Taylor Swift’s catalog is full of iconic singles and chart-dominating smash hits. But on either side of each “Love Story” or “Shake It Off,” there is a treasure trove of songs that failed to make it into the spotlight. Those are the ones Swifties scream-sing along to on highway drives, the ones relegated to the rear end of albums or buried as bonus tracks, holding out hope for the rest of the world to catch up to their greatness. Here are 12 underloved Taylor Swift songs to revisit–ranked, because the best secrets are saved for last.
12. “Stay Beautiful” (Taylor Swift, 2006)
Taylor spent her days penning country ballads and country boots, but treated us to this lovely ballad of a flighty crush instead. It’s free-spirited, easy-going, and just right for blaring while rolling down the window. Not her most earnest cut, but it has the ageless glamour of teen fantasies.
11. “The Lakes” (Folklore, 2020)
Secretly hidden on a bonus track, “The Lakes” is as mystical as Folklore gets. It’s yearning, with desire for art, for love, for transcendence. Gloomy and poetic, it’s experiencing a world in the fog where only beauty prevails.
10. “So High School” (The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, 2024)
On her sprawling latest release, “So High School” feels like a burst of sunshine. Nostalgic yet playful, it mixes American Pie nods with a buoyant melody. It recalls the innocence of “You Belong With Me,” but with the polish of someone who’s been shaping pop culture for nearly two decades.
9. “Dorothea” (Evermore, 2020)
Evermore is unfairly eclipsed by its older twin album, Folklore, but “Dorothea” is one of its better-kept secrets. It’s nostalgic, sentimental, and warm–a paean to friendship and homely love. Listening is like reuniting with a long-lost friend who never really went away from your heart.
8. “Invisible String” (Folklore, 2020)
For fate-romance addicts, “Invisible String” is classic Swift. It bridges the old and new in supernatural imagery and acoustic restraint. Unobtrusive but commanding, it’s one of her most sentimental love songs.
7. “Right Where You Left Me” (Evermore, 2020)
This bonus cut is so much better earned. Trapped in a second-being stuck in a corner restaurant-is all too real. It’s bittersweet, memorable, and would have been an amazing addition to Speak Now.
6. “Treacherous” (Red, 2012)
One of the risk and tragedy enthusiasts’ top picks, “Treacherous,” is pure emotional intensity. The gentle verses give way to a stunning chorus, and Taylor even admitted it’s among her personal favorites. It’s a ballad about leaping headfirst into love, aware of the pain it could cause–and not minding.
5. “Cowboy Like Me” (Evermore, 2020)
This dark Evermore song is polarizing, but to the rest of us, it’s a masterpiece. It has its brooding, Western sound, and the story of two con artists who get involved with each other, so it’s a storytelling success. Turn the lights out and just let this wash over you–it’s cinematic.
4. “Clean” (1989, 2014)
The emotional highlight of 1989, “Clean,” is a cathartic composition. With all the imagery of water, it bottlenecks the feeling of relief, finally being able to move on with life. Tightly wound, it’s more about healing one’s heart than about creating a number-one hit–something that many listeners have near their hearts.
3. “Happiness” (Evermore, 2020)
The title is a facade–this is one of Swift’s saddest songs. It answers the loss of love quietly, balancing the problem of thanks and sorrow. It’s not the hit single, however, but it stays and gets better with repeat plays.
2. “Holy Ground” (Red, 2012)
Bouncy and upbeat, “Holy Ground” is perhaps Taylor’s most joyful break-up tune. Rather than staying around sulking over hardship, it wallows in the loveliness of what has been lost. Not surprisingly, this was never a hit single.
1. “Mary’s Song (Oh My My My)” (Taylor Swift, 2006)
The song is a deserved deep cut from her debut album. Drawing on her lifelong romance, it is a love fairytale of staying up late and growing old with a person. Sentimental and rose-tinted, it proves that teenage Taylor could do storytelling magic, too.
So next time you’re curating a playlist–or just want to dig past the obvious hits–give these hidden gems a spin. They’re proof that Taylor Swift’s brilliance runs far deeper than the singles.