ARE THESE SONGS BETTER THAN ALL TOO WELL? *hot takes on taylor swift's songwriting*

Just realised I never filled this in...wow that's so random of me! Anyway here's me giving ATW a run for its money with the undiscovered supermodels of the discography. Lmk what you think in the comments but as always don't be rude xx
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[@agelianaioannidou2913]

I've always thought Dear John was her best lyrically but I understand why people say that all too well is her best song bc it represents her as a songwriter better

[@itssophiax4180]

Dear John is forever my all too well. If not just for that line “I’m shining like fireworks over your sad empty town”. I feel like it’s one of her few heartache songs which show the contrast of utter heartache and vulnerability and then the empowerment and moving on all in one song.

[@morgandavis1527]

AGREED!!! Dear John is superior

[@ingridbrandt7710]

Marjorie has really grown on me. Once you’ve lost a beloved parent or grandparent you feel those lyrics in a new way. It’s such a gorgeous, heartbreaking balance between sorrow and tribute.

[@aloneinmidnight]

you're actually so right about SYGB. i don't think i've listened to that song willingly since 2019, and it isn't because it's bad - it's an amazing song, but it is SO uncomfortable to listen to. it's so deeply sad. and like yes you can relate it to your own situations, but because it's so explicitly about andrea and taylor is so upset singing it, it just really hurts to listen to in a way all too well never did? fuck. it exists on its own timeline to me. like it's one of her songs, but it isn't one of ours

[@theswiftologist]

THAT LAST LINE......poetry bestie

[@thienryhenry2577]

Finally someone talking about Last Kiss She went hard with this The emotion, unfiltered, self-written, 2 parts of bridge, the shaky breathe on the bridge It is better than All Too Well

[@the3rdquark]

Agree that songs like Clean, hoax, my tears ricochet don’t really get there because they seem too abstracted - it’s beautiful poetry, but it’s not a ballad, a story told through song. For that we need Dear John and Last Kiss and All Too Well, where she just tells us the whole story from start to finish. We don’t get that anymore, we just get “the moon was high, like your friends were the night when we first met.” And we never will again! (Aside: I think this is why people overrate champagne problems, because it’s a return to that kind of storytelling, it just falls a little flatter for me because it’s NOT REAL).

[@juliakeeton6953]

What about Cornelia street??? Not as good lyrically. But definitely showcases her narrative storytelling. Or songs like Betty?

[@meridith7137]

Its funny because lyrically I would say Dear John / Last Kiss are her strongest, but both Sad Beautiful Tragic and Hoax are just VISCERAL for me. Like with All Too Well they perfectly capture this heartbreaking mosaic of emotions, but just destroy me everytime in a way her other songs don't come close to. And the way the lyrics are simple but the WAY she sings them? 'you have beaten my heart', 'could you just try to listen?'. Pain. I am in it.

[@theswiftologist]

Madeline would co-sign this comment

[@maggiemeyers3998]

I'm admittedly obsessed with Out Of The Woods but I think it's the only 1989 song that rivals All Too Well's specificity, storytelling, and production

[@skyhoward2050]

Agreed! Fully. It saved 1989 for me tbh.

[@azulablue6988]

Uhhhmm no when Clean exists.

[@breebee83]

Same! I absolutely love Out of the Woods. I think the theme of all these anxieties and going into a relationship you have a fear of self-sabitoging and being your own worst enemy at times by creating fake scenarios.....is what did it for me. It felt very relatable to me because I have had the same experiences. Longest. Run. On. Sentence. Ever. Yikes. My emotions took over! Lol.

[@fabianr.8544]

Of course there are better songs than all too well, they deserve respect, Dear John, Last Kiss, Cold As You, You're Not Sorry, Better Man and back to December are as good as all too well

[@theswiftologist]

you're not sorry doesn't even deserve to be in the same breath as those other songs but other than that go off!

[@guineverer23]

I would put Marjorie and Soon You’ll Get Better in the All Too Well tier i.e. deeply moving, specificity/hyperdetailed, lyrically and musically superior in overall feel as well as in the particular moments. Tolerate It and Illicit Affairs would be honorable mentions for me. I don’t think any of these would be able to meet or surpass ATW, especially the 10MV, but these tracks hit for me in a similar way.

[@Maryb-j5k]

I think would’ve could’ve should’ve is also an angry song and it’s so professionally written! It has a few times that her tone goes up higher and higher and she handles it so well … I think I it’s one of the best songs of Midnights

[@KyleOgilvie1]

My serious contenders, I have one that wasn't mentioned. I agree with your list, however. Sonically speaking, Forever Winter doesn't make sense but when you take into consideration that it was co-written by the same man who wrote Pumped Out Kicks it makes totally does. Lyrically speaking, there is a desperation in her voice talking to the subject (whom I don't want to speculate on who it could be because realistically we'll probably never know) into looking only at her, begging the subject to stay. Also that bridge on forever winter breaks my heart into a billion little pieces. I can see why she didn't include it on Red, it's a very personal song and you can hear how personal it is, her voice is cracking in the bridge like a screaming plea for the subject to listen to the speaker. All Too Well and Forever Winter both deal with mental health, but Forever Winter has this 'oh shit, she's going there' and I think it is definitely a contender in terms of feeling like you're butting into a personal conversation. That being said, I can see why it might not be a contender for other people, the background music doesn't quite match the lyrical content, so sonically speaking it isn't the most musically cohesive song.

[@lkcullen1918]

I agree! I've become so attached to Forever Winter

[@taylorswiftlyricism1182]

All too well took a loooooong time to be recognized, it was underated for a long long time.. So no, its not overated. It is in fact The song that finally was recognized as it should.

[@taurunamedjade6389]

I like your point about calculated songs and that the more abstract, and lacking virality, works of taylor swift are profound and underrated. I also know that it is popular to use titles such as "overrated" to draw an audience. Which is necessary for a good-intentioned, journalist to do, such as your self.

[@rloyBB]

THANK YOU Zack!! For giving Soon You'll Get Better the respect it deserves. As you said the song is so impactful and emotional that fans don't want to listen to it, and that's the power of the song. It's so raw, vulnerable and personal yet relatable all at the same time. That's why it hurts me to see the majority of the fans rank it at the bottom of Lover because they don't wanna listen to it but they should recognize the power this song has. SYGB is the most relatable song of hers for me, as at the time of release my mom battled brain tumor, and 3 months after my mom's passing marjorie came out which makes the 2 songs hold a special place in my heart. So thank you!! Also, all your picks are great! Better Man - chef's kiss. I find strange that Taylor never performed Dear John since the Speak Now tour. I think it's a song she's not comfortable with these days. She's always saying how it was tough to perform all too well at the time but the fact that she's still not performing dear John since 2011 is saying something. I have a question for you: I wonder what you think? Do u think Taylor makes her friends sign an NDA form? The obvious answer would be of course, but I'm not so sure. I mean Todrick always blabs about Taylor and he always goes into detail. Her other friends like Selena, Gigi and Martha are at a celebrity status that I feel won't benifit them to talk about Taylor in the media. So what do you think? So happy you're trying to do weekly videos. Can't wait :) have a great week.

[@theswiftologist]

hope you have a great week too, thanks for tuning in

[@SarahMerritt15]

Last Kiss was on REPEAT every day, every night when I was about 13, and then All Too Well came out and Last Kiss was replaced. Those two songs really did something to me. Now, as a 25 year old woman, I listen to All Too Well (10 min) and Last Kiss in rotation… and I can’t wait for Last Kiss TV

[@december3305]

Oooh amazing video! I agree with most of your picks, would add Enchanted (which to me perfectly encapsulates that feeling of being drawn in by someone you have just met, both the excitement and anxiety) and Ronan (for similar reasons to Soon You'll Get Better - despite being about someone else's experience, I do feel like it was very tasteful and empathic).

[@theswiftologist]

yeeeessss enchanted is so good at that tbh

[@december3305]

Before I forget, question for Q&A: if you could design any TS merch, what would you make (I generally find the merch atrocious, why is it just her face on everything when you have *so many* good song lyrics to choose from)

[@paperbackenthusiast]

“Not to name names but the song is called Dear John” okay way to channel Taylor with that sentence HAHAH

[@paularicart200]

When Red TV came out I instantly fell in love with Better Man, for days I had it on repeat multiple times from the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep. And now hearing you talk about it makes super sense cause my fav song is All Too Well and they do give a similar vibe!

[@taralynam9718]

ugh banger video bestie, esp love the shoutout to sygb, so true, it single-handedly elevates the narrative of lover for me. may i humbly present dancing with our hands tied for an honourable mention? i know it's a strange pick, but heaR ME OUT. i think she's the girl who's never been done before, the doomed romance that's not due to either person in the relationship per se, but due to just... circumstance?? and so it's deeply sad and fearful without being heartbreaking. on rep, she's definitely the most vulnerable song, she captures such a specific feeling while also being some of her most evocative songwriting, it's honestly just the production?? unfortunately the production is too dense, which i actually think is representative of rep as a whole. it's one of her most standoffish albums and so it makes sense that her most vulnerable song on it is kinda "hidden away". but the lyrics are seriously where it's at. ugh this song deserved so much better. all her subsequent attempts at tackling a similar feeling, like in the archer ig which rings a bit hollow, or in cornelia street maybe where she talks about feeling so happy she gets sad, or in peace where personally she gets a bit dense w her metaphors, just don't come close. i rly do think this song could shine just given the right instrumentation and production, it deserved a more mellow, delicate touch. an acoustic version would be perfect. it has her flair for drama, elevated songwriting that's simple yet moving & the emotion?? *chefs kiss*

[@Rebecca-bz6ph]

Yes! Thank you for acknowledging ‘sad beautiful tragic’. That song is just pain in prose. Back when it came out I used to play red, especially that song, while walking home at night crying over some terrible guy. Good times 😂 I also recently really noticed how amazing ‘tolerate it’ is. I always play it when I want to reflect and wallow hahaha.

[@hannahsayer]

I'm curious to know if you think any of Taylor's happier songs are on the same level as "All Too Well"? I know it's sort of different having a "positive" emotion associated with a song than a "negative" emotion, but could Taylor write a happy song that encapsulates that emotion the same way "All Too Well" encapsulates her sadness, anger, and hurt? I assume you don't think she has one because you didn't mention any happy songs, unless you just didn't consider them because they are so emotionally different, but do you think it's possible for her to write a song with "positive" emotions or happiness that is on the same level as "All Too Well", just with a more "positive" feeling? If that makes sense...

[@theswiftologist]

will answer this in the q&a video but preliminarily....enchanted kinda fits the bill!

[@paperbackenthusiast]

Feel the same about Clean. What’s it like to be so right with this whole video wow Love your dialogue so much, where would I be without your words Z

[@theswiftologist]

[@anigoel6189]

i think last kiss is better than dear john because last kiss is full of these specific moments kinda like in all too well- his hands in his pockets, 1:58, july 9th, rain fresh on the pavement, sitting on the floor wearing his clothes, his handshake meeting her father, him walking around with his hands in his pockets, dancing for him, rolling eyes, interruptions, etc (there's a few more but i don't remember those rn) dear john is great and i love it, but it doesn't give specific memories like that.

[@gumsguey]

I've alllllways loved Sad Beautiful Tragic!! Sooooo underrated!!

[@Luciferwinchester]

The Moment I knew is up there for me, focuses on a specific emotion, a very specific scene, doesn't hide the details at all. And goes from these soft and vulnerable vocals at the beginning and end, with the building ballad in the middle.

[@emogoesboom]

you're literally the first person I've seen talking about the moment I knew. it's so underrated. it's easily in my top 13 taylor songs

[@Luciferwinchester]

@@emogoesboom It's in my top taylor songs too, criminally underrated

[@paularicart200]

Soon You'll Get Better will never be placed on my top tier songs cause I literally must have listen to it last than 5 times, I cant go through it without sobbing my eyes out so cant hear it too much, but it will always have an important place in my heart. My mom also had breast cancer few eyes ago, and although I found your way of describing it very interesting (as if you were eavesdropping on someone's private conversation), for me it was as if so many feelings that I had in that time were beautifully translated into a song, it felt super personal. The feeling of loneliness that comes with feeling so bad about it, but knowing you cant make that your problem cause someone you love needs you to be strong was said in such an way in that bridge made me finally put it into words all what was in my heart. Although must have been hard for her to share it with the world, I have to thank her for it

[@alisondawnsmith]

YOU JUST SAID BACK TO DECEMBER WAS HER FIRST "I'M THE PROBLEM" SONG AND OMG YOU PREDICTED "I'M THE PROBLEM, IT'S ME" HOW DID YOU DO THAT

[@KyleOgilvie1]

Dear John is All Too Well's cracked out cousin. Just saying.

[@allisonmurrin5440]

would love you to update this post midnights and ttpd!

[@ellie4601]

Weirdly "Cold As You" was the first song I ever heard of Taylor's - it was that second verse that made me an immediate fan. Idk what 15 year old me was going through but I could relate.

[@taurunamedjade6389]

Same! Taylor was writing profoundly as a child and those works were lacking the deserved admiration

[@theswiftologist]

that is such a rogue first song to hear. how did you even encounter it??

[@ellie4601]

​@@theswiftologist My friend made a break-up mix CD and she gave everyone in our friendship group a copy so we would "know what she was going through" (it was 2008 and I was in high school lol). Super weird way to discover Taylor Swift.

[@reneewolosion785]

I think Enchanted is a very strong contender, it blows my mind that she wrote that song about meeting someone for the first time. It’s not even about someone she dated, and yet it describes the feeling of falling in love so perfectly. I was literally just talking to my fiancé about how I am sort of getting sick of all too well. Of course, I love it, and of course, it’s her best song, but as you pointed out she has so many other good songs that kind of get overshadowed by her recent stuff, like ATW 10 minute version, Folklore, Evermore. Or course, Love all of it, but she was doing great music before that, and people don’t always admit that. Excited for the rest of the re recordings.

[@elenagerhardy2636]

I’m wondering if you have any thoughts about aesthetics/genres for future albums (once she’s done with the re recordings). Both what you think she might do, and what you’d like her to do. I’d personally like to see her put out a pop/rock album. We’ve only had small taste of rock moments, but I’ve really enjoyed that sound from her. I’d like to see a move away from the very produced pop sounds in Rep and lover. Not that those albums don’t have great moments, they absolutely do, it’s just that I feel like especially the production of Rep doesn’t best showcase Taylor’s greatest strengths.

[@morgandavis1527]

As an OG swiftie as well, I personally always love dear john more than all too well

[@melsglued]

dear john is my favourite song 💜

[@intheangelcity]

What do you think is the worst song objectively from each album?

[@prabirpal2134]

Enchanted Dear John Last kiss Begin Again Exile Seven Hoax Champagne Problems Tolerate it Marjorie Nothing new are all the songs which I feel are as beautiful and on par with ATW the five minute version BUT BUT BUT not the 10 min one, that's the one song I'll ever know after death.

[@pickledcucumber8693]

I agree with it being good that better man wasn’t on the standard edition, I don’t think it would have fared well compared to all too well if they were both on the main album kinda like how last kiss doesn’t get as much attention on speak now as songs like dear john.

[@theswiftologist]

so true bestie

[@harrypotteravenclaw]

Surprised there was no mention of Holy Ground, but I guess it makes sense that the options would also be breakup songs

[@jdaqua]

Tbh I love Back To December more because she turned down the haters and did the opposite of what she was getting shaded for

[@skyhoward2050]

This is my new massage Playlist.

[@paperbackenthusiast]

THE LAST KISS SOAPBOX 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@yaccothetaco720]

Last Kiss is the best Taylor Swift song and I slept on it for over a decade. I'm ashamed tbh.

[@thienryhenry2577]

Glad that you realized that She went IN with that song 6 mins and no single second of unnecessary lyric

[@imverydisappointed7584]

there's no way my tears ricochet is not 100% autobiographical

[@thunderpunks]

what’s a piece of taylor merch you would do anything to own?

[@liz.a314]

Loved all too well before I kept seeing ppl hype it up - now I need a break 😅

[@theswiftologist]

I think we collectively need an all too well detox

[@liz.a314]

@@theswiftologist last kiss must be protected

[@ameliafargnoli9541]

i feel like dear john is the closest in my eyes

[@antonios8374]

What do you think of I Almost Do as part of this category?? I don't remember where but I read somewhere Taylor had told a fan that she was proud of that song.

[@robertabolliger7841]

Agreed! I was just wondering.. Since this video is from a year ago, now would you include “you’re losing me” up there?

[@jolandagjika2020]

All Too Well In My Swiftie World Is Very Far From The Top But Still It Isn't Bad Song

[@sarahandah9045]

For the Q&A - what Taylor Swift songs made you cry the first time you heard them?

[@canoe2455]

what is your favorite lana del rey song?

[@ninaharlankohl9569]

Right Where You Left Me

[@juanjacome7085]

Both Dear John and All too well are greatly written and have inmaculate lyrics however i think All too well is more vulnerable and raw when it comes to see the relationship in hindsight; "maybe we got lost in translation maybe i asked for too much" i feel just represents thoughts on a heartbroken, confused mind better than Dear John

[@canoe2455]

Her most underrated live performance?

[@amyvega8852]

Last Kiss was my All Too Well before All Too Well even existed.

[@freddiemalvaez23]

What about The Moment I Knew

[@kiwibird4966]

When do you think her next original album (not a rerecording) will be and what do you think it will be like?

[@jaimeroop839]

I wonder what you would say about You're Losing Me now that it came out and if it is in the same category as All Too Well

[@meghansullivan6812]

treacherous!!!!!!

[@canoe2455]

who is your celebrity crush?

[@liz.a314]

my question - still about your thoughts on miss americana ... :D and why you think TS skipped evermore long pond

[@gabriel_de_bettin]

Hi swiftologist 👋🏻

[@theswiftologist]

hi Gabriel!

[@sannn9]

For me there are two songs as good as ATW: this is me trying and the lakes. But all too well 10min TV is her best.

[@yep9121]

It’s Hoax for me😮‍💨🤚

[@Sara-mz3ji]

what would you add now? loml?

[@ashitasharma9287]

q for u- what's the best ts song to hook up to? this seems like a silly lil q but I'm serious

[@caesarq7513]

Not overrated but a bit overplayed or overexposed. But that naturally happens.

[@intheangelcity]

Is Taylor the only artist you have a ton of knowledge about? I know the content you post is mainly Taylor centric, but I'm curious if you have any other artists you love.

[@elenagerhardy2636]

For a video idea, could you do a reaction to this video (personality analyst discussing TS) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWOciHR3mryJjpI It’s a good video, but all the examples he shows are from the Miss Americana documentary, and I’m hoping you could add a lot more context and other examples, as well as critique his takes.

[@frankiestein1507]

What is the most relatable Taylor Swift song?

[@teunbante8253]

For me its mirrorball

[@KyleOgilvie1]

For me it's Forever Winter.

[@cheddarbialy1805]

Afterglow

[@Shan72393]

‘tis the damn season

[@theswiftologist]

loving the replies to this. everyone reply w ur most relatable song !! mine....right now....is probably mirrorball fml

[@Hunny8ee]

For the Q&A I'd be interested to know are there any other artists you follow closely and who are they? Also following the iconic era of Folklore/Evermore what do you think would be the worst next step Taylor might make the mistake of taking with her music?

[@kellyr9160]

*Which re-recording are you most excited for and why? :)*

[@intheangelcity]

Do you have the knowledge from past experience only, or do have to do some research since you seem to have a ton of trivial knowledge about Taylor Swift?

[@theswiftologist]

I've been around for over a decade at this point LMAO...I had a Tumblr for a long time + I guess I have a pretty good memory

[@limiculous]

18:20 “her first maybe ‘i’m the problem’ song” congrats on calling anti-hero nine months early lmao

[@zeejay4458]

This song is so boring, repetitive and predictable. I hope people are joking when they say this is her best song.

[@sacredsunflower8930]

Omg… in Peace, she says “but I would die for you in secret” wow references “cold as you from debut on folklore 😯

[@theswiftologist]

um that's not a reference it's a coincidence lol

[@Maryb-j5k]

I loved All Too Well 3 min. Please don’t come at me 😅🫣🤪 it was shorter, more simple and more effective I’d say… It feels as if the words have more power due to the brevity of the song…

[@snowyowlss]

there is no all too well 3 min lol

[@Maryb-j5k]

@@snowyowlss Amen to that 😄😍💪🏻🙏🏻 Taylor’s version forever