Top 20 Taylor Swift Bridges: Ranked by How Much We Scream Them (In the Back of the Car)
#20: “Back to December (Taylor's Version)” “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” (2023)
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We all may not have experienced our great love yet. But many of us can probably relate to the agony of having “the one who got away.” Swift explores this feeling in her country-pop power ballad from “Speak Now”. We were tempted to include the yearnful pop-punk tune “The Story of Us”. We also considered the rocky “Sparks Fly”. But “Back to December” has one of the best bridges of this self-written album. Swift recounts her memories of a lost lover, listing off the things she loved about him before hoping that he’d return to her, seemingly knowing it’s in vain. No matter your experience with love, you’ll find yourself belting this standout bridge in the car or shower when you’re in your feelings.
#19: “Hits Different” “Midnights (Til Dawn Edition)” (2023)
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When Swift released her concept album “Midnights” after over 15 years of honing her craft, fans knew they were in for something special. The dreamy “Snow on the Beach” has a bridge that acts as the soundtrack to once-in-a-lifetime romances. Meanwhile, the ones featured on 3am tracks “Dear Reader” and “The Great War” spotlight a darker vulnerability. But we can’t deny we’re screaming along to the long-awaited “Hits Different” every time. This upbeat pop track contains a tongue twisting bridge that is both soul-baring and relatable. With lyrics about crying over hats, how could we not fall for it again and again? All we can say is that it certainly hits different.
#18: “Call It What You Want” “reputation” (2017)
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When Taylor Swift returned from a year-long break from the public eye, fans and music analysts alike flocked to her newest album, “reputation” to see what was up to during her sabbatical. The result was a tracklist that shares the excitement and vulnerability that accompany falling in love. “Call It What You Want” combines the best of these two emotions in its soft and endearing bridge, where Swift notably asks her partner to run away with her. It’s a pure, sweet look at a love that isn’t possessive but rather deep and understanding. Fans love the bridge – and its lyrics about donning an initial necklace – so much that it even spawned a trend of Swifties receiving necklaces from their own partners. We’re swooning!
#17: “Daylight” “Lover” (2019)
The “All Of The Girls You Loved Before” bridge became a viral hit among fans on TikTok, and for good reason. But when it comes down to it, we have to give the spotlight to an original “Lover” track here. “Daylight” is everything we love about Swift’s seventh studio album. It’s like a page out a diary, and the bridge is one of the best passages, where she spills her heart into every word as she sings about the joy of finding a love match. One of the few songs on the album written solely by Swift, it’s infused with all the beauty and spirit you can expect from the singer-songwriter.
#16: “Don’t Blame Me” “reputation” (2017)
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Love can make us do crazy things. But you can’t blame us, can you? At least, not if you ask Taylor Swift. According to this “Reputation” track, the power of love is all-consuming and can drive you to do wild things. In an outpour of emotion, Swift spills every ounce of her truth into the lyrics. The bass and synth come together in an electric bridge that will make a believer out of anyone, Swiftie or not. With vocals reminiscent of a church choir, the star finishes off the bridge to lead us into a high…literally. Sure, we can’t hold a tune like her, but we will still try to hit that note in the breakdown every time.
#15: “marjorie” “evermore” (2020)
In a beautiful tribute to the late Marjorie Finlay, Taylor Swift reflects on her childhood and the memories she shared with her maternal grandmother. She recounts advice given to her by Marjorie about staying true to herself and finding the balance between kindness and strength. As the bridge rolls in, she shares her regrets about not fully cherishing the opportunity to get to know her grandmother when she was alive. It’s poignant and nothing short of real. Not only that, the buildup completely draws you in, cranking up the melody and eventually leading to the outro, where the backing vocals of Finlay herself bolster the song’s beauty.
#14: “King of My Heart” “reputation” (2017)
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Taylor Swift can easily be crowned the queen of bridges. And where there is a queen, there is a king – or at least, a song about one. “King of My Heart” is a lesser known track, but a favorite among fans due to its enticing bridge. The mellow beat quickly escalates into the bridge with a sudden change in tempo. In a rap-like rhythm, Swift reveals how she feels that she has met “the one” and no longer has to endure heartbreak now that she has him. The pounding drums add an extra layer to the affair, and give you a beat to tap along to. You’ll find us banging our fists on the steering wheel as we belt this bridge during our morning commute.
#13: “cardigan” “folklore” (2020)
Taylor Swift has become one of the greatest songwriters of her time, with a masterful ability to switch between genres with ease and create songs that withstand the test of time. When it comes to songwriting, “folklore” is a prime example of her talent. For instance, the self-conscious dream pop hit “mirrorball” quickly resonated with fans. And “Betty,” a song about a teenage boy asking for forgiveness, was instantly relatable. But we couldn’t possibly pass up a chance to give “cardigan” and its bridge their due. The wistful number delicately handles the importance of teen romances and the way they stay with us over time. The bittersweet bridge is beautifully written and combines with whimsical melodies and striking vocals to completely entrance us.
#12: “my tears ricochet” “folklore” (2020)
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When it comes to track 5s, we always know we’re in for something good. Indeed, “my tears ricochet” definitely doesn’t let us down. At its core, it’s about betrayal, particularly that which comes from a deeply trusted person in one’s life. Using a funeral as a metaphor, Swift created a dark ballad about the dissolution of a relationship. The bridge erupts as the protagonist of the story realizes they are haunted by this bond, unable to separate themselves from the destruction. The star’s record-breaking “Eras Tour” brought new life to the bridge too, as fans have tried to recreate not only her vocals but her choreography. If you’ve tried to emulate the performance with a bed sheet, just know we’re right there with you.
#11: “Lover” “Lover” (2019)
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If there’s one thing Taylor Swift can do, it’s write a love song for the ages. “Lover” certainly fits the bill. With a guitar-strumming melody and simple lyrics, we fell for this song within the first second seconds. But it was the bridge that really sealed the deal. Written in the style of wedding vows with traditional and modern elements interwoven together, it’s warm and beautiful. Swift builds on the old “something old” rhyme by discussing her and her partner’s past heartbreaks, while promising to be true to one another. Sure, it’s a story we’ve always known. But she expands on it in gorgeous fashion, before closing the bridge with tongue-in-cheek references to dirty jokes and a sweet vow, making it feel fresh and romantic.
#10: “You're on Your Own, Kid” “Midnights” (2022)
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When “Midnights” dropped in 2022, we were introduced to a whole new assortment of songs to fall in love with. “Mastermind” is an honest electro-pop number that takes our breath away. But when it comes to bridges, we’re most drawn to the album’s fifth track. Seemingly following Swift throughout stages of her life and career, “You’re on Your Own, Kid” reveals her early yearning for love, acceptance, and how her experiences matured over the years. As the bridge builds, the singer reflects on lessons she’s learned, namely the importance of figuring out how to be alone, and knowing yourself. It’s a simultaneously beautiful, devastating, and heart-wrenching ode to growing up that we love to passionately sing at the top of our lungs.
#9: “Getaway Car” “reputation” (2017)
Get in, Swifties. We’ve got the keys and we’re making a quick escape in the getaway car. It’s no crime to say that “Getaway Car” is a killer tune. A Bonnie and Clyde story for the modern ages, this track, about a relationship that never stood a chance, pulls you in with its synthy production and conspiratorial lyrics. It’s a standout in a long list of successful collaborations between the singer-songwriter and Jack Antonoff. The bridge perfectly encapsulates all of that, enticing us with a strong admission of betrayal that’s perfectly suited to the number’s stealthy vibe. Whatever the Swift-Antonoff duo put in this bridge, it leaves us coming back for more every single time.
#8: “You Belong with Me (Taylor’s Version)” “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
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For OG and newer Swifties alike, “You Belong with Me” is an oldie but a goodie. Everyone remembers when it dominated the radio back in the late 2000s, and a major part of its charm is its dynamic bridge. Crafted when Swift was 17 or 18, the anthem carries strong themes of romance and adolescence, making it relatable for lovesick teens everywhere. Upon its re-release, those same teens have found that it still holds up. The part sees the narrator proclaim that she’s the one for her crush, if only he could see what’s right in front of him. The fact that we’re still breathlessly shouting these lyrics today says it all. And are you even a Swiftie if you don’t do the double clap?
#7: “Death by a Thousand Cuts” “Lover” (2019)
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When “Lover” came out, fans were excited and eagerly anticipated lots of, well, joyful love songs. Perhaps the last thing anyone expected was for Swift to release one of her saddest breakup anthems yet. Inspired by the Netflix rom-com, “Someone Great”, “Death by a Thousand Cuts” equates the suffering that comes with a breakup to physical harm—namely, a death by slowly bleeding out. Frankly, the pain we feel from the bridge makes us feel the same – but in the best way, of course. Swift quickly lists off the parts of her and her surroundings that are forever affected by the relationship. Don’t be fooled by the upbeat tempo; this part will have you singing along through a thousand tears.
#6: “Dear John (Taylor’s Version)” “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” (2023)
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As far as breakup anthems go, “Dear John” delivers. A perfect blend of hurt and rage, it clocks in at nearly 7 minutes long and doesn’t waste a single second. Singing to an ex, the narrator describes how he treated past partners in the bridge, but assures him she won’t be like them. She’s moving onward and upward before he has the chance to destroy her. Interestingly, it’s been speculated that both “Dear John” and “Midnights”’ “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” are long-lost sisters, with the latter reflecting on the same romance. While they both have bridges that feel like one-heck of a gutpunch, we have to give credit to “Dear John” for laying the foundation and scoring our sleepless post-breakup nights in 2010 and 2023 alike.
#5: “Out of the Woods” “1989” (2014)
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There’s no denying that Swift’s 2014 album “1989” is full of bangers. When “This Love (Taylor's Version)” was released and subsequently used in the first season finale of “The Summer I Turned Pretty”, we fell in love with its bridge all over again. However, there’s no resisting the undeniable magnetism of the pop classic that is “Out of the Woods.” With pronounced synths and background vocals from Jack Antonoff, it’s a hit that is instantly replayable. A reflection on a romance from the past, the bridge describes an accident that parallels the growing shakiness of the relationship. As it escalates, Swift boasts powerful vocals that truly earn her the title of “music industry.”
#4: “august” “folklore” (2020)
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When Taylor announced she was surprise-dropping “folklore,” Swifties everywhere canceled their plans. Upon release, we sat and devoured the album from start-to-finish. With a stacked tracklist, it was nearly impossible to pick one song as a favorite from the first listen. But “august” certainly made an impression on fans, and has continued to stand out. A deceptively upbeat tune, it dismantles the trope of the “other woman” by showing the aftermath of a summer love affair. It takes us into the narrator’s psyche, with the bridge vividly describing her initial hope and subsequent pain when the thread the relationship was hanging by unraveled. When a heartbreak knocks you down, the “august” bridge is always there for a cathartic release of emotions.
#3: “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault]” “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
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The ten minute version of “All Too Well” was years in the making — roughly 10 years, to be exact. Luckily, it was finally released as a vault track on “Red (Taylor’s Version)”, and fans were not disappointed. Building upon the original tune, the ten minute version adds a lot of new depth to the story to poignant effect. Despite the changes, the bridge stays intact, if only amplified in intensity by the new production. Whether you listen to it on its own or consider it in the context of the whole song though, there’s no denying it packs a major punch. Regardless of how many times we hear it, it always leaves us scream-singing and feeling like a crumpled up piece of paper.
#2: “champagne problems” “evermore” (2020)
In the past, Taylor Swift’s private life and career have often been enmeshed, as her writing tends to pull from her own experiences. But the two were separated, at least to a degree, in sister albums “folklore” and “evermore”, where she used her skills to pen more fictional stories. One result was a story about “college sweethearts” torn apart by a rejected proposal. “Champagne problems” quickly became a critical success for its melancholic tune and poignant writing. Chronicling the romance’s demise and its aftermath, the bridge sheds extra light on the relationship, the protagonist’s psyche, and public perceptions of her. The peaceful melody grows more forceful, ultimately erupting. Plus, we’re treated to one of the most effective swears in Swift’s career.
#1: “Cruel Summer” “Lover” (2019)
No Taylor Swift bride hits quite as hard as “Cruel Summer”’s does. This dynamite anthem was a favorite from her “Lover” album. But when it came time to make it a single, there was one thing in the way: a global pandemic. Nearly four years after its release, the recording got single status, giving it and its iconic bridge — which also experienced a resurgence with the Eras tour — time to shine. “Cruel Summer” is an honest depiction of the early precariousness of a new romance. And the bridge holds back no truth. Swift confesses her love, ranting about hidden feelings. With her soul to bear, she stands before her partner and belts it out, to his devilish joy. We love belting alongside her. Which lyrical bridge do you love to cross alongside Taylor Swift? Let us know in the comments!
