Whether or not you’re a fan, it’s unimaginable to disclaim Taylor Swift’s influence on music. With tons of of songs and dozens of hits in her profession, she is a grasp singer-songwriter (and was formally named Billboard’s Girl of the Decade in 2019).
However music isn’t nearly music — it’s in regards to the visible execution, too. And although the age-old saying “don’t choose a guide by its cowl” is mostly true, an album’s cowl can play an enormous position in making it memorable. For Swift, a handful of her largest albums characteristic a number of the most memorable artwork. When 1989 was launched in 2014, for instance, everybody from Swifties to informal listeners tried their recreations of the enduring half-faceless Polaroid cowl. And that album went on to win album of the yr on the Grammys.
On the identical time, not all hit covers are hit albums, and vice versa. So, Billboard determined to rank every of the pop star’s covers since her debut in 2006.
Now, allow us to be clear: this record is barely taking album paintings under consideration. If you happen to’re searching for how the albums stand towards one another musically and lyrically, you’ve come to the improper place. We’re merely taking a look at covers: filters, styling, framing and the way the artistic represents the album as an entire. And, sure, this record is totally subjective, so it’s okay to disagree. No arduous emotions.
Together with each her re-recorded Taylor’s Variations and unique grasp recordings, in addition to that oft-forgotten 2007 Christmas report, see how we rank every of the Swift’s album covers, from worst to greatest, beneath.
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‘Taylor Swift’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Taylor Swift, 2006 — Swift had an actual alternative to introduce herself because the youthful and charismatic singer-songwriter she was for the duvet of her self-titled debut album. However with an oversaturated background and dramatic make-up that ages the 16-year-old into her twenties, we’re high-quality to depart this one in 2006.
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‘Fearless’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Fearless (2008) — Don’t get us improper, Fearless’ cowl had potential. We are able to see this idea as a Dolly Parton or Shania Twain comeback album, however for Swift’s sophomore breakthrough, the artwork feels too mature and retouched.
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‘The Taylor Swift Vacation Assortment’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture The Taylor Swift Vacation Assortment (2007) — The quilt of a younger Taylor’s Christmas album is nothing particular, nevertheless it’s not the worst factor we’ve seen. The gem stones on her face are a pleasant contact to seize her youth, however that guitar hug is a little bit corny.
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‘Evermore’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Evermore (2020) — We are able to respect the continuation of Folklore’s rustic theme for Swift’s second album of 2020. Together with her again in direction of the digital camera — this time going through the woods as a substitute of in it — the Evermore cowl simply isn’t as memorable as its sister.
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Taylor Swift, ‘Lover’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Lover (2019) — Pictured amidst cotton sweet clouds, Swift is sort of godlike as she appears to be like on the world beneath on Lover’s cowl. The album’s aesthetic is a pastel lover’s dream (with vibrant music movies to match), however the Photoshop job makes it really feel extra stylish than timeless.
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‘Purple (Taylor’s Model)’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Purple (Taylor’s Model) (2021) — Swifties can agree that Purple is a fall album, and Swift’s Taylor’s Model cowl completely screams fall. Sitting reflective in an old-school convertible feels so much just like the album’s signature track, “All Too Properly.” The nice and cozy filter and daring crimson lip are positively callbacks to the unique album’s cowl, however we want the comparisons have been a bit extra clear.
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‘Communicate Now’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Communicate Now (2010) — On the duvet of Communicate Now, Swift twirls entrance and middle in a chic purple gown that outlined that period. The main focus is strictly on Swift and we wouldn’t have it every other manner. In spite of everything, she did write your entire album by herself at simply 19.
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‘Midnights’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Midnights (2022) — Placing the tracklist on the duvet was a daring transfer for Midnights. However every little thing from flickering lighter flame to the glittery eyeshadow to the intentional blurriness make the proper visuals for the album Swift describes as “the tales of 13 sleepless nights scattered all through my life.”
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‘Purple’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Purple (2012) — The quilt of Purple could also be easy, however a decade later, it stays considered one of Swift’s most memorable. Not solely did it mark the start of her signature crimson lip, however its heat tones helped cement it an album that’s price revisiting each fall for years to come back.
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‘Fearless (Taylor’s Model)’
Picture Credit score: Beth Garrabrant Fearless (Taylor’s Model) (2021) — Swift took an OK cowl and made it nice for her model of Fearless, the primary album she re-recorded to take full management of her music. In contrast to Purple (Taylor’s Model), the homages to the unique artwork are clear. In distinction to the 2008 model, she appears to be like ahead as a substitute of again — maybe hinting on the many re-records to come back.
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‘Folklore’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Folklore (2020) — Her most indie album thus far, Folklore didn’t want the flowery visuals lots of her former albums had. Standing reflective in a moody forest, Swift’s purpose was easy: to ask us into the dreamworld all of us longed to be in on the top of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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‘Communicate Now (Taylor’s Model)’ (2023)
Picture Credit score: Beth Garrabrant Taylor is not 19 and “too younger to be messed with” on the duvet of Communicate Now (Taylor’s Model). Like Fearless (Taylor’s Model), the duvet will get a recent replace for the re-recorded version that celebrates the unique. She nonetheless dons a flowy purple gown and sports activities the enduring blonde seashore waves of her Nashville days — however as a substitute of turning backwards, the pop star is trying forward, buying and selling her vibrant white backdrop for a complicated gray.
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‘1989’
1989 (2014) — Merely put, the 1989 cowl is iconic. Even half-headless, we will nonetheless make out the pop star due to that signature crimson lip. Additionally, did this period kickstart the 2010s Polaroid revival? In all probability!
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‘Fame’
Picture Credit score: Courtesy Picture Fame (2017) — The quilt of Fame works precisely as supposed. After being the topic of a lot media scrutiny (and to not point out the hordes of snake emojis that flooded her Instagram feedback), Swift is taking maintain of her narrative. In repeatedly writing out her title in her personal headlines, she completes her transformation from America’s sweetheart to… regardless of the hell she needs to be.
