Ranking ‘The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology’ one year later

It’s been almost a year since Taylor Swift released her 11th studio album The Tortured Poet’s Department: The Anthology. Despite mixed reviews upon its release, it has since not only seen commercial success worldwide, but has since became a critically acclaimed album with numerous critics praising Swift’s lyricism. To honour the albums upcoming “first birthday,” let’s rank all 31 songs from The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

For context, Swift’s 11th studio album follows and explore themes of the five stages of grief following notable breakups with actor Joe Alwyn and 1975 frontman Matty Healy. Those stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, there are moments of happiness and love due to the budding romance between her and her current beau NFL athlete Travis Kelce. I’m not here to speculate which songs are bout who, however, thankfully Taylor Swift has given us insight as to which stage of grief each of the following 31 songs fall into.

Just as a side note, from this point forward I will be referring to the album as it’s abbreviated counter part – “TTPD: TA”

31) The Manuscript

The closing song to the entire album, The Manuscript is a song about acceptance. The song follows Swift finally coming to terms over an ended relationship and ultimately being okay with it, with the relationship now becoming a story to look back on. Though, lyrically it’s a stunning song, I find myself skipping it due to its almost lacklustre sonic nature, though I understand why she kept it a simple sounding song.

30) Robin

The third and last of the “first name only” trilogy as I call them, Robin tells a story of denial. This song tells the struggles of wanting to preserve childhood innocence and curiosity despite knowing that it’s ultimately knowing it’s impossible. With lyrics such as “The time will arrive for the cruel and the mean, you’ll learn to bounce back like your trampoline but now we’ll curtail your curiosity…” showing off Swift’s lyrical prowess, it unfortunately suffers the same fate as The Manuscript in the sense of how it sounds.

29) The Tortured Poet’s Department

The albums title track, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD) follows the idea of bargaining. This song takes us along with Swift bargaining with herself post-breakup and shows the delusional side of a breakup with lyrics like “Who’s gonna hold you like me? Nobody.” Though I love the synth pop vibes of this song, I unfortunately can’t get past the opening lyric of “You left your typewriter at my apartment,” as well as the Charlie Puth mention.

28) thanK you aIMee

The queen track of pettiness, thanK you aIMee fall into the category of acceptance. Though again, I’m not going to speculate on who each song is about, the title says it all you need through Swift’s favourite easter egg, capitalized letters that shouldn’t be capitalized. This song follows Swift fully realizing all the feelings that have since been healed following her very public feud with a popular reality TV star (who I won’t name) and her former husband and how she might not have had everything she has now had the reality star not leaked a private (and edited) phone call between Swift and the former husband. I love pettiness, don’t get me wrong and I actually enjoy this song, however I personally, juts enjoy the other songs on TTPD: TA more than this one.

27) The Prophecy

The Prophecy is a song that doesn’t hide the fact that it’s full of bargaining. With lyrics such as “Please, I’ve been on my knees,” it tells Swift’s plead to the world and higher powers to change the outcome of her former relationship and to ultimately “Change the prophecy,” so that her and her former lover stay together forever despite it being not meant to be. Though once again, and you’ll learn this is a constant theme for me, the lyrics are beautiful, there is something about the song sonically and musically that doesn’t sit well with me and unfortunately gets the same “I just prefer other songs” treatment

26) I Look In People’s Windows

The shortest song on TTPD: TA, I Look In People’s Windows is our first song in this ranking that explores the theme of depression. This song tells the story of Swift’s loneliness, often finding herself “looking in peoples windows” in hopes to just catch a glimpse of her former lover again despite the breakup leaving the two not knowing each other anymore. This song is, in my opinion, where the album starts to blend having it’s lyrics standout while having an interesting sound with it having sonic element from her Folklore album, another critically acclaimed album from Swift herself.

25) My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys

The third song from TTPD: TA, My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys (MBOBHFT) is a song put into the denial category. In this song, Swift goes back to when her former lover and her first met, saying “but you should’ve seen him when he first saw me,” and referencing herself as one of his favourite toys that he has since broken. She also follows the theme of the former lover missing her once she fixes herself and grows. Personally, I find something off in the vocal production of this song which makes me not listen to it as much. Something, especially in the verses, sounds a tad off. Could I tell you what it is? Not in the slightest but when I figure it out, you’ll know.

24) imgonnagetyouback

The second song on the second half of this album, imgonnagetyouback also follows the theme of denial. With lyrics like “I can tell when somebody still wants me” as well as “Even if it’s handcuffed, I’m leaving here with you,” shows that sense of denial and delusion of Swift, fully believing that her former lover still wants her and that regardless she’ll be with him. However, it’s to note that the ambiguity of the song, as in not knowing if she is going to ruin or romantically re-enter the formers life, has fallen into controversy as musician Olivia Rodrigo, who has had her fair shares of controversy involving Swift, released her song Get Him Back! earlier that year. If we’re being honest and if I had to chose between the two ambiguous songs, I prefer Rodrigo’s rendition of the theme, though that isn’t to downplay Swift’s version as both are good in their own rights.

23) Fresh Out The Slammer

With “old-timey, classic western” vibes, Fresh Out The Slammer is our third song that explores the theme of acceptance. In Fresh Out The Slammer, Swift explores the theme of recognizing and understanding your previous mistakes as well as growing from them to hopefully never make those same mistakes. In this first-person narrative, Swift has “done her time” reflecting on her previous relationship and growing from it to now being “released” and ready to pick up an old relationship, citing that now she “knows what’s at stake here.” I would love to put this higher on the list, however my sister has since ruined it for me due to it playing in the car and her referencing the “Darling! Guess who’s back from jail,” TikTok sound as soon as it started.

22) I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

Bob the Builder truly has nothing on I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) [ICFH(NRIC)], with its overarching theme being denial. Through this song, Swift tells the story where she is in denial, referencing her former as something that is broken, believing that she can fix him. She shows other people who are around that she’s in denial by telling them that “He’s [her] man” to which they shake their heads towards her. Ultimately, Swift comes to the conclusion that she can’t fix him. This song has the feelings and sound of being in an empty, old-timey saloon but unfortunately for ICFH(NRIC) there are just songs that I enjoy more.

21) The Albatross

For all of my literary people, The Albatross is the song for you. Exploring the theme of bargaining, throughout the song Swift is bargaining with/warning her partner that the “danger” that the public says she is, is up to interpretation and can be viewed as a death penalty or an adventure. Though, Swift hasn’t publicly come out about it, it is heavily rumoured that this song was inspired by Samuel Coolidge’s “Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.” She’s previously referenced Coolidge as being an inspiration of hers, with Folklore’s bonus track The Lakes an homage to the Lakes Poets and her retracing their footprints of escapism. The Albatross has the sounds of her eighth studio album Folklore, however I feel as if it is a scrapped song off the indie folk album.

20) How Did It End?

Our second song that targets the theme of depression, it’s How Did It End? How Did It End? targets Swift as she’s fully realizing that her relationship has run it’s course and has ended but doesn’t know and, quite frankly, doesn’t understand how it ended. In this song, she references the fact that it still seems like the two were perfect for each other when in reality they were far from that but chose to ignore it until her former partner didn’t. Though this song has a strong opening line of “We hereby conduct this post mortem,” and is filled with some of her best writing throughout , it’s not a song I find myself listening to that often and going back to.

19) Clara Bow

A reference to the 1920’s actress, Clara Bow takes on the role of depression. In an interview with Amazon Music, Swift revealed that this song is about how in the industry, they teach women to replace each other and the constant comparison females are forced to deal with. She also stated “We watch what we create, then judge it. we love to watch artists in pain…” This song ends with the 35 year-old referencing herself, saying “You look like Taylor Swift,” ultimately pulling the listener back to the feeling of hopelessness and nothing changing despite trying to make that change for the future. I find myself going back to Clara Bow, for both the meaning of the song as well as the killer bass guitar lead, a sound we haven’t really heard from Swift until this point.

18) Fortnight ft. Post Malone

The lead single of TTPD: TA, Fortnight ft. Post Malone showcases the feeling of depression. With references like “The miracle move on drug” having temporary effects and how still loving her former lover is ruining her life, it’s hard not to put this in the depression stage. Throughout the song, Swift reminisces on her former lover and the love they shared while throwing us into present time. This song was definitely a grower on me. I’ve criticized Swift in the past for her lead singles but after listening to the whole album and letting the songs sink it, this makes sense as the lead single. However, there are other songs I like more.

17) Guilty as Sin?

The halfway point of the original TTPD album, Guilty as Sin? targets the stage bargaining. With Taylor falling back into her delusional state, recalling things her and her former lover have never done and the former “writing ‘mine’ on [her] upper thigh in [her] mind,” it’s evident that she is daydreaming and fantasizing a life with her and the former love interest. It’s written in a way that she’s bargaining with herself, telling herself that the people (whether that’s the public or the people around her) “are gonna crucify [her] anyways,” regardless of what happens. From the live drum kit, to the religious references scattered throughout, this song is once I go back and listen to quite a bit. When the album was first released, it was way higher on the list, but the songs above it have grown on me a lot.

16) The Bolter

No one runs faster than the Bolter, a song stemming from themes of denial. In this narrative song, Swift tells the story of a woman looking for a love that she can’t find, prompting her to run away from close relationships which is why her friend nicknamed her The Bolter. The protagonist is constantly on the lookout for a love that doesn’t feel suffocating to her which is why when she inevitably bolts, it feels like breathing to her. Ultimately, she finds someone but the person isn’t who they appeared to be at the beginning. Instead of living in denial for this man, she knows she has to bolt and trust her gut instincts. For all of my literary peeps again, this song, thought not confirmed, has been speculated to be based on the character Fanny Logan from Nancy Mitford’s ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ in which the character Fanny is also given the nickname ‘The Bolter’ for the exact same reason. The third person narration, as well as the guitar and chill vibes it brings, has me coming back to the song more often.

15) I Hate It Here

The halfway point of the ranking, I Hate It Here takes on the theme of denial (and pretty evidently at that). In this song, the 35 year-old ‘Bad Blood’ singer talks about hating her current life and the world she’s living in, so she chooses to live in delusion and denial by fantasizing imaginary worlds in her mind of better places. Honestly, this song is the perfect representation of my own personal denial, in the sense of choosing to go to imaginary places where everything is fine instead of dealing with the real world and the problems it brings which is why it ranks at the mid way point for me on this album.

14) Peter

The only song that doesn’t have a stage of grief attached to it, Peter, which I agree is the only song off of TTPD: TA that doesn’t fit a stage of grief which makes it stand out for me. As a reference to the story of Peter Pan, Swift plays the role of Wendy in this song, Peter Pan’s first love interest. Throughout this song, Swift is constantly reminding the listener that her “Peter” was going to “grow up then come find [her],” but inevitably never does, much like the actual story of Peter Pan. By the end of the song, it almost feels like Swift has never reached acceptance over her former lover and that the whole story is just one cycle which in the story of Peter Pan, is extremely accurate. Peter Pan is a very prominent figure in the Swiftie timeline ever since she dropped her album Folklore. This song was one of the few songs I started bawling to during my first listen through of this album and has consistently been a go-to cry song.

13) The Alchemy

A song about finding her love post breakup, The Alchemy is all about acceptance. I know I said I wasn’t going to speculate who each song was about, but with the amount of football references in this song, it’s really hard not to believe this one’s about Travis Kelce. As stated earlier, this song is all about Swift finding love post breakups and bouncing back with lines like “What if I told you I’m back?” scattered all throughout the song. In all it’s glory, it’s a very cute song and also features a sound we haven’t really heard from Taylor during the verses mixed with a catchy chorus which makes it such a standout for me.

12) Cassandra

The last of the “first name only” trilogy, Cassandra is all about anger, and is also our first song in the anger category. Cassandra follows the myth of the prophetess Cassandra to explore the experience of being silenced and discredited after speaking truth. This theme has followed Swift since 2016, the year the world cancelled her.

During the song, Swift relates the Greek Myth of Cassandra to her own silencing, evidently in the line “So they filled my cell with snakes.” I have to be fully transparent in saying, when this song first came out and even a couple months later, this song was very low on my list. It started to move up on my list after seeing Taylor Swift during her “Era’s Tour” in Toronto, and yes it was magically and so I have sentimental value to this song.

Photo Credit: Darrien Byers

11) I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

The song of all delusions, I Can Do It With A Broken Heart (ICDIWABH) represents the denial stage. This song depicts Swift, a superstar, having to lie to the audiences at her shows as they’re always expecting her to give her best show even through rough times. Disguised as an upbeat pop song, this song explores the ideas of putting your problems and pain aside, going out with a smile, and “faking it until you make it.” She gives insight into her life, letting her fans know that she’s been performing the “Eras Tour” with a broken heart while also being self aware of how upset and miserable she is. This song is the perfect balance of delusion, heartbreak, and upbeat pop (and was also super fun to see live).

10) The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

Female rage the musical presents The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived (TSMWEL), a song fuelled by anger. Don’t let the softness of the opening piano notes fool you, she is full of resentment and hatred here. From themes of “ghosting,” and “love-bombing,” Swift is rage-filled at her former lover in this 4 minute and 5 second song, believing they did it all on purpose to break her and ruin her. This song, truly, is the best way to kick off the top ten songs and it’s an amazing song to scream down the highway when you’re feeling vengeful.

9) So High School

The nostalgia trip of the album, So High School is the second last song about acceptance. This song is an ode to Swifts new love, saying that this new relationship makes her feel like a 16 year-old again every time she looks at him. With references to Grand Theft Auto and American Pie, it’s easy to feel the nostalgia in the song and helps transport the listener to what he new found love feels like. Even as a single man, listening to this song makes me blush and feel all gooey on the inside. It’s easily a cuter and more playful version of The Alchemy. You may even say the two songs are related.

8) Down Bad

She’s crying at the gym, she’s Down Bad! Down Bad is a song that explores the themes of depression, with feeling like her past love built her up just to let her down. Presumptuously, this song takes place fairly close to a breakup, with Swift feeling the effects of the post-breakup depressive episode everywhere she goes, thus making it hard for her to still function as a human. Despite these feelings, she still wants her former relationship, reminiscing on it, as well as is willing to do anything to get them back. This song, quite honestly, is the best synth pop sounding song on this album. With the opening bass and the down tempo vibes, it matches the lyrics perfectly.

7) Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me

The rage is far from over because Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me (WAOLOM) is another rage filled banger. This is easily Taylor Swifts most theatrical sounding song she’s ever released. The underlying meaning of this song is targeted towards the critics and society; the ones who judge the music. In an interview with Amazon Music, while writing the “bitter” song, Swift shed light on the industry and what society and critics do the artists. “What do we do to our writers? And our artists? And our creatives? We put them through hell,” Swift says, ultimately citing this bitterness as the spark of WAOLOM. This song is to make critics and the judgers of society fear her, say they “wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised [her],” and even pokes fun at herself and her public reputation. With the dramatics this song brings and how different it is from anything Swift has done, it has certainly earned it’s place on this list.

6) Florida!!! ft. Florence + The Machine

The Taylor Swift collab we didn’t know we needed until it happened! Florida!!! ft. Florence + The Machine is a song that’s planted its roots in the depression stage of grief. This song is about escape, when something and someplace is so bad that you just want to run away from it and start a new life, much like some feelings and symptoms associated with depression. Some other notable topics discussed in this song include alcoholism. Overall, the writing between both Taylor Swift and Florence Welch is impeccable and their voices fit each other so well and the indie/Americana vibe of the song.

5) But Daddy I Love Him

Starting off the top five, But Daddy I Love Him is the right balance of denial, delusion, and new found love. This song has been placed in the denial category, with Swift acknowledging her new lover is crazy yet still choosing not to come to her senses. Despite the people around telling her it’s not a good idea and only wants what’s best for her, she doesn’t care! She’s choosing to live her life, love who she wants, but also ignore the red flags her new fling brings, even announcing that she’s going to have his baby as a prank to everyone.. It’s the honeymoon phase of love after all. This song, is a state of delusion and personally, I love it. It makes me want to frolic through a field with my shirt unbuttoned and despite is underlying meaning and nature, is so light hearted.

4) Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus

Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus (aka Chloe et al.), the second last song about depression on the list, explores the idea of Swift moving on from her former relationships despite wanting it to still be alive. It also explores the idea that you can’t force two people to fall and stay in love with each other. During the song, Swift is going back and reliving how she changed herself and who she was for this lover. Despite all of that growth and change, Swift is heard repeatedly saying “If you wanna break my cold, cold heart, just say ‘I loved you, the way the you were,'” which would ultimately give Swift the closure she’s asking for while simultaneously shattering her heart. There’s something about how melodic Chloe et al. is that just hits the right spot and keeps it interesting while progressing the story forward.

3) loml

Easily one of the saddest songs Taylor Swift has ever written, loml tackles the theme of depression. Swift is seen reminiscing on her past love, reflecting on the good parts in the first verse, followed by the blood boil in verse two, to finally reach the climax (and turning point) in the bridge and finally chorus where the line “You said I’m the love of your life,” turns into “You’re the loss of my life,” showing the double meaning to the song title loml. However despite the turn and turmoil, she would still go back to him. The story telling aspect of loml is untouchable, with the whole song ultimately being a build up without stopping until we hit that classic, 10/10, Taylor Swift bridge. The simplicity of the piano really lets the lyrics be showcased and be the building force to the story which in this case, is a masterpiece.

2) The Black Dog

The starting song to the second half of the album, The Black Dog embodies anger in the stage of grief. In this storyline, Taylors ex partner went to a bar (which is a real place) called The Black Dog but forgot to turn his location off, so she could see where he was. This anger comes from a place of wondering how someone could move on, and not miss someone, as well as them pretending to be a person they aren’t and finally ends with Taylor wishing them nothing but the worst while they’re at The Black Dog. This song is the ultimate transition between denial and bringing the listener into the world of anger.

1) So Long, London

Taylor Swifts covenant track five song, So Long, London rounds off the list nicely as a song about acceptance. Despite still having pent up resentment towards her former “partner in crime,” Swift comes to terms and recognizes it’s time to leave the city that she once loved, London. This song shares Swift’s anger towards her former love but is also getting back to her usual self and is fully a song about how you can accept something has happened but you don’t need to forgive the person who caused it. The synths are new to the Swift sound and personally I feel she needs to use them more.

If you made it this far, thanks for sticking around! Please let me know how your ranking matches up with mine. Just remember these are solely my opinions.

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