The Best Taylor Swift Songs for When You Need to Cry It Out | The Swift List

It’s time for another instalment of The Swift List! This is my series where I celebrate the very best Taylor Swift songs for different situations. Believe me, there’s something for all occasions among her impressive musical catalogue. Taylor has a pretty hefty chunk of songs under her belt that are PERFECT for when you need to curl into a ball and cry into your pillow. I’ll admit, a number of these songs fit most people’s (bloody stupid) view that she only writes songs about break-ups, however, any Swiftie will tell you that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

So, getting to the point of today’s post – sometimes, we all have days where we need to curl up, stick on some sad music and cry it out. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying there’s a whole array of Taylor Swift songs at your disposal that are perfect for when you need to just have a bit of a wallow. Today I’m sharing 15 of my favourites for this particular scenario – some are because the musical set up is the perfect accompaniment to a crappy mood, others are because I relate to the lyrics.

The Swift List – The Best Taylor Swift Songs For When You Need to Cry It Out

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Red (Taylor’s Version))
Exile (feat. Bon Iver) (Folklore)
Evermore (feat. Bon Iver) (Evermore)
Marjorie (Evermore)
Soon You’ll Get Better (feat. The Chicks) (Lover)
Epiphany (Folklore)
Champagne Problems (Evermore)
The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody) (Red (Taylor’s Version))
White Horse (Fearless (Taylor’s Version))
Breathe (feat. Colbie Callait) (Fearless (Taylor’s Version))
My Tears Ricochet (Folklore)
Last Kiss (Speak Now)
Wildest Dreams (1989)
Illicit Affairs (Folklore)
Coney Island (feat. The National) (Evermore)

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (From the Vault) (Red (Taylor’s Version))

There’s no denying that the 2012 edition of All Too Well cut deep, but after the release of Red (Taylor’s Version) (I’m currently writing this post the day after it dropped), it cut even deeper. Despite being happily married, I feel every single goddamn lyric, and I have so much respect for Taylor for turning what was clearly intense AF heartbreak into this absolute masterpiece.

Exile (feat. Bon Iver) (Folklore)

I’m obsessed with this song. The melody, the vocals, the lyrics, and that incredible build in intensity resulting in an emotional gut-punch of a bridge – “SO STEP RIGHT OUT THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF CRYING I CAN DO FOR YOU..” – actual chills.

Evermore (feat. Bon Iver) (Evermore)

I think we can all agree that the Bon Iver collabs on Folklore and Evermore are pure perfection, and as someone who’s gone through dark periods (as I’m sure many of us have), this song captures the feelings of hopelessness and desperation that come with depression, but at the end, you get this glimmer of hope, reminding you that your pain isn’t permanent. It’s one of my go-to songs when I’m feeling down.

Marjorie (Evermore)

I think this song is going to be up there as a tearjerker for anyone who has ever lost someone. Marjorie is Taylor paying a beautiful tribute to her late grandmother, reflecting on the advice she gave her along with memories of her. In recent months, the song has hit a lot harder than when I initially heard it – my Mum and I recently said goodbye to someone incredibly dear to us and who was a huge part of our lives, and this song came on as I was driving home from his funeral. It reminded me of the fond memories from my childhood with him, and despite not having seen him for a few years prior to his passing, the song cemented the fact that I will always have those memories of him. As Taylor puts it, “What died didn’t stay dead, you’re alive, you’re alive in my head.”

Soon You’ll Get Better (feat. The Chicks) (Lover)

I’ve talked about why this song is so emotional for me in an earlier post, but even if you don’t relate to the song on a personal level, the fact it’s about Taylor’s parents’ both facing cancer makes it hard to not get a bit teary.

Epiphany (Folklore)

If you don’t even feel the tiniest bit emotional after hearing this song, you’re dead inside. Written in 2020 around the Coronavirus pandemic and drawing parallels with her grandfather fighting in WW2, Epiphany is completely and utterly heartbreaking.

Champagne Problems (Evermore)

Love her or hate her (if you hate her, why are you even here bbz?), you have to admit that Taylor has this incredible knack for storytelling, and Champagne Problems is full-on proof. I have no idea why it gets me in the feels so much, but it’s probably something to do with the line “she would have made such a lovely bride, what a shame she’s fucked in the head…”

The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody) (Red (Taylor’s Version))

This is one of my favourite songs on the Red album, and that instrumental section after the second chorus followed by the bridge “THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU TELL ME I’VE GOT IT WRONG…” is just all the feels.

White Horse (Fearless (Taylor’s Version))

I always remember 17 year old me listening to this on repeat after Liam and I had an argument. Still do, not gonna lie. 

Breathe (feat. Colbie Callait) (Fearless (Taylor’s Version))

Breathe is one of those songs that gets me reflecting on friendships that have grown apart, bringing with it a big ol’ hit of nostalgia and melancholy. 

My Tears Ricochet (Folklore)

Described by Taylor herself as the saddest song on the Folklore album, My Tears Ricochet is the perfect song for anyone who has ever had their trust betrayed. It’s got it all – haunting vocals, funeral symbolism, and another bridge that’s just intense AF.

Last Kiss (Speak Now)

A sad enough song initially, but when I read that someone related to it following the death of a loved one, it felt even more emotional.

Wildest Dreams (1989)

Another one to belt out while clutching your glass of wine while you’ve got mascara streaming down your face. Just me?

Illicit Affairs (Folklore)

One of the things we all love about Folklore is the ‘love triangle’ storyline between James, Betty and Augustine, with each character having a song that tells their side of the story – Betty’s is Cardigan, James’ is Betty, and Augustine’s is (funnily enough), August. However, you’ve also got Illicit Affairs, which delves further into James and Augustine’s affair. For me, the part that hits hard again is that goddamn bridge – “DON’T CALL ME KID, DON’T CALL ME BABY, LOOK AT THIS IDIOTIC FOOL THAT YOU MADE ME…”

Coney Island (feat. The National) (Evermore)

The song itself is about a separated couple reflecting on their memories together, but for me, what I love the most about it is the imagery, the slow and steady drum beat, and the beautiful, nostalgic and reflective feel it has.

What would make your list of Taylor Swift songs to cry it out to? Let me know in the comments!