Taylor Swift has officially submitted a nomination into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The organisation highlights the work of music lyrics, with those being eligible for the accolade having their first commercial song release over 20 years ago, with an acclaimed discography to follow.
Swift just creeps into this eligibility window, with her first ever release “Tim McGraw” being released in June 2006, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame taking place in June 2026.
So let’s take a look at the tracks that Swift had put in her nomination.
All Too Well (10 Minute Version) – I can’t imagine any of Swift’s audience will be surprised to see this one make the list. Whilst not originally being released as a single, All Too Well was a deep cut on Swift’s 2012 album Red, which quickly became a fan favourite. With it’s intense storytelling and buildup to that bridge where Swift remarks ‘So casually cruel in the name of being honest’, this song was undoubtably one of the singers most hard hitting tracks of her career to that point.
So when Red (Taylor’s Version) was released, so too was this highly anticipated extended version. More emotion, more turmoil, more storytelling, the 10-minute version went deeper into Swift’s young heartbreak. This track will go down as one of the singer’s most critically acclaimed, needing no explanation as to why she’s picked it for this submission.
Blank Space – The artist’s next submission comes from 2014’s 1989. This was her first full pop album, which received mass acclaim and saw seven singles be released from the track. The track is sassy, tongue in cheek and undoubtably catchy. It was the first time we’ve seen Swift call out her haters, by leaning into the headlines playing the exact character they portray her as, a tactic she has definitely played into again following this success. Her lyrics are sharp, smart and cheeky, a submission that the singer has range.
Anti Hero – From the 2022 release ‘Midnights’, Anti Hero is an introspective dive into Swift’s anxieties and self-perception. It is a track that is looking inward, divulging from her typical style that often tells a story of relationships, the media and those closest to her. Again showing a range in her style, I can see why this one was chosen, however there are definitely tracks in Swift’s catalogue that rival the songwriting on this track.
Love Story – This one needs no introduction. Arguably the first track that really catapulted Taylor Swift into the mainstream, 2009’s Love Story, remains one of the singers most widely recognised and loved tracks in her discography. Taking the renowned ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and putting her own spin on it, the song highlights Swift doing what Swift does best – storytelling. It introduced audiences to the singer and her immersive lyrical talent, and is so important in showcasing Swift’s undeniable craft right from the beginning of her career.
the last great american dynasty – 2020’s ‘Folklore’ saw Swift doing something that we were yet to see. The album was made up of fictional tales, with the singer creating characters or looking to historical tales to create her work. Before this, she was synonymous with the ‘break up song’ and crafting music based on her experiences. This album took a turn and in doing so, became some of her best songwriting to date. the last great american dynasty takes it’s rightful place on this list, telling the story of socialite Rebekah Harkness and her frivolous lifestyle in her Rhode Island mansion, a property that was later bought by Swift herself. This song and album itself highlights that Swift’s artistry knows no bounds and that she can still have audiences feeling just as connected to her music no matter who her tracks centre.
With Anti Hero being the unlikely track in this bunch, there are some from Swift’s catalogue that would be a worthy swap here. Also from ‘Folklore’, Cardigan is some of the songwriters best lyricism taking on the lens of the heartbroken ‘Betty’. There are also tracks from ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ that could definitely make the cut – Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus, and How Did It End? just to name a few.
There are an undeniable number of debates that could be had over the 5 tracks chosen in this submission, highlighting that there is clearly no debate when it comes to Swift’s skills as a songwriter.
Article by Grace for Musik Magazine.