An Extensive Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift

BY AUDREY MURTON & SIENNA PAGE

Track 1 – Lavender Haze
Imagine if I Think He Knows, False God and Delicate had a love child, you’ve got Lavender Haze. Sultry and intimate, this is a love song that has the sound of Lover and lyrics of Reputation. She talks about how her lover handles the scrutiny she gets from others perfectly. Despite all of the relentless questions and rumours, he stays no matter her reputation. He doesn’t care about others opinions, she feels as though she is being seen for her true self and hopes that it will always stay like that, in the “lavender haze”.

You should listen if you liked these songs: I Think He Knows (Lover), False God (Lover), Delicate (Reputation), The Very First Night (Red), Holy Ground (Red)

Track 2 – Maroon
A clear reference to her 2012 hit album ‘Red’, Maroon is an intense, complex track that reflects on a relationship and all the ways it worked and fell apart. Swift talks of the nature of it in hindsight when she says, “I wake with your memory over me, that’s a real f legacy” after losing herself and her direction whilst with them. The chorus is sharp and tells a story referencing almost every shade of red imaginable; maroon, blood, scarlet, burgundy, wine and rust.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Red (Red), Dress (Reputation), Death by a Thousand Cuts (Lover), All You Had to Do was Stay (1989), Dancing with our Hands Tied (Reputation).

Track 3 – Anti-Hero
With an interesting music video to accompany Anti-Hero and an unfortunately catchy chorus, this song truly proves that Taylor is the queen of pop. A story of self-hate, a person who is always the problem, Swift reflects on her life and her seeming lack of personal growth. It is a style of song Taylor does best — Heart Wrenching and personal themes with a poppy and catchy tune. Some lyrics can be strange, like “sometimes i feel like everybody is a sexy baby and I’m a monster on the hill”, but we still get the same depth we are used to with lyrics like; “I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser” and “did you hear my covert narcissism, I might disguise as altruism, like some kind of congressman”.

You should listen if you liked these songs: This is me trying (folklore), Afterglow (Lover), The Lucky One (Red), Getaway Car (Reputation)

Track 4 – Snow On The Beach (feat. Lana Del Rey)
Lana fans were so excited for this song, and upon listening, it seems to be a letdown because the word “featuring” is more than a little generous. Lana seems to be just a harmonising whisper in the background. The song itself is beautiful and soft, harmonic and sweet. Lana’s voice does add an ethereal element to the song, harmonising well with Taylor’s, creating a beautiful duet that is similar to the ballard style of both artists. It speaks of a relationship so surprising and beautiful, it’s as if it was to snow at the beach.

You should listen if you liked these songs: This Love (1989), You are in Love (1989), Delicate (Reputation), It’s Nice to Have a Friend (Lover), Invisible String (Folklore), Gold Rush (Folklore).

Track 5 – You’re On Your Own Kid
The infamous Track 5, always known to be the saddest and most heartbreaking song on Swift’s albums (think All Too Well), You’re On Your Own Kid (YOYOK) brings the despair and longing of a quintessential Track 5 through the lyrics, but the sound is truly quite different to all of the past. Disguised in an upbeat, pop melody, the lyrics talk of the protagonist longing for a boy who doesn’t seem to notice her. She goes wild trying to get this boy to notice her saying, “I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this” and “I looked around in a blood-soaked gown”, but in the end, she only has herself.

This song is a story of growth and the development of self-trust. By the end, the lyrics change from “You’re on your own, kid, You always have been” to “You’re on your own, kid, Yeah, you can face this” showing growth and the new lyrics reading like a mantra to herself. This song is for those who believed someone else could save them, only to be left on their own and that they’ll have to do it themselves. The song follows a narrative from being forced to be on one’s own to acceptance.

You should listen if you liked these songs: New Year’s Day (Reputation), Exile (Folklore), Illicit Affairs (Folklore), This is Me Trying (Folklore), The Lakes (Folklore), Tolerate It (Evermore), Coney Island (Evermore), Treacherous (Red)

Track 6 – Midnight Rain
This song was a bit of a jumpscare at first with the distorted voice but after a few listens, we became obsessed. You can truly tell that Jack Antanoff co-wrote and produced this with strong elements of Melodrama by Lorde, another album he worked closely on. This song is one of the other few songs we receive about Swift’s relationship with Tom Hiddleston. She talks about how they were at different points in their lives and they were completely different people, that’s why it never worked out. Her delicate voice and the distortion contrast each other just like the lyrics do with lines like; “he wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain” and “he wanted a bride, I was making my own name”.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Wildest Dreams (1989), Out of the Woods (1989), Getaway Car (Reputation), Long Story Short (Evermore), Babe (Red), Cruel Summer (Lover)

Track 7 – Question…?
This song had many questions, and there is much mystery surrounding the nature of these inquisitions. Some speculate that this song is about Harry Styles, with the ‘Out of the Woods’ reference at the beginning of the track, while others speculate that this song is about Karlie Kloss. Swift reminisces on a specific event where she kissed whomever this song is about. It is unclear whether she knows the answers to the questions she is asking, or if she is reminiscing on all the things left unsaid.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Out of the Woods (1989), Style (1989), I Wish You Would (1989), Afterglow (Lover), I Knew You were Trouble (Red)

Track 8 – Vigilante S***
Although the title of this song may need to be censored for this article, I’m sure you understand what I mean. This song is one you need to listen to in the car with the bass boosted. It is her comeback, a big nod to her Reputation era, her Gone Girl ‘cool girl’ monologue. It’s sultry, it’s dark, it’s filled with vengeance and audacity. She shows this through her lyrics; “she needed cold hard proof so I gave her some” and “they say looks can kill and I might try”.

You should listen if you liked these songs: I Did Something Bad (Reputation), This is Why we Can’t Have Nice Things (Reputation), Mad Woman (Folklore), No Body No Crime (Evermore), Picture to Burn (Taylor Swift), Better Than Revenge (Speak Now), So it Goes (Reputation)

Track 9 – Bejeweled
Some may call it the older, more mature and developed sister of Mirrorball (Folklore), Bejeweled is a fun, dazzling song that is perfect to strut to. Potentially a bit cringe-y for Gen Z, the millennials love this one (I’m talking about you Ms Kindon). It reflects on past life choices and feelings that have all led Swift to her place in life where she is no longer a mirrorball showing her lover everything they ask for with a constant feeling of it not being enough, now she took that shine and make it sparkly, showing off the best sides of her, not the version of her someone else asks her to be. She talks of being “a little to kind” and “too good of a girl” and now she can “reclaim her land” and says “a diamond’s gotta shine”.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Blank Space (1989), This is Why we can’t have Nice Things (Reputation), Mirrorball (Folklore), 22 (Red)

Track 10 – Labyrinth
Labyrinth as a song differs from Taylor’s usual repertoire. She experiments with different sound and voice effects which add a somewhat confusing layer to the listening experience. The song itself is about letting go and allowing oneself to be overcome by the act of falling in love, and has some parallels to Alice in Wonderland falling down the rabbit hole. Swift compares her mind to a labyrinth, highlighting how she overthinks her relationships when she should surrender to the feeling of falling. I

You should listen if you liked these songs: Wonderland (1989), I Know Places (1989), Willow (Evermore)

Track 11 – Karma
Meow, this one is for all the cat lovers out there. The tune of this one is very 70s, having an almost disco backing track. The tune, especially the chorus, is extremely catchy. It is a danceable song which easily lifts moods. It is almost the antithesis of shake of it, following a similar upbeat vibe, but having a completely different and opposite meaning. This is a satisfying song overall, signaling that everything comes full circle.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Shake it Off (1989), Blank Space (1989), New Romantics (1989), This is Why we Can’t have Nice Things (Reputation), I Forgot that You Existed (Lover), Should’ve Said No (Taylor Swift)

Track 12 – Sweet Nothing
This song is so sweet and beautiful, highlighting the calmness and simplicity that Taylor can find within her relationship. It’s very homey and safe, perhaps the most intimate song on the album. Despite all the scheming and hardship Swift has faced, from both the media and the industry, she still finds sweetness. This song juxtaposes the need for Karma and revenge, themes found in the songs Vigilante S*** and Karma, highlighting the duality of Taylor Swift, her public persona versus her private life.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Clean (1989), You are in Love (1989), Call it What you Want (Reputation), New Year’s Day (Reputation), Run (Red), Cardigan (Folklore)

Track 13 – Mastermind
The story of a relationship perfectly calculated, Swift tells a secret to her lover that she had
calling herself a “Mastermind”. From the second she saw this person, she knew she would make them hers, and the song tells the story of how it happened, and then at the end how he says he knew the whole time. With lyrics like “what if I told you none of it was accidental” and “I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork the dominoes cascaded in a line”.

You should listen if you liked these songs: How You Get the Girl (1989), I Know Places (1989), Mirrorball (Folklore), Cowboy like me (Evermore),

3am Tracks

The Great War
This song is an extended metaphor comparing love to war, a common trope. The beat seems almost militaristic in the drumming, and the diction is very strong on army references. This song is upbeat, exploring how imperfect relationships are, as they are filled with fighting but also with love and adornment. The Great War also explores insecurities from old relationships and how they influence present relationships, ending on a hopeful note that couples can overcome hardships.

You should listen if you liked these songs: I wish you would (1989), Dancing With our Hands Tied (Reputation), Long Story Short (Evermore), Babe (Red)

Bigger Than The Whole Sky
This song may be the saddest song on the album. It is quite acoustic, with a simple guitar melody filled with the sound of Swift’s voice. This song is about grief, and although not specific, it is applicable to everyone who has ever lost someone or something. The song explores the expression of grief as lost love, with Swift even blaming herself for the loss, engaging in bargaining, one of the stages of grief. This song acts as a sort of eulogy, giving Swift the closure she needs to move on from whatever is causing her this immense grief.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Ronan (Red), This Love (1989), Exile (Folklore), Coney Island (Evermore), Sad Beautiful Tragic (Red).

Paris
This song is fun. It is very true to Swift’s 1989 era, following the glamorous gossip of the pop star life. It is about escaping reality, wanting to get lost with someone who you are purely in love with. It uses lots of escapist and romantic imagery to convey the meaning of the song, the biggest romantic allusion to Paris, the city of love. Swift also finds it within herself to mock cheap wine, which is a running inside joke within the Swift fandom that Taylor will take a jab at Joe, whom this song is speculated to be about, and his poor roots.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Welcome to New York (1989), End Game (Reputation), 22 (Red), Our Song (Taylor Swift), You Belong with Me (Fearless), Wildest Dreams (1989)

High Infidelity
This song reminiscences on Swift’s past indiscretions of loyalty. The beat is funky but very catchy. The tone of this song is very careless. This song alludes to her relationship with Calvin Harris, referencing the specific date April 29th which was around the time ‘This is What you Came for’ was released.

You should listen if you liked these songs: New Romantics (1989), Getaway Car (Reputation), I Forgot that You Existed (Lover), I Bet you Think About me (Red)

Glitch
This song reflects on Swift’s confusion towards a relationship. It appears to her that there is something strange, she is falling for someone she shouldn’t have, or she is shocked at how things have progressed. The song divulges the messages of the situation that Taylor was in when she met Joe, whom this song is speculated to be about, hence the imagery of glitches and things not being as they are supposed to be.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Delicate (Reputation), Cornelia Street (Lover), Peace (Folklore), Holy Ground (Red)

Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
This song is reminiscent of Swift’s relationship with John Mayer at 19. She reflects on the situation, particularly the age gap and how that influenced her innocence and girlhood. This was a very calculated choice for Swift, who put the song as track 19, talking about her relationship at 19, and releasing this song when she is 32, the same age John Mayer was when they dated. The song comes from a mature relationship with Swift realising the true nature of the relationship. This song is for anyone who has ever felt taken advantage of by someone older at a young age.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Death by a Thousand Cuts (Lover), Mad Woman (Folklore), No Body No Crime (Evermore), Right Where you Left Me (Evermore), All Too Well 10 Min Version (Red), Dear John (Speak Now)

Dear Reader
Dear Reader is a fitting ending to the album, addressing the reader (listener) themself. Swift ends the album by encouraging the listener to trust themselves and live for themselves. She encourages them to move on, giving advice having reflected on the events of the album. The album flows as a story, with reflections of the past leading to an ending where Swift can finally say that she learnt her lessons.

You should listen if you liked these songs: Clean (1989), New Year’s Day (Reputation), The 1 (Folklore), Peace (Folklore), Long Story Short (Evermore), It’s time to go (Evermore), Run (Red).