Midnights in Review

The most hyped album in history is finally here. On this historic day, October 21 at midnight sharp, Taylor Swift dropped her 10th studio album: Midnights. This album tells the story of 13 sleepless nights and takes us on a journey starting with the song “Lavender Haze” and finishing with “Mastermind”. On our way to the 13th night, Lana Del Ray joins us in “Snow on the Beach” and Taylor takes us home  to the 13th track. Allow me to guide you through this journey…

Track 1: “Lavender Haze” 

This track was a brilliant opener for the star’s 10th studio album. It had a genius techno funk beat enhanced by the use of the synth in the background. This song takes us on a journey through love and loss the the “Mastermind” herself had some genius lyrics for this song such as, “Talk your talk and go viral I just need this love spiral Get it off your chest Get it off my desk.” Overall, this song was a fantastic soft opening to our journey.

Track 2: “Maroon”

“Maroon” is the second song on this masterpiece, and it narrates the progression of two people falling madly in love. Many people say this song has a Reputation sound because of its familiarity to songs like “Dress” and “King of my Heart” which were both featured on Reputation. Overall, people are loving this song and many Swifties would put it on their top five favorites from this album. 

Track 3: “Anti-Hero”

“Anti-Hero” tells the story of Taylor feeling like an imposter throughout her career and her life. Taylor said on her Instagram that this song was one of her favorites that she had ever written! Swifties agreed with her because after only 5 minutes of the song being released, it was number one on every music chart in the world. This song is very relatable for a lot of people who have ever felt like they weren’t worthy enough to fit in, and they felt like an “Anti-Hero”.

Track 4: “Snow on the Beach (Ft Lana Del Ray)”

This song is a hot topic because the lyrics and the story are absolutely beautiful, however fans were disappointed in the lack of Lana Del Ray in the song. While you can sometimes hear Lana in the background very subtly, she didn’t get her own verse or even her own line to sing! This upset many people who listened to the album just for Lana. Despite the lack of Lana Del Ray, the song overall is beautiful. It tells the story of two people who fall for each other at the same time. Taylor used this storyline because this happens just as rarely as snow falls on beaches, however when it does happen it is gorgeous. 

Track 5: “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

This song artistically narrates Taylor’s life and relationships through innocent sounding vocal qualities to highlight her youth, and the hard lessons she has had to learn throughout her career and beyond. This song also discusses her eating disorder through saying,” I hosted parties and starved my body” in the most beautiful bridge. This song is a tearjerker for sure because it validates issues that many people have dealt with. If you plan on listening to this one, make sure you have a box of tissues on hand. 

Track 6: “Midnight Rain”

While this song was not a favorite for many, a certain few would say that this song truly illustrates the challenges with diverging personalities in a relationship. This song utilizes a lot of synth and interesting vocal techniques to illustrate the pain that these types of relationships can bring to people.

Track 7: “Question…?”

This song is rumored to be the story of when Joe and Taylor first met. This song has genius lyrics over top of a spunky beat. This song is a great enlightenment for Swifties all over because Taylor is very closeted about her relationship with Joe, but hearing the story of how they first met truly gives us some insider into their relationship.

Track 8: “Vigilante Sh%$”

This song is one of the most powerful songs Taylor has ever written. It has a strong correlation to the overall feel and sound of Reputation with the main topic of the song being revenge. As most know, Reputation was written when Taylor went into hiding for over a year, and came out with an AMA for favorite pop album and a Billboard award. Not to mention, a tour that grossed over 345.7 million dollars. Overall, this song has a very strong connection to the angst of Reputation.

Track 9: “Bejeweled” 

This song sounds a lot like a song that Taylor will play at the end of her concerts, or a closer. The song is very upbeat and joyous overall, which leads many people to believe it will be her closing song on tour. This song narrates Taylor gaining her confidence back despite the media trying to tear her down for everything she does. This song truly is Taylor telling the world I don’t care what you say, I am me and I am amazing.

Track 10: “Labyrinth”

“Labyrinth” is a truly heartbreaking song that explains some of Taylors fears and past trauma. The line, “You know how scared I am of elevators, never trust it if it rises fast, it can’t last” truly depicts the hurt she has experienced. However, the song goes on to say that love pulled her out of her nose dive. It is truly beautiful to go on this journey with her in this song. 

Track 11: “Karma” 

“Karma” was a song that was one of the most anticipated on the album, and it did not disappoint. The song opens and you can tell by the lyrics and the tone of her voice, you can tell that she will take no prisoners. The petty chorus shows that everything that is meant to happen, will happen in due time. Many people believe this song is directed towards Scooter and Kanye. People believe it is targeting Scooter because it says,” My pennies made your crown” which means that all of Taylors hard work and dedication only went towards building him up. Many also believe that it’s a hit at Kanye because she sings,” Karma is the guy on the screen coming straight home to me” which was rumored to mean all of the news on Kanye and outbursts was his karma finally catching up to him. 

Track 12: “Sweet Nothing” 

“Sweet Nothing” is a truly adorable song that tells the story of Taylor finally being in a healthy relationship where Joe doesn’t ask anything of her, other than to be her true authentic self. Many people cried happy tears listening to this song because you can hear the relief and the joy in Taylors voice while she’s singing this beautiful song. 

Track 13: “Mastermind”

Many Swifites believe that this song is Taylor telling her fans that everything she does has a secret meaning. The lyric,” What if I told you none of it was accidental in the first place” very clearly gives us the meaning of this song. The intricacy of the bridge of this song is truly beautiful to listen to. The heart wrenching lyrics, “No one wanted to play with me as a little kid, so I’ve been scheming like a criminal ever since” made lots of fans sob hysterically.  Overall, the song “Mastermind” is a masterpiece.

Bonus Tracks 

Taylor shocked the world when at 3 a.m. on October 21, just 3 short hours after the release of her album, she dropped seven bonus tracks. The album with the addition of these tracks is called Midnights (3 a.m. Version). These tracks took us through another seven nights in Taylor’s life that helped create who she was. The tracks were…

Track 14: “The Great War”

  This song details how a strong relationship can survive even the biggest of fights. It shows both sides of the argument and how things can be perceived in a relationship. This song is an overall masterpiece in every aspect of the word. From the witty and smart lyrics, to funky pop beats they were accompanied by. This song was received very well and many fans would put it in their top three on the album. 

Track 15: ”Bigger Than the Whole Sky”

This song details the loss of something or someone very close to you. AKA, somebody who is “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” from your perspective. This song tugs at the heartstrings in a way nobody could’ve imagined. It discusses the long term effects that loss can have on a person and how that can negatively impact people through lyrics like,” You were more than just a short time” and,” I’m never gonna meet what could’ve been, would’ve been, should’ve been you.”

Track 16: “Paris”

“Paris” tells the tale of a couple who are so immersed in their relationship that the things happening around them aren’t important, only their relationship is. Taylor goes to the extent to say that they were so lost in each other that it felt like they were in the city of love, Paris. This song has a 1989 sound which a lot of Swifties truly appreciated. 

Track 17: “High Infidelity”

This song is written from the perspective of somebody who regrets ever being involved with a cheater. The guilt and regret that comes with a relationship like this is illustrated in genius lyrics such as, “Do you really want to know where I was April 29”. Overall this song can hold its own on the album with its fun chorus and clever lyrics. 

Track 18: “Glitch”

“Glitch” is about somebody who tends to be pretty closeted that falls in love very unexpectedly. A lot of people can relate to this song because due to some past trauma, they don’t tend to open up or easily show emotion. However, one person made them and this song beautifully depicts that feeling. 

Track 19: “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”

This song absolutely destroys John Mayer who dated Taylor when she was 19 and he was 32. He was known to be one of the most manipulative people she had ever been in a relationship with, and John Mayer made Jake Gylenhall seem like an angel. This song has a strong relation to the album Speak Now, particularly the song “Dear John”. This song is much more brutal though to the point where it makes “Dear John” sound like a love song. Taylor talks about how she was still basically a child when she got involved with John and how he took advantage of her innocence. This is most strongly depicted in the lines,” Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first,” which is coming for Mayer’s ignorance of her age and maturity level. Overall, this song makes a mockery of Mayer and many Swifties would participate in hand to hand combat with John if they ever got the chance. 

Track 20: “Dear Reader” 

The closing song to the album is a perfect ending that explores Taylor’s reinvention of herself. At one point in the song we can hear a life support machine beeping slowly in the background to represent the old Taylor passing on to make way for the new Taylor. Overall, this song explores the depth of her recreation and rebirth, and how impactful that was on her life and career.

In sum, this album was the hit of our generation. Taylor is genius in every sense of the word and we look forward to many more albums. Maybe a Speak Now Taylor’s Version!

What was your favorite song on the album?