The Five Taylor Swift Songs That Shaped My Youth

Nine years on and millions of fans around the world are now holding Red (Taylor’s Version) in their hands – a sheer mark of Swift’s resilience as both a person and artist.

As impossible as it is to believe, it's been nearly a decade since Taylor Swift presented the world with her masterpiece of an album, Red.

The record was a bold and triumphant glimmer into Swift’s now-signature marriage of compelling lyrics bound together by delectable pop melodies.

Nine years on and millions of fans around the world are now holding Red (Taylor’s Version) in their hands – a sheer mark of Swift’s resilience as both a person and artist.

For those who are unaware, the You Belong With Me songstress is in the midst of releasing re-recordings of her prolific back catalogue.

The move comes after the masters of Swift’s first six albums were sold by her old record label, Big Machine Record, to Ithaca Holdings, according to The Guardian.

Something which is known all too well (sorry, I had to) among my closest peers is that Swift’s music, undeniably, shaped my youth and beyond.

With Red (Taylor’s Version) leaving a legion of Swift’s die-hard fans in a daze of nostalgia, myself included, it only feels right to mark the occasion by sharing my own foray down memory lane.

Here are five of Taylor Swift’s songs that left a mark on my youth.

Change (Album: Fearless Year: 2008)

“They might be bigger but we're faster and never scared. You can walk away, say we don't need this but there's something in your eyes, says we can beat this.”

Growing up, Change was the track that screamed, “your situation is temporary” and “better times are coming.”

During my time on the education hamster-wheel, that reassurance was something that proved so incredibly invaluable.

Despite being so simple, it’s a notion that us humans often overlook.

But, because of Change, it's a feeling that has been permanently cemented in a corner of my brain - namely for those times when life truly seeks to challenge your hardiness.

Innocent (Album: Speak Now Year: 2010)

“It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me. Who you are is not where you've been, you're still an innocent.”

Innocent is widely believed to have been written about Kanye West after he interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech at the VMAs back in 2009.

More importantly than the inspiration behind the song, Innocent had an unshakable impact on me growing up.

It was a poignant reminder that you’re inevitably powerless to the actions of others but forever in control of your own.

It effortlessly sees Swift make excuse after excuse for a person that hurt her, not because of who they are but because that is who she is.

This critical life lesson (perfectly packaged into a ballad) is one I'm proud to say I've never forgotten.

Long Live (Album: Speak Now Year: 2010)

“I said, remember this feeling, I passed the pictures around. Of all the years that we stood there on the side-lines wishing for right now.”

Long Live was the goose-bump inducing cue that my self-deprecating teenage-self needed to celebrate even the smallest of wins.

It's the perfect encapsulation of that very rare feeling when you spend close to an eternity fixating on a dream, work harder than you ever knew you were capable of and cross a metaphorical warpath to eventually accomplish it.

Unsurprisingly, it is still my go-to when I’m in desperate need of a moment of self-appreciation.

All Too Well (Album: Red Year: 2012)

“And you call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest. I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here..”

All Too Well is an anthem among Swift’s fans, not just because it showcases the breadth of her irrefutable story-telling abilities but because it is flawlessly executed with a heart-wrenching melody.

On a personal level, I remember hearing All Too Well as I was battling through the typical woes of growing up and immediately internalising it as a soundtrack of vulnerability.

Intentionally or otherwise, it’s a letter from Swift to her fans telling them it’s okay to feel deeply, wildly and passionately.

Clean (Album: 1989 Year: 2014)

“Rain came pouring down. When I was drowning, that's when I could finally breathe.”

Clean draws parallels between the end of a relationship and addiction, mirroring moving on with sobriety.

In the true essence of great music, Clean has to me always been the perfect depiction of letting go of a toxic person or people. It sashays effortlessly through feelings of denial and nothingness all the way through to eventual acceptance.

As a young adult, this was the beginning of a very healthy phase of departing from people who added no positive value to my life and Clean was my melodic validation of just how meaningful that evolution was.

These are just a handful of the tracks from Swift's extensive portfolio which imprinted on me during my growing years.

Perhaps it's a coincidence, fate or simply Swift's ability to connect with her listeners but in many ways I have always felt that each of her albums mirrors the path I seem to be walking at that point in my life - childhood and beyond.

Whatever the reason, it would be ignorant not to acknowledge that this in itself is a part of Swift's mastery of music.