35 Best Taylor Swift Songs On Guitar – With Tabs
It is often said that there will never be another cultural phenomenon on the scale of Elvis or The Beatles. However, such a statement shows little understanding of just how popular Taylor Swift is.
If you're a Swiftie or just want to play her songs, here are the best Taylor Swift songs on guitar.
Contents
“You Belong With Me”
While Taylor has always been on a meteoric rise, it wasn’t until 2009 that her career hit a new level. The album, Fearless, is what helped Taylor start to gain so much mainstream attention.
Taylor’s hit song, You Belong With Me, comes from Fearless, and features that iconic blend of country and pop elements. Country music purists would likely point to this song as the start of modern-day commercial country’s sound.
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
The song, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together is both extremely catchy and fun to play.
Throughout the majority of the song, you’ll be incorporating both basic chord strums and fingerpicking techniques. The song is mostly based around the chords of Cadd9, G, Dsus4, and E minor.
In reality, this song embodies just about everything Taylor is known for in terms of musical composition. With that being said, its title is unbelievably cliche for what one would assume a T-Swift song to be titled.
“Shake It Off”
By the time 2014 rolled around, Taylor had seemingly made a complete departure from the shackles of country music. Now, Taylor Swift was a bonafide pop music star, evidenced perfectly in songs like Shake It Off.
The drums and synthetic keyboard-horn sound immediately tell you this is a dance song through and through. You might be unsure about how to play this given that the guitar is nearly non-existent in the recording.
However, if you use your ears, you’ll notice that it’s primarily built around A minor, C, and G.
“Love Story”
While Taylor is known for many things, it’s her storytelling capabilities that take the front seat in Love Story. This song comes from early in Taylor’s career, partially evidenced by its heavy mandolin sound throughout.
From a compositional point of view, Love Story is pretty stereotypical for a Taylor Swift track. The song is based around D, with the main progression switching chords between verses and choruses.
For instance, during the verses, she plays D, B minor, G, and A. During the chorus, she switches the progression to D, A, B minor, and then G.
“Our Song”
Back at the beginning of Taylor’s career, she seemingly embraced country music as a foundational basis. This sound provided a springboard for country and pop fans alike to congregate under one banner.
Take the track, Our Song, for instance, which features plenty of acoustic guitar and mandolin against a semi-swung pop drumbeat. Of course, for most fans, this track conveys a sense of teenage nostalgia that keeps them coming back for more.
“Sad Beautiful Tragic”
Many people point to the 2012 album, Red, as Taylor’s departure into more experimental sounds beyond her established sound. However, while many of the songs are different in sound, they are compositionally very akin to her other works.
The song, Sad Beautiful Tragic, features a very basic chord progression of G, D, A minor, and C. While this 4-chord progression is incredibly basic and simple, it provides the perfect context for the song.
Taylor seems to be performing from an honest space with this song. Somehow, this simple progression strips away all of the unnecessary layers to provide raw emotion.
“All Too Well”
The album, Red, seems to be an excellent choice for anyone that is into guitar-heavy Taylor Swift songs. Her track, All Too Well, features signature aspects of Taylor’s music we all know all too well.
What would those signature aspects be? Well, in a comical way, this track is also built from a 4-chord progression of C, G, A minor, and F.
Where this song differs from her earlier work is that a lead guitar is featured prominently for melodic purposes. This lead part is relatively easy enough for any advancing beginner to pick out by ear.
“Fearless”
Would you believe me if I said that Fearless is also an incredibly simplistic tune from a compositional standpoint? While I don’t mean to burst your bubble, this is just something you’ll need to get used to.
Fearless is yet another Taylor Swift song built from a 4-chord progression. This time, the chords are F, C, D minor, and B flat.
To get the higher tonality, play it with a capo on the 3rd fret. From there, you’ll use the chord shapes of D, A, B minor, and G.
“The Story of Us”
Taylor’s 2011 track, The Story of Us, takes on the sound of a full-on rock band with a radio-friendly edge. As you might guess, the track opens up with a patented chord progression of B, C# minor, E, and A.
When the song quiets down, Taylor actually switches the progression to a 3-chord progression. Here, you’ll primarily be playing E, B, and A.
If you have access to a full band, this wouldn’t be a bad song to add to the repertoire. It's easy to play and is edgier compared to the sensitive sentimentality in Taylor’s other songs.
“Sparks Fly”
Sparks Fly, which comes from the album of the same name, continues on with a full band sound. In a way, this track embodies a sense of modern-day arena rock, with subtle distortion and smooth leads.
If you think about it, the rigors associated with the touring life likely did influence Taylor around this time. She was establishing herself as one of the most successful pop stars of the 21st century.
“Never Grow Up”
Another song to come from the Sparks Fly album is, Never Grow Up. Compared to the majority of Taylor’s songs, the acoustic part in this is a little more complicated.
The guitar part incorporates fingerpicking over a descending melodic passage based around D. You can play it without a capo, though it’s probably much easier to place one on the 2nd fret.
From there, instead of playing the standard D shape, you would play a C-shape chord instead.
“State of Grace”
State of Grace might not have been a smash hit as some of Taylor’s other songs. However, this track provides evidence of Taylor’s willingness to blend experimental elements with her traditional sound.
In some ways, it’s almost as if Taylor incorporated pop-rock elements from U2 and Muse into this song. You’ll especially hear this in the lead guitar part, which features exquisitely tasteful delay and sustain.
“Starlight”
Starlight is yet another track from the Red album that is often overlooked compared to Taylor’s giant hits. While Starlight is fundamentally a pop song on every level, Taylor illustrates something important here.
Pop music is often too reliant on electronic sounds that sometimes do not hit with the potency of organic instruments. Here, Taylor employs a full-band format with a staggering amount of sonic layering to provide a huge sound.
“Everything Has Changed” ft. Ed Sheeran
For some people, the musical collaboration of Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran is a dream come true. From an industry point of view, this collaboration was inevitable for the number of dollars it would create in revenue.
Everything Has Changed is a pretty simple song by most standards, utilizing a traditional 4-chord progression. The supplied tab should be transposed down a half-step to read F#, D# minor, B, and C#.
You might have an easier time just playing the barre chord forms throughout the track.
“Fifteen”
Taylor’s track, Fifteen, kicks it back to the teenage years of high school, with plenty of musical nostalgia to provide. This song is almost perfect for the beginner who is working on their strumming capabilities.
Rhythmically, the song is in standard 4/4 time playing over some basic open chords. However, there is some tasteful wrist snapping in the strum pattern that helps give Fifteen its distinct feel.
If the song proves difficult, slow the track down and work your way up to normal speed. This will allow you to work the kinks out and play it at full speed without any roadblocks.
“Ours”
Taylor Swift isn’t all just 4-chord progressions and simplistic melodies. Sometimes, like in the song, Ours, she uses 3-chord progressions, too!
While that isn’t meant to be cheeky or sarcastic, Ours is the epitome of a 2000s pop song. Plus, it’s ideal for the beginner guitarist who only has a few of the basic open chords under their belt.
Throughout this song, you’ll be playing C, A minor, and F, with a G thrown in every now and again.
“Back To December”
If there’s one thing Taylor Swift is known for, it’s her penchant for writing about relationships. It’s become a joke that there’s a chance you’ll end up in a song should you date her.
While the majority of these songs seem to take the offensive slant without regret, Back To December is different. This song is actually one of the few times (if not the only) that she makes an apology.
Sonically, Back To December is quite large, featuring some tasteful tremolo guitar among the song’s tapestry of layers.
“Mine”
The song, Mine, takes it back to Taylor’s patented blend of country-rock elements supplementing an acoustic guitar. Many people feel that this song is exemplary of how Taylor has provided so much musical diversity over the years.
Lyrically, Mine taps into what so many people who are coming into the transitory phase of adulthood feel. Life’s changes often contain bittersweet elements, with love often being an area that experiences the most tumult.
“I’m Only Me When I’m With You”
Part of what made Taylor Swift catch so much attention was that she was relatable to so many young people. Since she was a young teenager, Taylor has been proving that anyone can do whatever they put their minds to.
The song, I’m Only Me When I’m With You, is a track that Taylor reportedly wrote when she was 13. While it’s fairly basic compositionally (as you’d expect), it provides a glimmering insight into her future.
“Dark Blue Tennessee”
Die-hard Taylor Swift fans would probably chuckle at seeing Dark Blue Tennessee being mentioned here. The track is actually unreleased and the easiest way to hear it is by listening to a cover version.
Hence, that is the reason why a cover version of the song has been provided. However, it should illustrate that, just because it isn’t released, it doesn’t mean you can’t learn to play the song.
Just think, if you heard somebody playing Dark Blue Tennessee, wouldn’t you also lose your wig a little bit? Give that experience to someone else!
“Safe and Sound” ft. The Civil Wars
There’s no denying that The Hunger Games film series was incredibly popular and successful among young adults. It’s also not surprising that Taylor Swift would provide some music to help increase mainstream attention to the films.
After all, it’s become common practice for music artists to essentially advertise films through songs and music videos. However, this collaboration with The Civil Wars holds up just fine on its own without the context of the movie.
“White Horse”
Anybody can agree that Taylor made a name for herself writing about love and failed relationships. And, while most of them can be comical in nature, the song White Horse is quite serious in tone.
Many fans actually consider White Horse to be extremely powerful, and a moment where Taylor bears her soul. You won’t want to play this at a coffee shop unless you want your audience to cry in their coffee.
“Untouchable”
Let’s face it, some 4-chord song progressions can have a sense of empowerment embedded in the structure. Taylor’s track, Untouchable (from the Fearless album) can make anyone want to dance themselves to liberation.
In terms of its composition, you’ll be playing the chords G minor, B flat, F, and C. Apply this to a breakbeat drum pattern and you’ll have a bonafide dance hit complete with tension and release.
“Picture To Burn”
We’ve probably all been in a relationship that we’d all like to forget about for the rest of our days. Picture To Burn really takes charge and lights a fire in calling out a bad relationship.
It’s almost hard not to laugh at Taylor’s vocal delivery when ranting on about how her expectations were let down. If she was able to drive the truck, do you think she would have been so upset?
“I Knew You Were Trouble”
If there’s one thing to be learned about Taylor, it’s that she’s an artist who applies vision to her craft. While her music can be incredibly simplistic, she has a penchant for storytelling that elevates beyond the music’s simple form.
This same vision is often applied to her music videos, which often come across like watching a short film. I Knew You Were Trouble is a classic example of incorporating her vision into a cinematic delivery full of symbolism.
“Dear John”
What would the result be if the essence of John Mayer’s musicality was blended into Taylor Swift’s music? In my opinion, Taylor’s song, Dear John, is probably a close result of what would actually happen.
The song incorporates some powerful simplicity in both the chord structure and the melodic lead guitar passages. After all, John Mayer is also known for being somewhat simplistic, and he would be at home playing these leads.
“Haunted”
With the song Haunted, the queen of 4-chord progressions proves yet again how powerful simplicity can be. Haunted has a sort of elevating feeling with a hint of cinematic spookiness.
Considering the chronology of this song’s release, this track hints at the diversity that Taylor would soon explore. Plus, the song features bluegrass flatpicking phenom, Bryan Sutton, on the acoustic guitar.
Many fans consider this to be one of the pinnacle tracks from Taylor’s long and decorous career.
“You’re Not Sorry”
The track, You’re Not Sorry, is a somber 4-chord ballad that serves as a melodramatic soundboard about unmet expectations. Although the song features prominent piano, the part can be easily adapted to the guitar.
The main part of the song is focused around the chords D# minor, B, F#, and C#. Plus, the best part is that once you know those chords, you’ve pretty much learned the entire song.
It’s kind of a rare occurrence to hear a pop song playing one single progression without a bridge. Taylor proves, once again, that anything can be done.
“Crazier”
Kick it back to the old days of Taylor’s career with Crazier, a song she wrote as a young teenager. For many fans, Crazier is the sound of nostalgia, especially if they grew up watching the Hannah Montana movie.
Can you guess what the chordal foundation of this song consists of? If you guessed a 4-chord progression of E, B, C# minor, and A, you would be correct.
“Treacherous”
Do you have a capo and basic understanding of how to play C, A minor, F, and G? If so, you’re more than equipped to play Taylor’s track, Treacherous.
General consensus seems to agree that Treacherous is an underrated selection in Taylor’s song catalog. If you’re going to be playing guitar in front of some Swifties, this isn’t a bad option to throw in.
“Teardrops On My Guitar”
Country music and the trope of teardrops have gone hand-in-hand since the beginning of the genre’s roots. The most famous instance has to be a track involving tear drops falling into a glass of beer.
Considering her age at the time of writing it, Taylor used this theme for Teardrops On My Guitar. This track is all about that funny, melodramatic high school feeling where things in the love department aren’t quite right.
“Blank Space”
When Taylor came onto the scene with Blank Space, it was clear that country sound was nowhere to be found. Blank Space is a pop song through and through, with little in the way of a guitar to be found.
Unlike many pop songs, Blank Space doesn’t seem as if it has any dated qualities. Instead, Blank Space hits just as hard today as it did when Taylor released it in 2014.
There’s a reason this song has over 3 billion plays on YouTube!
“Enchanted”
Taylor’s track, Enchanted, combines a pulsing chord progression against the backdrop of some synthesizer for a fairy tale effect. By utilizing a looper pedal, you can also simultaneously play the single-strummed chords for a full sound.
“Christmases When You Were Mine”
This list of Taylor Swift songs would be incomplete without mentioning at least 1 Christmas song. Her recording of Christmases When You Were Mine features some sublime fingerpicking on the acoustic guitar.
If nothing else, take care to study the use of melody within the guitar part. It somehow manages to provide both rhythm and lead concepts without crossing the line into one or the other.
“Better Than Revenge”
Taylor’s song, Better Than Revenge (from Speak Now) sounds as if it’s inspired by 2000s emo-punk. The track is saturated with distorted guitars and some tasteful drum fills helping to provide a heavy edge.
If you feel like your ears could use some practice, Better Than Revenge is fairly simple to pick out. The main chord progression is based around B minor, G, D, and A, utilizing both barre and open chords.
Better Than Revenge has some wicked guitar leads for a Taylor Swift song, which does follow the main progression.
Best Taylor Swift Songs On Guitar, Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be a Taylor Swift fan to acknowledge and appreciate her accomplishments as an artist. She has achieved and realized the greatest dream a musician could have while staying relevant throughout the years.
What’s even more astonishing is how she has made so much from songs primarily built from 4-chord progressions. Despite tired relationship lyric tropes and similar chord progressions, Taylor remains considerably fresh in her approach.
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