There has long been a cliché that those suffering from heartbreak listen to Taylor Swift's music, but have you ever stopped to wonder why?

Taylor Swift's songwriting can be uplifting and preppy at times, but a common theme throughout her albums is at least a couple of absolutely gutwrenching tracks. Listening to her discography on shuffle can cause a deeply dangerous swing between upbeat dance pop and tear-jerking, melodic tunes.

Emotional damage is simply inevitable when dealing with Swift's music! Although this begs the question of which of her albums leaves one the most emotional...

11. Fearless

I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale.

(White Horse)

Image Credit: Taylor Swift from Wikimedia Commons

Swift's second studio album had a clear focus on first loves and feelings about high school. In spite of certain sad lyrics from songs like White Horse and Fifteen, Fearless overall had a positive outlook on life and a cheery country vibe.

Take the Quiz: Are you folklore or evermore?

Out of the two sister albums released by Taylor Swift during the pandemic, find out which one you should check out!

10. Taylor Swift

He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do...

(Teardrops on my Guitar)

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Taylor Swift, the artist's self-titled debut album, had emotions woven in with a classic country-music style. Teardrops on My Guitar and Cold As You had affecting meanings, sure, but the album's overall vibe was carefree. Even melancholy lyrics were sung with radiance, leaving minimal emotional damage.

9. 1989

You dream of my mouth before it called you a lying traitor.

(Is Is Over Now?)

Image Credit: Taylor Swift from Wikimedia Commons

Swift's first full-blown pop album, 1989, tackled emotional themes the same way most pop songs do: singing about them while glossing over the deep, underlying issues using a fun beat. However, paying more attention to lyrics from Out of the Woods and Wildest Dreams reveals a sentimental side to the album.

8. Lover

Why'd I have to break what I love so much?

(Afterglow)

Image Credit: Taylor Swift Productions from Wikimedia Commons

Lover truly saw Swift being able to merge mainstream pop with serious emotions. Certain songs, such as Soon You'll Get Better about the singer's mother's journey with cancer and Death by a Thousand Cuts about excruciating heartbreak, are truly deep cuts. But the emotional impact of these tracks is softened by other, lighthearted songs, creating a relatively easy listening experience overall.

7. Reputation

Please don't ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognise anywhere.

(New Year's Day)

Image Credit: Big Machine Records from Wikimedia Commons

Many people assume that Reputation is a revenge album, but in all honesty, it is the most romantic of all of Swift's albums. It tackles the overarching theme of finding a partner who will stick by your side even when the whole world is against you, resulting in emotive lyrics from Call it What You Want, New Year's Day, and Delicate.

6. Speak Now

I just realised everything I have is someday gonna be gone.

(Never Grow Up)

Image Credit: Taylor Swift from Wikimedia Commons

Swift's only fully self-written album, Speak Now, has some surprisingly sad songs. Tracks like Long Live and Never Grow Up chronicled the singer's transition into adulthood, while Back to December and Last Kiss explore themes of regret. Despite its fun vibe, listening to this album in full is bound to stir up some emotions.

5. Folklore

And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?

(My Tears Ricochet)

Image Credit: Taylor Nation from Wikimedia Commons

The first of Swift's two pandemic albums, Folklore, is an enchanting storytelling experience. Based on various stories new and old, songs like Exile, This is Me Trying, and Seven follow complicated relationships, familial ties, and romance gone wrong. This album featured, arguably, Swift's best songwriting—making the emotions in this album hit that much closer to home.

4. Red

You kept me like a secret but I kept you like an oath.

(All Too Well)

Image Credit: Big Machine Records from Wikimedia Commons

Many of Swift's earlier albums saw fun pop hits overshadow meaningful and emotional songs. However, Red did the opposite. Two standouts from this album were All Too Well, one of Swift's most heart-breaking tracks (it even has a longer, sadder 10-minute version!) and Ronan, based on a 4-year-old boy named Ronan who tragically lost his life to neuroblastoma. All together, this album is sure to leave significant emotional damage.

3. Midnights

Sobbin' with your head in your hands, ain't that the way s*** always ends?

(Maroon)

Image Credit: Taylor Swift from Wikimedia Commons

The premise of Midnights itself spells emotional damage: "the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout [Swift's] life". Every song in this album leaves the listener with something thought-provoking, whether that may be the harsh way society treats young people in You're On You're Own Kid, the beauty of fleeting love in Snow on the Beach, or quick judgments of women in Lavender Haze. Any one song on this album is enough to stir up long-forgotten emotions!

2. Evermore

Seeing the shape of your name still spells out pain.

(Closure)

Image Credit: Taylor Nation from Wikimedia Commons

The sister album to Folklore, Evermore, featured even more harrowing lyrics than its predecessors. From the failed proposal in Champagne Problems to the pains of moving on from a relationship in Right Where You Left Me, every song in this album was like a miniature, sad story. The stand-out, most emotional track from Evermore is definitely Marjorie, based on Swift's own grief following her grandmother's sudden death. Don't be afraid to shed a tear or two during this album!

1. TTPD

Am I allowed to cry?

(Guilty as Sin?)

Image Credit: Taylor Swift from Wikimedia Commons

Many people felt like, with 31 songs at about 4 minutes each, The Tortured Poets Department was far too long. Here's my hot take: TTPD is supposed to be long! To everyone who finds the toxic ideals of I Can Do It With a Broken Heart and Clara Bow as well as the ill-fated love of So Long, London and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived exhaustingly emotional—that's the entire point!

TTPD was designed to wear out the listener with sad prose, dark themes, and melancholy rhythms. It serves as a snapshot into the mindset of someone going through a difficult time, making it the most emotional Taylor Swift album.

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Whether or not you are a Swiftie, it is undeniable that many of Taylor Swift's tracks are absolutely heartbreaking. Next time you listen to one of Taylor Swift's songs, try to pay attention to the lyrics and see if you can find an emotional easter egg that takes her music to the next level!