Midnights, released on October 21st, 2022, was Taylor Swift tenth studio album and featured 20 songs (not including the exclusive Hits Different). After listening on and off for the past five months, I am finally ready to try and rank all 20 songs. Even though the ranking is only based in my own opinion, I still found the process very difficult. Honestly, it’s because Taylor’s a queen, and she can put out just about anything and I’d like it.
20. Vigilante Shit
While he was doing lines / and crossing all of mine
I don’t mind the edgy message of this song, and the backing melody actually hits pretty hard when I’m in my car (mostly because of the bass). I’m ranking this last because it’s not the easiest listen. I have a hard time looping this one on repeat.
19. Bigger Than The Whole Sky
Did some force take you because I didn’t pray?
This one is really sad. Like, really sad. I don’t know if I was ever this sad — and I hope I’ll never be. I’m ranking it here because it’s not super relatable… and I hope to keep it this way.
18. Glitch
I thought we had no chance / And that’s romance
The lyrics in this one is pretty good (Maybe with the exception of the glitch / stitch rhyme). The melody and backing instruments aren’t my favorite. At certain parts, the guitar starts to sound like the all-too-superior song All Too Well and only makes me want to listen to that instead.
17. Question…?
Fucking politics and gender roles / And you’re not sure and I don’t know
The lyrics during the verses are so good. If it weren’t for the chorus, I would’ve ranked this a lot higher. I’m just not a huge fan of all the posed questions during the chorus. I find them too specific and a little difficult to relate to. Some of them are also a little untasteful, but I get it, maybe that’s the whole point of the song: asking things you are too afraid to ask in person.
16. Bejeweled
But some guy said my aura’s moonstone / Just ’cause he was high
The opening beat to this song is the best part. When she says “Baby love, I think I’ve been a little too kind”, the execution and melody is perfect. The only reason I’m ranking this song here is because some of the metaphors are a little cheesy: “Don’t put me in the basement when I want the penthouse of his heart” or “You can try to change my mind but you might have to wait in line”.
15. Labyrinth
Oh no, I’m falling in love again
This one is surprisingly addicting. When she repeats the part about falling in love again… it works so well. You really feel the nervousness, the anxiety, but also the relief of falling in love once more. I wish the parts about elevators and planes were different (I know, a very small detail), since they feel jarring against an otherwise very open ended song. I could see why this song can be considered boring though.
14. You’re On You Own, Kid
So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
The lyrics of this song progressively get better. In the beginning, the rhymes and word choice are a little childish. Maybe that’s the point of the song though. Maybe Taylor is trying to describe lyrically what it feels like to grow up and to realize that you can’t depend on anyone but yourself. The bridge is a lot more sophisticated and makes up for some of the earlier verses.
13. Mastermind
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
This song has a story-telling quality to it. She walks you through her schemes and eventually the confession of her schemes. The first time I heard it, I thought the whole thing was so clever. However, after multiple listens, the song lost a lot of its original charm. Maybe it’s the fact that I know the “plot twist” in the bridge. Even though this song has lost its replay-ability, I can still appreciate it when it comes on.
12. Paris
Confess my truth in swooping, sloping, cursive letters
This is also a grower. On first listen, it sounded cheesy. But after a few listens, I became pleasantly fond of how happy and upbeat the song sounded. This song does lack the complexity that the top half of this album has, so I ranked it just below average.
11. Sweet Nothing
And the voices that implore / “You should be doing more”
I have a soft spot for this song because I can relate to the feeling she is trying to capture. Maybe my homebody-ness is what makes me like this one so much. The lyrics about all the chaos outside and the safe haven of home made this song more replay-able. This one definitely grew on me.
10. Anti-Hero
Midnights become my afternoons
Smack in the middle of the tierlist we have Taylor’s choice for the promoted single of this album. The message is great, but sometimes I’m not sure why Taylor decided to pick this one. The lyrics are agreeable, the melody is nice, but there are some other gems. Nonetheless, I think this song is a good baseline. I’m not the biggest fan of the word “Anti-Hero”, but that’s just a small thing…
9. High Infidelity
There’s many different ways you can kill the one you love / The slowest way is never loving them enough
Another grower. I thought a song about infidelity would be more sad or mysterious. Raunchy or dark, perhaps? Weirdly enough, this one is very happy… and I’ve come to appreciate it! It’s more complex than Paris since there’s hints of sadness and loneliness.
8. Karma
Spiderboy, king of thieves / Weave your little webs of opacity
This one might be the most controversial one. I like everything about this song except for the chorus. The lyrics “Karma is my boyfriend, Karma is a God” are a little cheesy (nonetheless memorable) in my opinion. There are so many songs on this album that have good bridges and verses, so as the competition gets stiffer, I’ll have to leave this one here.
7. Maroon
Carnations you had thought were roses, that’s us
This is the moodiest song, in my opinion, on the album. There’s something darker about the instrumentals in this one. The imagery is quite beautiful. The overall lyrics and execution is way more nuanced and complex than its cousin, Red. You can tell in this song that Taylor’s songwriting skills have aged like fine wine — which also happens to be Maroon!
6. Snow On The Beach
You wanting me tonight, feels impossible
This one is definitely the most unique-sounding song of the album. Listening to the instrumentals reminds me of Christmas. The overall vibe is magical, enchanting, and whimsical. Every time I listen to this, I feel both happy and dreamy. I do wish Lana could’ve sang more, but it’s a great listen already.
5. Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
Living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts
Wow, this song definitely would’ve been on the Speak Now album… directly following Dear John. I mean the lyrics and instrumentals are just so raw. This was the Taylor Swift I listened to when I was an angsty teenager. I love that because she wrote this as an adult looking back, there’s so much more anger — no shame, no sadness, no longing — just pure regret and anger.
4. Lavender Haze
Meet me at midnight
Ah yes, the first song of Midnights. Best of all, the first line to the first song: “Meet me at midnight”. How iconic is that. The beat to this one is pretty infectious, especially the part that goes “I’ve been under scrutiny / you handled it beautifully”. This would come pretty close to being my favorite had the chorus not sounded so similar to I Think He Knows.
3. The Great War
I drew curtains closed / Drank my poison all alone
Every single line in this song is quotable. Like how? The metaphor about love being a great war — I really thought this whole thing was going to be cheesy, but I was so glad to be proven wrong. The rhymes in this song are also insane: “closed / alone”, “crypt / did”, “haze / betrayed”. These soft rhymes don’t even seem to work until you hear Taylor sing it. Truly brilliant.
2. Dear Reader
So I wander through these nights / I prefer hiding in plain sight
The whole song feels like it’s building towards the bridge, but it’s so worth it. The way the melody picks up. The lyrics. It almost mimics a real book — you’ve reached the climax, and every page leading up to this point was worth it (also super cool that it’s the last song of the album too!). The bridge aside, the rest of the verses have some amazing lyrics and some pretty damn good advice. This is an example of metaphors done right (unlike… I’m looking at you, Bejeweled).
1. Midnight Rain
I guess sometimes we all get / Some kind of haunted
This song is… I want to drown in this song. I want to go deaf listening to this song. The only way it gets better is if T-Pain himself sings the distorted parts, but my god, the melody, the lyrics, the beat… everything is perfection. I love every second of this song. If I could wish for anything in the world, I would wish for Taylor to have the chorus play again once more after the bridge, but why bother? I can just replay the whole song again! The lyrics are detailed but not too specific. The chorus is catchy. The bridge references her other song Haunted. Does it get better than this?
I’m so glad Taylor surprised us with seven new songs at 3am because my top 5 consisted mostly of these bonus tracks (3 out of 5). Along with the rankings, I will also name some other categories:
Most replays: Dear Reader
Grown on me the most: High Infidelity
Love on first listen: Midnight Rain
Favorite lyrics: The Great War
Best verses: Lavender Haze
Best chorus: Midnight Rain
Best bridge: Dear Reader
… and that’s it! Till next time~
Helen's Corner 
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