Five Years Later: Why Taylor Swift’s Overlooked Album Could Be Her Best Yet
Taylor Swift for ‘Evermore’.
Credit: Beth Garrabrant
Taylor Swift’s Evermore Recognized as a Landmark Album on Its Fifth Anniversary
Taylor Swift’s Evermore, released on December 11, 2020, continues to stand out as a pivotal work in her discography. The album debuted less than five months after the success of Folklore, Swift’s critically acclaimed eighth studio album. Swift labeled Evermore as a “sister record” to its predecessor, presenting a more liberated and exuberant approach compared to the more subdued tones of Folklore. Despite the shadow cast by Folklore—which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and garnered significant acclaim—Evermore has carved its own identity.
As the 15-track album celebrates its fifth anniversary, it showcases some of Swift’s most powerful songwriting and immersive soundscapes, evoking images of a wintry retreat. Its thematic unity lends the album a timeless quality, especially resonant during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The essence of Evermore crystallizes in its title track featuring Bon Iver, where Swift reflects on enduring pain, singing, “I had a feeling so peculiar/That this pain wouldn’t be for/Evermore.” This poignant conclusion serves as a cathartic response to the moody themes of heartache and unfulfilled desire that permeate the album.
In exploring these themes, Evermore presents poignant narratives that resonate deeply. In tracks such as “Champagne Problems,” a woman wrestles with feelings of inadequacy rejecting a marriage proposal. In “Tolerate It,” a wife remains in a joyless marriage, waiting for her husband’s validation, while “Happiness” reflects on the end of a long-term relationship. These stories embody an overwhelming sense of distress that looms as if destined to last indefinitely.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore’ album cover.
Taylor Swift/Republic Records
Throughout Evermore, Swift also engages with fictional narratives that explore the concepts of permanence and emotional turmoil. Tracks like “‘Tis the Damn Season” reveal a recurring connection with a childhood sweetheart, while “Dorothea” depicts longing for a lost love. “No Body, No Crime” introduces themes of revenge, showing the multifaceted nature of her storytelling.
As the album progresses, Swift gradually shifts from themes of despair and stagnation toward hope and recovery. In the track “Cowboy Like Me,” she sings, “Forever is the sweetest con,” allowing for a more optimistic perspective. Following this, songs like “Long Story Short” reflect on healing and moving forward, while “Marjorie” pays tribute to her grandmother’s legacy. The album’s closing track emphasizes the message that while pain may be enduring, it need not define one’s life.
Released during a tumultuous time, Evermore offered listeners a chance to confront their personal challenges while simultaneously looking ahead. Five years later, the insights within the album remain relevant, inviting listeners to embrace change and release the burdens of the past.
