Exploring Taylor Swift's Non-Romantic Tracks: From 'The Man' to 'Anti-Hero'

If you’re not a die-hard Swiftie like us, you might think that all of Taylor Swift’s songs are about dating and love — but you’d be mistaken. On the heels of the release of The Tortured Poets Department, let us enlighten you about her numerous hits about family, friends, and more.

Take “The Man,” for example, from her 2019 album, Lover. In the track, Swift sings about how her life and career would be different if she were a man: “They’d say I hustled / Put in the work / They wouldn’t shake their heads and question how much of this I deserve.” Throughout the song, Swift delves into her experience of sexism in the music industry.

Swift has also written a number of songs about her family, such as “The Best Day,” “Never Grow Up,” “Soon You’ll Get Better,” and “Marjorie,” where she shares about her relationships with her mom, late grandmother, and more.

Keep scrolling to discover all the songs Swift has penned that do not revolve around dating, organized by album.

Taylor Swift (Debut)

The song "I’m Only Me When I’m With You" from Taylor Swift's debut album is dedicated to her childhood friend Abigail Anderson. The music video features heartwarming clips of the two friends bonding and having fun, along with glimpses of Swift's family.

Elsewhere on the 2006 album is “A Place in This World,” a song about Swift’s journey moving to Nashville and wanting to become famous.

Fearless

Fearless is known for containing some of Taylor Swift's biggest hits like "You Belong With Me" and "Love Story." But it also includes songs that aren't about her romantic relationships. One of these is "The Best Day," a touching tribute to her mother, Andrea Swift.

Another track on the album is "Change," a song that talks about facing and conquering challenges.

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Speak Now

"Mean" is a popular track from Taylor Swift's album Speak Now. It was inspired by a negative review she received, rumored to be from critic Bob Lefsetz. He criticized Swift's singing abilities after her 2010 Grammys performance. In the song, Swift sings about seeing the critic in the future, washed up in a bar, ranting about her singing skills while drunk and bitter.

Red

Other tracks on Taylor Swift's album that don't focus on love include "Never Grow Up," which reflects on the passage of time, "Long Live," a tribute to her loyal supporters, "Innocent," inspired by her conflict with Kanye West, and "Castles Crumbling," where she addresses her worries about the future of her music career.

In the album "1989," Taylor Swift explores themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery through her catchy pop tunes. With hits like "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space," Swift showcases her evolution as an artist and her ability to connect with her audience on a deeper level. The album's upbeat sound and honest lyrics make it a fan favorite for many Swifties around the world.

Swift's first pop album features tracks like "Welcome to New York," reflecting her transition to the city, and "Bad Blood," inspired by her past conflict with Katy Perry. The feud began when Perry recruited Swift's backup dancers for her own tour, but the two have since reconciled and Perry was even spotted singing along to "Bad Blood" at one of Swift's shows.

In addition, Swift's album includes the empowering anthem "Shake It Off," where she addresses the importance of letting go of negativity from haters.

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Reputation

One of Taylor Swift's most famous songs is "Look What You Made Me Do." It was released after a conflict with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. They edited a phone call to make it seem like Taylor approved offensive lyrics about her in Kanye's song "Famous."

Swift again touches on her relationship with West in “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” and “I Did Something Bad.”

Lover

Swift's Lover album, released in 2019, features songs that explore a variety of themes beyond dating. Tracks like "The Man," "I Forgot That You Existed," and "Soon You'll Get Better" delve into topics like social commentary, personal growth, and family struggles.

Among the fan-favorite tracks is "You Need to Calm Down," which many believe takes a swipe at Donald Trump. In this upbeat anthem, Swift celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and even reconciles with Katy Perry in the music video, putting an end to their long-standing feud.

Which Track From ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ Are You Most Excited For?

Folklore

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Swift released two albums that are like sisters. These albums tell fictional stories, feature personal tracks, and include songs about different people. One popular song on Folklore is “The Last Great American Dynasty,” which tells the story of Rebekah Harkness, the former owner of Swift’s Rhode Island home.

Along with “The Last Great American Dynasty,” Folklore includes songs like “Mirrorball,” “Seven,” “Mad Woman,” and “This Is Me Trying.” Interestingly, these songs are not focused on romantic relationships.

Evermore

Swift sang about her late grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, who was an opera singer in “Marjorie.” Finlay’s voice can also be heard on the track.

“Dorothea” is another hit on the album, about a fictional girl who left her town to chase fame.

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Midnights

Swift's 2022 album, Midnights, strays away from the typical dating themes found in her previous works. Instead, songs like "You're on Your Own, Kid," "Karma," "Dear Reader," "Bigger Than the Whole Sky," and "Vigilante S—t" delve into topics like growing up and her feud with Scooter Braun.

In her track "Anti-Hero," Swift opens up about the aspects of herself that she dislikes. She shared in a TikTok video in October 2022 that this song explores her insecurities in a way she hasn't done before. Swift admits to struggling with the overwhelming size of her life and the feeling of losing her sense of self.

One of her most popular songs on the album is “Bejeweled,” which is about Swift’s self-worth.

Editor's P/S:

Taylor Swift's music has evolved significantly over the years, and her recent releases have showcased her maturity as an artist. While her earlier work primarily focused on dating and love, her later albums explore a wider range of themes, including family, friends, and personal growth.

This shift in Swift's songwriting reflects her own experiences and perspectives. As she has grown older, she has gained a deeper understanding of the world and the challenges that people face. Her music now reflects this maturity, offering insights into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of everyday life.