Taylor Swift, the name synonymous with storytelling through song, possesses an extraordinary gift: the ability to make us feel understood. Whatever emotional landscape you’re navigating, there’s likely a Taylor Swift song that resonates, offering a sense of recognition and solace.
It’s when you delve into her extensive discography, album by album, that you uncover the wealth of therapeutic insights, metaphors, and life lessons woven into her music. These aren’t just catchy tunes; they’re potential pathways to healing.
After careful consideration, drawing from the therapeutic depth in her lyrics, we’ve curated a list of what we believe are Dr. Swift’s most healing songs. We’ve selected one from each of her main albums, plus one from the Vault, for a collection of ten powerful tracks.
Remember, this is just one perspective. The most healing Taylor Swift song for you is ultimately the one that speaks to your heart. Trust your instincts and what resonates with your personal journey.
These choices are based on personal interpretation and a lens of therapeutic themes. The beauty of art, especially music, lies in its subjectivity – you can find your own meaning and healing within it.
Our aim is to blend an appreciation for Taylor Swift’s artistry with an understanding of therapeutic principles, highlighting the healing potential within her songs.
Important Note: The songs are listed chronologically by album, not ranked. However, we will reveal which song stands out as the most profoundly healing overall – keep reading!
Discover Your Healing Taylor Swift Song From Each Album
Taylor Swift (Self-Titled Album) – “A Place In This World”: Your Anthem for Finding Your Way
Many of us fall into the trap of believing happiness will arrive once we have everything perfectly mapped out. We chase the idea of “making it” or reaching some definitive milestone.
But life’s reality is often a journey of constant discovery – figuring out who you are, what truly matters to you, and which path to tread. And as we know, life rarely unfolds exactly as planned.
This is why “A Place in This World” is chosen as the most healing track from Taylor Swift’s debut album.
This song is an ode to the journey itself, not the destination. It’s a comforting reassurance when you feel adrift, a reminder that you don’t need a detailed roadmap. Sometimes, simply “just walkin'” is enough.
The lyrics resonate with grounding truths:
“Tomorrow’s just a mystery, oh yeah, but that’s okay” – a gentle nudge to embrace life’s uncertainties. Believing in your inner resilience is key to navigating the unknown.
“I’m alone, on my own, and that’s all I know” – an empowering affirmation that you have yourself to rely on, regardless of external circumstances.
“I’ll be strong, I’ll be wrong, oh but life goes on” – a powerful blend of courage, humility, and acceptance. Life’s journey includes both triumphs and missteps.
And the poignant line, “got the sunshine, could you tell me what more do I need?”
It’s a call to gratitude. When feelings of being lost or hopeless creep in, connecting with nature, even something as simple as sunshine, can spark gratitude and shift your perspective.
Fearless – “Change”: Your Song for Hope in Transformation
If you’ve ever weathered a storm, where everything seems to unravel, and you fear the darkness will never lift… then “Change” is your beacon of hope.
The very title itself exudes healing energy.
Healing is often intertwined with transformation, with change. Think of therapy – many seek it to instigate change in their lives.
Situations are fluid, feelings are transient, reactions can be reshaped, and even your sense of self can evolve.
*“Change” is the healing choice from Fearless.
In moments of darkness, holding onto the belief that “these things will change” is vital for healing. It’s about nurturing hope when it feels distant.
Admittedly, life throws curveballs, situations beyond our control. When external change is impossible, the focus shifts inward. Internal change, moving from resistance to acceptance, becomes the path.
The lyric “we sing Hallelujah” transcends religious context. It’s a reminder of connection, of being part of something larger than oneself. A universal expression of hope, faith, and gratitude for brighter days ahead.
Thank you, Taylor, for the reminder to keep the faith.
Speak Now – “Innocent”: Your Path to Compassion and Self-Forgiveness
This song is famously speculated to be about the Kanye West VMA incident.
Regardless of its origin, “Innocent” from Speak Now offers profound healing lessons and surprising depth.
Taylor Swift envisions the person who caused her pain as a child – innocent, playful, seeking comfort. She sees them before life’s hardships, before the “monsters caught up” to them.
Childhood experiences and interpretations shape adult behavior profoundly. Subconscious barriers, formed in childhood, can negatively impact relationships without us even realizing.
If someone has hurt you, forgiveness isn’t mandatory. Acceptance of their behavior isn’t required.
You may not be ready for compassion, and that’s perfectly okay.
But consider this: one day, you might find it possible to view that person as the innocent child they once were, perhaps even a baby.
Understanding their potential past struggles can illuminate their actions, possibly sparking compassion.
Expanding your narrative, seeing their situation with more nuance, can help release anger and resentment.
Furthermore, “Innocent” is a powerful tool for inner child healing, especially when you direct the lyrics inward.
We all stumble, we all make mistakes. Our self-response often mirrors how we were treated by caregivers.
If self-forgiveness or self-acceptance feels like a struggle, it might stem from a lack of these lessons in your upbringing.
But healing starts now. You can learn to treat yourself with kindness and compassion. This song guides you:
“Your string of lights is still bright to me.”
“Who you are is not what you did.”
“Today is never too late to be brand new.”
These affirmations encourage positive self-talk after mistakes, fostering self-reparenting.
This is deep healing.
Red – “Begin Again”: Your Reminder of New Chapters and Self-Love
“Begin Again” from Red is overtly about finding love. Yes, it’s healing because it reminds us that endings pave the way for new beginnings. One chapter closes, another opens.
“Begin Again” is indeed the chosen healing song from Red.
But there’s more to uncover.
Here’s a technique: when love songs don’t resonate romantically, creatively reframe the subject.
A powerful reframe? Direct the love song toward yourself (mind blown!).
Listening to “Begin Again,” envision hope on a date, imagine respect and kindness, a beautiful connection, and simply enjoying the moment.
Apply this imagery to self-love! Date yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and respect. Cultivate a beautiful connection with you. Enjoy your own company (!!!).
Remember “it” in “on a Wednesday, in a cafe, I watched it begin again” is adaptable.
If “it” isn’t romantic love now, “it” can still represent what you seek in a partner – interest in your life, deep compassion, understanding, and love itself. Give these to yourself.
Every day, every moment, is a chance to begin again.
Disappointed we didn’t choose “All Too Well”? Don’t worry. That song’s breakup processing power is acknowledged in a separate dedicated piece.
1989 – “Clean”: Your Cathartic Release and Emotional Detox
Creating space for authentic feelings is crucial for healing.
Allowing yourself to feel emotions enables examination, helping you cleanse yourself of unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, or situations.
“Clean” is the healing highlight from 1989.
This song’s interpretations are diverse – cleansing from addiction, substance use, or the lingering presence of a past relationship. It can also represent healing from trauma, feeling emotionally “clean” again.
But a unifying thread is the healing power of tears.
“Rain came pouring down” evokes tears streaming down a face.
“When I was drowning, that’s when I could finally breathe” suggests surrendering to emotions, experiencing them fully to release them. Even when overwhelming, you must go through them to move beyond them.
Crying releases oxytocin and endorphins, natural pain relievers!
So, embrace tears. Sad, angry, frustrated – allow yourself to cry.
Crying isn’t weakness. It’s not shameful. It’s a cathartic release, a way to cleanse heart, mind, and soul.
Reputation – “Call It What You Want”: Your Anthem of Self-Worth and Finding Comfort
Failure or loss can trigger embarrassment and shame, often fueled by worries about others’ perceptions.
The chosen Reputation song acknowledges defeat and failure.
Yet, it’s also about shifting focus to life’s positives.
It’s about seeking comfort in difficult times.
And, crucially, recognizing your intrinsic worth, irrespective of external opinions.
“Call It What You Want” is the healing gem from Reputation.
While ostensibly about finding solace in a loving partner, this song’s healing extends beyond romance.
A supportive partner is undoubtedly therapeutic.
But if you lack that, you can still extract healing by directing the lyrics to any comfort source – a pet, a hobby, or even yourself.
Transform it into a self-love anthem. Imagine yourself “fly as a jet stream, high above the whole scene, loving yourself like you’re brand new.”
YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN FIRE TO KEEP YOURSELF WARM.
Becoming your own source of comfort and strength? Call it what you want – but it’s healing.
Lover – “Daylight”: Your Song of Transformation After Darkness
Here it is – the song that claims the top spot as the most healing Taylor Swift song: “Daylight.”
It’s a musical portrayal of a Dark Night of the Soul and the subsequent emergence into light.
A Dark Night of the Soul is a period of intense emotional pain and upheaval. Everything you believed about yourself and life crumbles.
It’s a painful, disorienting experience. Feelings of depression, physical unease, and utter lack of control are common.
It forces a deconstruction of your entire belief system.
But surrendering to this experience, finding acceptance, and seeking meaning within it can unlock profound growth and healing.
Remember the iconic Look What You Made Me Do lyric:
“I’m sorry, but the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh! Cause she’s dead.”
This is evidence of Dr. Swift’s own Dark Night of the Soul.
The old self dies, transformation occurs, and it’s emotionally draining.
But with the death of the old self, the ego can dissolve, paving the way to rediscover Your True Self – a purer, more radiant version.
“Daylight” from Lover is the ultimate healing song.
Personal experience echoes this. Navigating my own Dark Night of the Soul for two years profoundly changed me. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary, leading to immense personal growth.
“Daylight”‘s lyrics capture this deep transformation:
“Been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night, and now I see daylight” – emerging from darkness into joy, hope, and life’s positives.
“I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I saw you,” interpreted as glimpsing Your True Self, that radiant, loving inner being. Once seen, everything shifts.
And the powerful closing lines: “I wanna be defined by the things that I love. Not the things, I hate. That I’m afraid of – afraid of. That haunt me in the middle of the night. I – I just think that – you are what you love.”
A powerful reframe! If this isn’t healing, what is?
Folklore – “This Is Me Trying”: Your Validation for Effort and Imperfect Progress
Initially, “This Is Me Trying” didn’t immediately strike me as therapeutic until witnessing Taylor Swift’s explanation in The Long Pond Studio Sessions.
But after her insights, it became clear: this song is a therapy session in musical form. The lyric “pouring out my heart to a stranger, but I didn’t pour the whiskey” directly references therapy.
“This Is Me Trying” from Folklore is profoundly healing.
Its core theme is vital for personal healing and supporting others on their journeys.
It validates that you’re likely doing your best with your current understanding and resources. Even when actions seem minimal, even if you feel you’re not doing enough, the song acknowledges the effort.
Feeling depressed and only managing to shower for 5 minutes? “This Is Me Trying” recognizes that as effort.
Applied to hundreds of jobs without an interview? “This Is Me Trying” sees your persistence.
Sometimes, effort doesn’t yield desired results. This song validates the hopelessness that can accompany persistent trying without success.
It reminds us that easy solutions aren’t always available. Holding space for someone struggling, offering connection, is healing in itself.
Evermore – “Happiness”: Your Embrace of Contradictory Emotions
Holding space for conflicting emotions is challenging but essential for healing.
Listening to “Happiness” from Evermore, you might feel the push and pull of simultaneous conflicting emotions.
Peace coexists with deep sadness:
“Honey when I’m above the trees, I see it for what it is. But now my eyes leak acid rain on the pillow where you used to lay your head.”
Wanting to hold on and let go simultaneously:
“I would have loved you for a lifetime, leave it all behind.”
Honesty about present feelings, while acknowledging their potential evolution:
“All you want from me now is the green light of forgiveness. I haven’t met the new me yet, but I think she’ll give you that.”
“Happiness” is the healing song from Evermore.
It offers an expansive view of happiness:
“There’ll be happiness after you. There was happiness because of you. Both of these things can be true. There is happiness.”
And she’s right – happiness exists, even amidst complexity.
From The Vault – “Ronan”: Your Song for Grief and Remembrance
“Ronan” is a song I’ve listened to sparingly due to its profound sadness.
It’s a raw, unflinching portrayal of grief, of remembering someone lost. It doesn’t soften the edges of loss.
“Ronan” from The Vault is undeniably the song for grief.
Taylor Swift penned this song after discovering Rockstar Ronan, Maya Thompson’s blog documenting her 3-year-old son’s battle with cancer.
Using blog excerpts as lyrics, Taylor credited Maya as a songwriter, donating all proceeds to cancer charities.
Grief is a personal journey without right or wrong paths.
In “Ronan,” Taylor does the most powerful thing possible when someone is gone: she remembers them.
Remembering processes emotions.
It helps understand how loss reshapes life.
Remembering honors the loved one and keeps their memory alive.
And remembering is an expression of enduring love.
Even writing this evokes tears.
If you need to access suppressed emotions and allow yourself to cry, “Ronan” is that song.
If you found this exploration helpful, consider reading about Taylor Swift songs that teach us how to navigate our feelings.
If you enjoyed this article, please like and share! And if you’re in New York and seeking therapy, explore my services pages to see if we might be a good fit.
What Taylor Swift song has been most healing for you? Share in the comments below!
