Taylor Swift, the name synonymous with storytelling through music, possesses an extraordinary gift: the ability to articulate our deepest, often unspoken, emotions. As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Midnights, there’s no better time to delve into Taylor’s extensive discography and explore the songs that resonate with healing.
Many of us feel an undeniable connection to Taylor’s music because she has a remarkable way of making us feel seen. Whatever life throws your way, it’s highly probable that Taylor has penned a song that speaks directly to your experience, offering a sense of understanding and catharsis.
Upon closer examination of each of her albums, it becomes clear that Taylor’s songwriting is rich with therapeutic insights, metaphorical expressions, and valuable life lessons. It’s like navigating a guided therapy session through melodies and lyrics.
After careful consideration and reflection, I’ve curated a list of what I believe are the top 10 most healing Taylor Swift songs. This selection includes one song from each of her main albums and one from the Vault, creating a comprehensive collection of sonic solace.
Before we dive in, it’s essential to remember that this list is a subjective interpretation. The most healing Taylor Swift songs for you are ultimately the ones that resonate most deeply with your personal journey. Trusting your own intuition and discovering what provides you comfort is a crucial part of healing.
These are my personal opinions and interpretations, drawing from my perspective as a content creator at payoffsong.com and a keen observer of emotional narratives in music. Art, in its essence, is open to individual experience and interpretation. You have the power to shape its meaning to fit your own needs.
My aim here is to blend a deep appreciation for Taylor Swift’s artistry with an exploration of the healing themes woven throughout her music.
Important Note: The songs below are presented chronologically by album and are not ranked in order of healing power. However, I will reveal which song I consider to be the most profoundly healing – keep reading to discover my top pick!
The Most Healing Taylor Swift Song From Each Album
Taylor Swift – “A Place In This World”
It’s a common misconception to believe that happiness is a destination reached only when everything is perfectly aligned. We often think, “Once I achieve this goal,” or “Once I figure everything out,” then I will finally be content.
However, the reality is that life is an ongoing journey of self-discovery. Many of us spend our entire lives navigating the complexities of identity, purpose, and direction. And, as we all know, life rarely unfolds exactly as planned.
This is why “A Place In This World” stands out as the most healing song from Taylor Swift’s debut album.
This song is an anthem for embracing the journey itself, rather than fixating solely on the destination. It serves as a comforting reassurance during moments of feeling lost and uncertain. It’s a gentle reminder that you don’t need a detailed roadmap for the future; simply “just walkin'” is perfectly enough.
The lyrics of “A Place In This World” offer a sense of grounding and acceptance. Let’s explore a few key lines:
“Tomorrow’s just a mystery, oh yeah, but that’s okay” – This line beautifully encapsulates the inherent uncertainty of life. It’s an invitation to embrace the unknown and trust in your ability to navigate whatever comes your way. Believing in your own resilience is key to finding peace amidst uncertainty.
“I’m alone, on my own, and that’s all I know” – This lyric, while seemingly solitary, is actually empowering. It underscores the fundamental truth that you always have yourself to rely on, regardless of external circumstances. This self-reliance is a cornerstone of inner strength.
“I’ll be strong, I’ll be wrong, oh but life goes on” – This line is a powerful affirmation of courage, humility, and acceptance. It acknowledges that life is a process of learning and growth, where both strength and mistakes are inevitable parts of the journey. Life’s continuous flow is a constant, offering chances for renewal.
And perhaps the most uplifting line: “got the sunshine, could you tell me what more do I need?”
This lyric is a beautiful ode to gratitude. When feelings of being lost or hopeless creep in, turning to the natural world, to the simple gifts around us, can be a potent way to reconnect with gratitude. Sunshine, in its simplicity, becomes a metaphor for the essential goodness that still exists, even in darker times.
Fearless – “Change”
If you’ve ever weathered a storm in your life, a period where everything seemed to unravel, and you feared it might last indefinitely, then “Change” is your sonic companion.
The very title of this song radiates healing energy.
Healing, at its core, is often about transformation, about experiencing change. This is why many embark on therapeutic journeys – seeking to alter aspects of their lives that no longer serve them.
Life situations are not static; they are subject to change. Your emotional landscape is also dynamic and capable of transformation. Your reactions, perspectives, and even your sense of self can evolve. Who you are is not fixed and is capable of change.
“Change” is the chosen healing anthem from Fearless.
When you find yourself in a dark place, clinging to the hope that “these things will change” is paramount to your healing process. Hope is not just wishful thinking; it’s an active force that propels you forward.
Let’s be honest, however. Life sometimes presents us with situations beyond our control. Unforeseen events occur that we cannot alter.
In such instances, when external change is unattainable, the focus shifts to internal transformation. You can always work on changing your inner landscape. Sometimes, this internal shift involves moving away from resistance and towards acceptance. Acceptance isn’t passive resignation; it’s an active choice to find peace with what is, freeing up energy for growth and resilience.
The lyric “we sing Hallelujah” deserves a closer look. Even if you don’t identify with religious faith, “Hallelujah” can serve as a powerful reminder of being part of something larger than yourself. It speaks to the interconnectedness of humanity, the sense of shared experience that binds us together.
“Hallelujah” transcends religious context; it’s an expression of hope, faith, and gratitude for the promise of good things to come. It’s an affirmation of resilience and the belief in a brighter future.
Thank you, Taylor, for reminding us to keep the faith, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Speak Now – “Innocent”
This song may or may not allude to the infamous moment when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift at the VMAs. The beauty of art is that its meaning can transcend its origin.
Regardless of its specific inspiration, “Innocent” is the chosen song from Speak Now for its surprising depth and profound lessons on healing.
Taylor Swift begins by envisioning the person who caused her pain as a child – a being of pure innocence, chasing fireflies, seeking comfort in a parent’s bed, and needing help to reach for things just out of grasp. She imagines this individual growing up with an open, trusting view of the world – before “monsters caught up” to them.
Childhood experiences, and how we interpret those events, can profoundly shape our adult behavior. Sometimes, we are unaware of the subconscious barriers we construct, and how these barriers can negatively affect our relationships. Understanding the roots of behavior, even when it has caused us harm, can be a powerful step towards healing.
If someone has hurt you, forgiveness is not mandatory. You are not obligated to condone or accept harmful behavior.
You may not be ready for forgiveness, and that is perfectly acceptable. Healing is not linear; it’s a process with its own timeline.
However, know that one day, it might be possible to consider that person as the innocent child they once were, or even a vulnerable infant.
Reflecting on their potential past experiences can foster a deeper understanding of why they might act the way they do. It may even spark a sense of compassion for their journey. Compassion does not excuse harmful actions, but it can soften the edges of anger and resentment, freeing you from their emotional grip.
Ultimately, broadening your narrative of their situation can help release some of the anger or disgust you may be holding onto. This release is not for them, but for your own inner peace.
Furthermore, “Innocent” offers a powerful opportunity for inner child healing work, especially when you direct the lyrics inward, towards yourself.
We all make mistakes. Our responses to our own mistakes are often modeled by our parents or caregivers.
If self-forgiveness or self-acceptance feels challenging, it might stem from a lack of early modeling in these crucial skills.
But the empowering news is that you can begin to let go of self-criticism and heal by learning to speak to yourself with loving kindness and compassion now. This is precisely what “Innocent” encourages with lines like:
“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.”
Hearing these affirmations can help you cultivate more positive self-talk when you’ve made a mistake, ultimately aiding in “re-parenting” yourself with compassion and understanding.
Now that is a profound act of healing.
Red – “Begin Again”
Full transparency – the chosen song from Red is, on the surface, about finding love again. Yes, it can be healing because it reminds us that endings pave the way for new beginnings. Closure of one chapter allows for the exciting potential of a new one.
Indeed, “Begin Again” is the selected healing song from Red.
But there’s more depth to explore.
I want to share a personal technique I use when listening to songs about “romantic love” that don’t immediately resonate in my current context. The key is to get creative and expand the song’s subject matter.
One of the most transformative reframes you can apply to a love song is to direct it towards yourself (mind-blowing, right?).
When I listen to “Begin Again,” I feel hope blossoming as I imagine going on a date. I picture being treated with respect and kindness. I envision experiencing genuine connection and simply enjoying the present moment.
Why not apply this same imagery to your relationship with yourself? Cultivate hope and inspiration by taking yourself on a date. Treat yourself with kindness and respect. Foster a beautiful connection with your inner being. And learn to savor your own company (!!!).
Remember, “it” from the line “on a Wednesday, in a cafe, I watched it begin again” can symbolize anything you desire it to be. “It” is fluid, adaptable to your personal needs.
If “it” isn’t romantic love right now, “it” can still represent those qualities you seek in a partner: genuine interest in your life, deep compassion and understanding, and yes, even love. But in this context, you become the source of these gifts for yourself.
Don’t forget that every day, every moment, is a fresh opportunity to begin again. The power of renewal is always accessible.
And if you’re disappointed that All Too Well wasn’t chosen for this album, fear not. I’ve got you covered. I’ve actually dedicated an entire piece to how All Too Well can aid in processing and moving forward after a breakup. Check it out here. (This link is for illustrative purposes, as per instructions to maintain original links if provided).
1989 – “Clean”
Creating space to acknowledge and feel your authentic emotions is a fundamental aspect of healing. Emotional honesty is the gateway to processing and growth.
When you allow yourself to fully experience your feelings, you can begin to examine them, understand their origins, and ultimately cleanse yourself of any thoughts, beliefs, or situations that are no longer serving your well-being.
This is why “Clean” is highlighted as the most healing song from 1989.
“Clean” is a song of multifaceted healing, open to various interpretations. It can be about breaking free from addiction and substance use, cleansing oneself of toxic dependencies.
It resonates with healing from a breakup, washing away the emotional residue of a past relationship and reclaiming your sense of self.
It can also represent healing from traumatic experiences, striving to feel whole and “clean” again after emotional injury.
But if there’s a unifying thread woven through the lyrics of “Clean,” it’s the profound healing power of tears.
When I hear “rain came pouring down,” I envision tears streaming down someone’s face. The image is vivid and cathartic.
And the line “when I was drowning, that’s when I could finally breathe,” evokes the paradox of surrender. It speaks to the necessity of immersing yourself in your emotions, even the painful ones, in order to truly release them. Suppression only prolongs the emotional burden.
Did you know that crying actually releases oxytocin and endorphins – natural chemicals that act as pain relievers! (Link maintained for factual integrity, as in original).
So, consider this an invitation. If you’re feeling sadness, anger, frustration, or a mix of everything, allow yourself the time and space to cry.
Crying is not a sign of weakness, nor is it something to be ashamed of. It’s a healthy, natural human response. It can be a powerful cathartic release, a way to cleanse your heart, mind, and soul.
Reputation – “Call It What You Want”
Experiencing loss or failure often triggers not just disappointment, but also feelings of embarrassment and shame. These feelings are often amplified by the fear of judgment, the worry about what others will think.
The chosen song from Reputation is an anthem of acknowledging vulnerability. It’s a song that embraces the experience of failure.
But it’s equally a song about shifting focus to the positive aspects of your life, actively seeking out and appreciating the good.
It’s about finding a source of comfort and solace when you need it most, a refuge in challenging times.
And, importantly, it’s about recognizing your inherent worth, irrespective of external opinions or judgments. Self-worth is an internal compass, not dictated by external validation.
This is why “Call It What You Want” is selected as the most healing song from Reputation.
While the song is ostensibly about finding solace in romantic love, having a partner who “built a fire just to keep you warm” and provides unwavering support is undeniably therapeutic.
However, if you are not currently in a romantic partnership, you can still extract profound healing from “Call It What You Want” by directing the lyrics towards any source of comfort in your life. This could be a pet, a supportive friend, a cherished hobby, or even your own inner strength.
Even better, as suggested before, transform this song into a self-love anthem. Affirm to 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. You possess the inner resources to nurture and comfort yourself.
Becoming a source of comfort and light in your own life? Call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to, but I would call it profound healing.
Lover – “Daylight”
We have arrived at what, for me, is the pinnacle – the song that claims the #1 spot as the most healing Taylor Swift song of all time.
And that song is “Daylight.” Its power lies in its narrative arc: a musical retelling of the experience of a Dark Night Of The Soul and the subsequent, radiant emergence from it.
A Dark Night Of The Soul is precisely what it sounds like – an intensely challenging, emotionally agonizing period in life. It’s a time when your foundational beliefs about yourself and your life’s trajectory seem to crumble. Everything you once held as certain is thrown into question.
Navigating this period is incredibly difficult. It’s marked by feelings of deep depression, potential physical symptoms, and a pervasive sense of being out of control.
You are, in essence, forced to deconstruct your entire belief system. This dismantling process, while painful, is essential for profound transformation.
However, if you can learn to surrender to the experience, to accept it in some form, and to open yourself to finding meaning within it, the Dark Night can become an unparalleled catalyst for growth and healing.
Let’s briefly revisit the iconic lyric from Look What You Made Me Do:
“I’m sorry, but the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh! Cause she’s dead.”
This line is compelling evidence that Taylor Swift herself has navigated some form of Dark Night Of The Soul. It’s a metaphor for profound personal transformation.
Because this is precisely what happens during such a period. An old version of yourself, the ego-driven self, begins to dissolve. Your identity shifts. And this process is emotionally and mentally exhausting.
But as that old self fades, the ego’s grip loosens, making space for something new to emerge. You can then find your way back to Your Self, your authentic core. A more genuine, radiant version of you – Your True Self.
“Daylight” is the chosen song from Lover (and from all of Taylor Swift’s songs) as the most profoundly healing.
I personally experienced my own Dark Night Of The Soul. It lasted approximately two years, and I can confidently say that I am no longer the person I once was. Navigating that darkness compelled me to evolve into who I am today. It was undeniably challenging, but ultimately necessary, and I am deeply grateful for the meaning I have derived from that transformative experience.
Many lyrics in “Daylight” eloquently capture the essence of such deep transformation:
“Been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night, and now I see daylight” – This line speaks to the emergence from that dark period, the gradual return of light – joy, hope, and the appreciation of life’s positive moments. It’s the awakening after a long slumber.
I interpret “I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I saw you,” as glimpsing Your True Self – that luminous, love-filled essence within. Once you connect with this authentic part of yourself, your perspective irrevocably shifts.
And, of course, the closing lines are powerfully transformative: “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.”
Talk about a profound reframe! If this message isn’t healing, then what is? It’s an invitation to redefine yourself not by your fears or traumas, but by the love that resides within you and the love you extend to the world.
Folklore – “This Is Me Trying”
To be honest, the therapeutic depth of “This Is Me Trying” didn’t fully resonate until I watched The Long Pond Studio Sessions documentary and heard Taylor Swift explain its meaning. (Link maintained as in original).
But once she illuminated the song’s intention, it became clear: WOW. This song is like a condensed therapy session in musical form. It even includes a direct reference to therapy with the line “pouring out my heart to a stranger, but I didn’t pour the whiskey.”
Therefore, “This Is Me Trying” is the chosen song from Folklore.
The central theme of this song is crucial for personal healing and for supporting others on their own healing journeys.
It validates the fundamental truth that you are likely doing the best you can with the resources and understanding you possess in any given moment. Even when external appearances suggest minimal effort, or when you yourself feel inadequate, the underlying reality is often that you are trying.
So, if you’re battling depression and managing to get out of bed for just five minutes to shower, acknowledge that you are trying. That small act is a victory in itself.
Or if you’ve sent out countless job applications and haven’t yet secured an interview, recognize that you are still trying. Persistence is a testament to your effort.
Sometimes, despite sincere effort, desired outcomes remain elusive. “This Is Me Trying” poignantly validates the feelings of hopelessness that can arise when trying doesn’t yield immediate results.
It reminds us that there are no easy fixes or quick solutions to deep-seated challenges. And that simply holding space for someone struggling, offering empathetic presence, creates connection, which itself is a form of healing.
Evermore – “Happiness”
Holding space for contradictory emotions is a complex yet vital skill on the healing path. It requires embracing the nuances of human experience, where joy and sorrow can coexist.
Listening closely to “Happiness,” the chosen song from Evermore, you might experience the push and pull of simultaneously holding conflicting thoughts and emotions.
There’s a delicate sense of peace interwoven with profound 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.” This juxtaposes clarity and perspective with the lingering pain of loss.
There’s a yearning to hold on, intertwined with the necessity of letting go:
“I would have loved you for a lifetime, leave it all behind.” This captures the bittersweet reality of endings, the simultaneous presence of enduring love and the acceptance of separation.
And, you are reminded to be honest about your present feelings, while also acknowledging that emotions are fluid and subject to change over time:
“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.” This speaks to the process of personal evolution, where forgiveness is not always immediate but can emerge as part of growth.
That’s right. “Happiness” is chosen as the most healing Taylor Swift song from Evermore.
And if this song achieves anything, it expands our perception of happiness, illustrating its multifaceted nature:
“There’ll be happiness after you. There was happiness because of you. Both of these things can be true. There is happiness.”
And she is right – there is happiness, in its various forms, coexisting with grief, memory, and change.
From The Vault – “Ronan”
I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve actually listened to “Ronan,” and that’s because it is profoundly heartbreaking.
This is a song about grief in its rawest form. It’s a song about cherishing the memory of someone who is no longer present. And it unflinchingly portrays the pain of loss, without sugarcoating the experience.
The chosen song from The Vault, is undeniably, “Ronan”.
For those unfamiliar, Taylor Swift penned “Ronan” after encountering Rockstar Ronan, a blog created by Maya Thompson, chronicling her three-year-old son’s battle with cancer.
Taylor Swift adapted excerpts from Maya’s blog, transforming them into lyrics and crediting Maya Thompson as a co-writer. All proceeds from the song were donated to cancer charities.
Before delving deeper, it’s crucial to understand that when navigating grief, there is no prescribed “right” or “wrong” way to heal or move through it. Grief is a deeply personal and unique journey.
However, what Taylor Swift masterfully captures in “Ronan” is the essential element of remembrance. When someone has passed away, remembering them is often the most meaningful action within our control.
Remembering helps you to process the complex tapestry of emotions associated with loss.
It facilitates understanding how the loss has reshaped your life, your perspectives, and your future.
Remembering is a sacred act of honoring your loved one, keeping their memory alive within your heart.
And remembering is a powerful expression of the enduring love that still resides within you.
I must admit, I am becoming teary-eyed as I write this. “Ronan” has that effect – it opens the floodgates of emotion.
But if you are seeking to access suppressed emotions, to allow yourself to grieve fully and have a cathartic cry, “Ronan” is an incredibly poignant song to turn to.
If you found this exploration insightful, be sure to check out my other article on Taylor Swift songs that teach us how to navigate our feelings. (Link maintained as in original).
If this article resonated with you, please feel free to like and share it below! And if you happen to be in New York and are seeking therapeutic support, explore my services pages to see if we might be a good fit. (Link maintained as in original).
And please, share your thoughts in the comments – what Taylor Swift song has been the most healing for you? Your personal experiences enrich the conversation and create a supportive community.
