35 Best Taylor Swift Songs On Guitar – With Tabs

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“Starlight”

Tab

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

Tab

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”

Tab

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”

Tab

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”

“Back To December”

Tab

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”

Tab

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”

Tab

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”

Tab

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

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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”

Tab

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”

Tab

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”

“Picture To Burn”

Tab

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?

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