Pop icon Taylor Swift, who has had a long journey since releasing her debut album in 2006, is reliving her previous albums through “The Eras Tour,” while re-recording some tracks to gain ownership of her music. From young country singer to accomplished pop star, all 10 of her studio albums have different storylines and styles. We’ve come up with a list of the top five Taylor Swift eras. “Are you ready for it…” 

#5: “Lover” 

The “Lover” era experience is sure to brighten your mood. Released in 2019, the album provided a light-hearted transition from the intense “Reputation” era and brought a return to her gentler love songs such as “Lover” and “Cruel Summer.” Though it featured new engaging aspects such as the documentary “Miss Americana” and “Lover Fest,” the era was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic and wasn’t able to reach its full potential. 

#4: “Fearless” 

Swift’s “Fearless” album, released in 2008, showed a transition from country to a more pop-infused genre. With hits like “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me,” Swift’s growth in popularity came alongside a growth in maturity. These songs helped Swift win her first Grammy for the “Fearless” album in 2009. To regain her ownership from possessive music executive Scooter Braun, who sold her masters, she is re-recording her old albums. “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” was the first album to be re-recorded and released in 2021.

#3: “Taylor Swift” (Debut)

Swift’s first album was released in 2006 and portrayed her teenage angst, heartbreak and love life through tracks like “Teardrops On My Guitar” and “Tim McGraw.” The era introduced her as a standout country singer and performer at the young age of 17. The era is classic and is a good throwback to turn on to reminisce on the good old days. 

#2: “Reputation”

After two years away from the spotlight, Swift released “Reputation” in 2017 as a comeback album that also exposed the press for being intrusive. Though it was still a pop album, it was vastly different from her previous albums’ sounds and styles. Songs like “Look What You Made Me Do” and “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” emphasized themes of revenge and independence in addition to love. In addition, the excitement leading up to the album was brought to new levels by her disappearance from the media for a year, and the following tour experience was bigger and more engaging than ever before. 

#1: “Speak Now”

Swift’s “Speak Now” album consists of 14 songs; it was released in 2010. Almost all of the songs on the album are four to six minutes long and are considered more pop-influenced than her previous albums, “Fearless” and “Taylor Swift (Debut).” You can still hear her country accent throughout. Her southern accent being heard in the mature heartbreak songs of “Speak Now” (such as “Last Kiss” and “Dear John”) shows her growth while staying true to the country girl inside of her. In addition, the original version of the album was entirely self written. There is not one song not to like, even on the deluxe version. The era of “Speak Now” is about loving and losing. “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” was recently announced and comes out July 9. Be sure to listen in when it’s released, and you’ll understand why it’s the #1 Taylor Swift era.