31 Best Taylor Swift Songs About Exes

“All Too Well”

Song Year: 2021

Swift wrote “All Too Well” in 2012. At first, it wasn't clear who she was referring to in her song, though many fans suspected it was directed at her actor ex-lover, Jake Gyllenhaal.

However, the newly released 2021 version of “All Too Well” (a 10-minute version) clarified that the song was about Gyllenhaal and earned her a 2023 Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year and a Grammy win for Best Music Video the same year.

Also, this latest version (Taylor's version) has attracted the attention of most of her fans.

“Out Of The Woods”

Song Year: 2014

“Out of the Woods” is one of the best and most popular hits from Swift's 1989 album. Like most of her tracks, this song talks about her ex-lover, Harry Styles, and the downfall of their high-profile love story.

Considering the many roadblocks Harry and Swift had to pass in their relationship, “Out of the Woods” is an excellent beat for when you finally leave a relationship that's full of pressure. In her case, some relationships can be too stressful and cause high anxiety levels.

Apart from the pressure that was the norm in the two singers' relationship, Swift also hints about a snowmobiling incident that ended with Harry needing 20 stitches in his chin.

“Happiness”

Song Year: 2020

“Happiness” might be the title of this song, but it remains a sad breakup hit from this celebrated pop music star.

While most of Taylor Swift's songs about exes bash former lovers, happiness sends a positive message about forgiveness and a new start.

It's a realization that some people come into your life not to stay, and when the time is up, they ultimately leave. Also, Swift says that “Happiness” sometimes lies on the other side of wishing it to those who take it away from you.

“Bad Blood” ft. Kendrick Lamar

Song Year: 2014

“Bad Blood” doesn't talk about an ex-boyfriend but an ugly fallout between two seemingly great friends. In the song, Swift hints about her doubts about her friend, A-Lister Katy Perry.

You probably have such kinds of friends—the ones who sab you at the back and laugh with you from the front.

As the song depicts, the two had several instances of bad blood before the final fallout over their dancers.

“Holy Ground”

Song Year: 2012

“Holy Ground” is among the most-loved Taylor Swift songs about exes, although she doesn’t clarify the song's inspiration. Some of her sleuthing fans are good at connecting dots and have suggested that “Holy Ground” is about Joe Jonas.

That sounds weird, considering the two broke up in 2008 (four years earlier). However, the speculations could be true, considering that Jonas appeared in a handful of Taylor Swift's songs in 2011. Also, they appeared in a picture together the same year, spiking rumors that the two former lovebirds may have rekindled their affection.

The fact that Swift is more positive in this song indicates that the two had moved on and developed and were only interacting as good friends.

“Mine”

Song Year: 2010

Although overshadowed by other big hits from the Speak Now album, “Mine” remains one of the best songs about exes from Taylor Swift. “Mine” is allegedly about the late actor Cory Monteith.

The two never opened up to the public about being together. However, rumors of their supposed encounter filled the air in the summer of 2010.

“Mine” talks about Swift's relationship with the Glee star actor, Monteith, a man she was yet to know. Sadly, Monteith died in 2013.

“Better Than Revenge”

Song Year: 2010

“Better than Revenge” is among the top preferences of many of Swift's fans for several reasons. Unlike most of Taylor Swift's songs about exes bashing men, this one also targets the woman he dates after her.

It comes shortly after their breakup with Joe Jonas and fiercely targets Camilla Belle, the woman Jonas dated afterward. Considering the words in the lines, “Better Than Revenge” remains among the most vicious songs from this artist.

When asked about her slut-shaming in the entire song, Swift blamed everything on her young age (she was 18), an age of naivete and young love.

“Our Song”

Song Year: 2007

“Our Song” marks the beginning of Taylor Swift's music career, setting her up to the standards of the best hits in the mid-2000s. She first performed the song at her school's talent show.

After releasing her first album, “Our Song” got the most attention from fans, establishing Taylor Swift as a superstar and reaching certified platinum status four times.

Like most of her tracks, “Our Song” was a story between her and her then high school and teenage boyfriend, Brandon Bordello. The two broke up when Bordello went to college but remained good friends.

“The Story of Us”

Song Year: 2010

“The Story of Us” is another big hit from Taylor Swift to her ex-lover, John Mayer—the two dated for some months between 2009 and 2010. The time might have been short, but Mayer must have had a major effect on Swift's little heart (she was 19 while he was 32) because of the drama that followed their breakup.

First, Swift wrote and released “Dear John,” a song that bashed Mayer for mistreating her. Mayer revealed in an interview that the track humiliated him, and he didn't do anything to deserve the hate.

Later, the two met at the CMT Awards and notably ignored each other, making Swift write the song “Story of Us.” To her, it was about the awkwardness of bumping into your ex and trying so hard to avoid each other.

“Teardrops on My Guitar”

Song Year: 2006

“Teardrops on My Guitar” is among the best Taylor Swift songs about exes and one of the tracks that gave her music career a breakthrough. The song reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The person behind the song's inspiration doesn't count as Swift's ex. However, it has no major variation with almost all her songs about former lovers.

The song draws inspiration from Swift's high school days, specifically her unreciprocated crush on her classmate, Andrew Hardwick. She talks of Hardwick telling her about the girl he loves and her (Swift) hiding her tears so he won't see.

Like all songs in this category, “Teardrops on My Guitar” gives Swift the last laugh. In an interview, she revealed that Hardwick knocked on her door two years later, but it was too late.