credit: @taylorswift on Instagram.