Taylor Swift is one of the most powerful pop singers from the past 10 years and has had many hit songs. But with that large of a catalog, she doesn’t win every time, so what is Taylor Swift’s most unpopular song?
Taylor Swift’s most unpopular songs that failed to chart and/or failed to hit sales expectations include Better than Revenge, Gorgeous, Stay Stay Stay, Sparks Fly, Eyes Open, and Begin Again.
Although Swift’s career is loaded with many hits, unfortunately, some of her songs sound pretty awful to some critics.
According to critics, on those above-mentioned songs, the writing is less impressive, more childish, the melody sounds like somebody is whining about a failed relationship, and the choruses are tiring.
Of course, she started as a country artist before moving to both pop and then later folk. Could it be possible that crossing genres may be hurting Taylor’s creativity?
To be sure, not every song on this list is a stinker! Some are great, and overall, many consider Taylor Swift to be a great songwriter, but for some reason failed to hit. But some of them failed for good reason. So let’s review them all!
1. Better than Revenge
Taylor Swift‘s song “Better than Revenge“ was released in 2010 on her third studio album, Speak Now.
The song is one of her least popular due to its aggressive lyrics and dark tone. The song is about a girl who has been betrayed by her ex–boyfriend and is seeking revenge against the other woman.
The lyrics are quite confrontational and some listeners find them off–putting. Additionally, the song‘s production is quite different from Swift‘s usual style, which may have also contributed to its lack of popularity.
It’s also from her period when she was transitioning from so-called “country” to pop, and most fans decidedly like her one way or the other.
2. So It Goes
I really wanted this to be a cover of the fantastic Nick Lowe song when I first saw her song title.
Sadly no.
So It Goes, released in 2017 on Taylor Swift’s album Reputation, has a slower tempo and a more somber tone than many of her other hits. But not in a cool indie way like she showed us on folklore or evermore.
The lyrics are also more introspective and personal, which may not have resonated with some of her fans.
But for some, So It Goes is an underrated gem that deserves more recognition.
3. Stay Stay Stay
Taylor Swift‘s song “Stay Stay Stay“ was released in 2012 on her album Red.
The song has a slower tempo (initially) and a more mellow sound than many of her other hits. The lyrics are about wanting to stay in a relationship despite the difficulties, and the song has an overall bittersweet feeling.
The heavy mandolin sound leans towards her country roots, but the song is firmly in pop territory, and kind of saccharinely sweet-sounding at that.
While it may not be as catchy as some of her other songs, it still conveys an important message about relationships and staying true to yourself.
4. Tied Together with a Smile
Tied Together with a Smile, released in 2006 on Taylor Swift‘s self–titled debut album, is often overlooked by fans. But really, that whole album largely gets forgotten in the wake of the rest of her catalog.
Despite its heartfelt lyrics and catchy melody, the song has not achieved the same level of recognition as some of her other hits.
The song‘s message of resilience in the face of adversity is one that resonates with many listeners, yet it remains relatively unknown. Its simple production and lack of a big chorus may be why it has not become as popular as some of her other songs.
Despite this, Tied Together with a Smile is an important part of Taylor Swift‘s discography and deserves to be appreciated for its meaningful lyrics and timeless sound.
5. End Game (feat. Ed Sheeran and Future)
End Game, released in 2017 as part of Taylor Swift‘s album Reputation, is a song that has not received the same level of attention as some of her other hits.
Despite featuring two popular artists, Ed Sheeran, and Future, the track failed to impact the charts and has been largely overlooked by music critics. The highest chart position was #13 on the Billboard Adult Top 40.
The song‘s unique blend of pop, rap, and R&B elements may have been too experimental for some fans, while its slower tempo and lack of a catchy chorus may have prevented it from becoming a mainstream hit.
And the Cher-like use of autotune on the rap parts borders on annoying.
But Taylor’s strength is her sense of melody and storytelling style of songwriting, and that is largely lacking here.
6. Eyes Open
Taylor Swift‘s song “Eyes Open“ from the Hunger Games soundtrack is often overlooked.
Released in 2012, the song was featured on the album The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond. Despite its placement on a popular movie soundtrack, the song failed to make an impact on the charts and has been largely ignored by music critics.
While it may not be one of her most successful or critically acclaimed songs, it still has a unique sound that stands out from her other work (her album Red was released around the same time. By comparison, this song clearly has a live band sound with little to no drum machines or synthesizers, and a more organic production sound.
With its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo, “Eyes Open“ is a fun and uplifting track that deserves more recognition.
7. Begin Again
Taylor Swift‘s 2012 single “Begin Again“ from her fourth studio album Red, is often overlooked by fans and critics alike.
Despite its catchy chorus, the song failed to make a significant impact on the charts. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. And the song is firmly more in her pop-country roots than her later pop sound, featuring mostly acoustic guitar, accordion, and steel guitar.
Music critics have also been largely unimpressed with the track, citing its lack of originality and overly–simplistic lyrics.
Despite this, “Begin Again“ remains an enjoyable listen for many Taylor Swift fans, who appreciate its uplifting message of hope and resilience.
8. Mary’s Song (Oh My My My)
Taylor Swift‘s Mary‘s Song (Oh My My My) is a heartfelt ballad from her 2006 album, “Taylor Swift“.
The song is a reflection on the passing of time and the bittersweet memories of growing up. Despite its emotional lyrics and beautiful melody, the song has not been as successful as some of her other songs and was not selected as a single from that album.
It was largely overlooked by music critics.
While it may not be one of her most popular songs, it still stands out as a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing life‘s moments.
9. Starlight
Taylor Swift‘s 2012 song “Starlight“ from her album Red is often overlooked by fans and critics alike.
Despite its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, the song failed to make an impact with fans or critics and was not one of the 7 singles picked from the album.
Music critics have also been largely unimpressed with the track, citing its lack of lyrical depth and generic production.
Largely overshadowed by the huge hits off the album “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “Starlight” sits in the more awkward territory of not quite being pop and not quite being country.
10. Gorgeous
Gorgeous, released in 2017 on Taylor Swift‘s album Reputation, is a song that has not received the same level of attention as some of her other hits.
Despite its upbeat tempo, the song failed to significantly impact the charts (the highest position was #13) and has been largely overlooked by fans.
Music critics have also been less than enthusiastic about the track, citing its lack of originality and repetitive lyrics. Musically, the song is kind of generic electro-pop mostly featuring Taylor’s vocals, a drum machine, and a little bit of percolating synths.
But the song has virtually no depth, nor is the chorus as catchy as many of her other hits.
11. Santa Baby
Taylor Swift‘s version of Santa Baby, released in 2007 on her album The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection, is often overlooked by fans and critics alike.
It has been largely overshadowed by other holiday classics from the same album such as Last Christmas and Silent Night.
But to be fair, in 2007, Taylor was 18, so how good were any of us at that age?
Music critics have also been unimpressed with her version of the song, citing its lack of originality and over–reliance on traditional holiday themes. And it pales in comparison to the original version by Eartha Kitt from 1953 (heavy kitsch) or Gwen Stefani’s version (very sultry).
12. Sparks Fly
Sparks Fly, released in 2010 on Taylor Swift‘s third studio album Speak Now, is a song that has not received the same level of attention as some of her other hits.
Despite its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo, the song failed to make an impact on the pop charts (peaking at #17) and has been largely overlooked by fans and critics. It did, however, reach #1 on the country charts.
The song itself is good, but being on the same album with “Mine”, “Dear John“, “Mean”, and “Back to December”, it’s easy to hear why it was overshadowed.
But while it may not be one of her most popular songs, Sparks Fly still stands out as a unique track with its memorable lyrics and infectious melody.
13. Macavity (from Cats soundtrack)
Cats, of course, is a hugely popular musical created in 1981 by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on stories from T.S. Elliot. In 2019, it was turned into a movie, and Taylor contributes her version to the soundtrack.
Now if I was watching this live on stage, it would be great.
But just listening to it on Spotify, it comes off as contrived as she vacillates between an American and English accent and the overblown arrangements.