Taylor Swift’s Most Popular Albums

“Midnights” is Taylor Swift’s first album since the release of the LPs “folklore” and “evermore” in 2020. Considered to be a collection of contemplative songs, “Midnights” instantly went platinum when it was released in October – and 10 songs from the LP occupied the top 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 the same week, the first time that ever happened.

“Evermore” was the last album released by Swift before “Midnights.” It explores similar themes as its direct predecessor, “folklore,” released five months earlier (both came out during a particularly bleak period of the pandemic). “Evermore” builds on the previous LP’s themes of pain and love. Swift is more at ease with her moodiness on the album and her narratives are spiced with explicit language. Three singles were released from the album – “Willow,” “No Body, No Crime,” and “Coney Island” – with “Willow” debuting atop the Billboard Hot 100, giving Swift her seventh chart-topper.

“Red” was Taylor Swift’s first pop and electronic-influenced foray beyond country and it was well-received by music critics. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone said “Red [was] where [Swift] proved herself not just the supreme pop songwriter of her generation, but one of the all-timers …” She explores various musical styles in collaborations with partners that included Britney Spears and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. The album generated seven singles, four of which reached the Top 10. The single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” topped the Billboard Hot 100.

“Speak Now” came out after Kanye West tried to pre-empt Taylor Swift’s moment of glory at the 2009 VMAs. On the album, she makes references to West and ex-boyfriend Taylor Lautner and writes a “Dear John” letter to singer John Mayer. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic.com says that on “Speak Now,” Swift “writes from the perspective of the moment yet has the skill of a songwriter beyond her years, articulating contradictions and confessions with keen detail and strong melody.” Two of the album’s six singles – “Mine” and “Back to December” – reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Taylor Swift wrote the songs for “folklore” during the pandemic, teaming with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff and with Aaron Dessner, from The National, a new partner. The material is reflective of the mood during Covid-19, a bit gloomy and wistful, a departure for the pop princess. The songs reflect the maturity of Swift as a songwriter. There were 17 tracks on the album. Two of its three singles cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 – “Cardigan” and “Exile,” with the former song hitting No. 1.