On Saturday, October 22, 2016, Taylor Swift held her first and only concert of 2016. Many fans were expecting some sort of announcement about her sixth album—though its existence still hasn’t exactly been confirmed. As the concert date fell during the time of year Swift usually releases an album, and she’s been silent on all things album-six so far this year, it seemed obvious that she would use the concert as a platform to drop an album or to merely announce its release date.
However, no such announcements were made.
Though fans who attended the concert seemed to have a great time watching Swift perform new and old hits, as well as Calvin Harris’s “This is What You Came For,” which she co-wrote, it’s hard not to feel a bit of disappointment knowing there won’t be any new Swift music this fall.
In the meantime, instead of listening to the old albums for the thirteen-hundredth time through, here are some of the best lesser-known Taylor Swift songs to jam to. Though none of these songs made it onto an album, they still have Taylor’s classic style of catchy melodies and witty lyrics.
8. "Point of View"
This song was written and recorded very early in Taylor’s career—even before her debut album Taylor Swift which released when she was 16. This song is one of the shortest of her songs at only two minutes, but it’s packed with clever lyrics that show just how talented she was as a songwriter even at such a young age.
7. "One Thing"
This is another early song in Taylor’s career, one of the first in her famous “break-up song” style. It’s sad, slow, and thoughtful, a common characteristic of Taylor’s music.
6. "We Were Happy"
This song is great because it has all the elements of the signature Taylor Swift style. It’s a song about looking back on the good parts of a relationship after it’s over, and its lyrics are original and thoughtful, and the melody is super catchy.
5. "Your Face"
This is one of the most unique of Taylor’s songs, about not wanting to forget someone once they’re gone. Though most of her early music is distinctly country, this song has hints of a rock sound, as well. So, not only is it super catchy, but it’s also interesting to listen to because of the way its style differs from other early Taylor Swift songs.
4. "Tell Me"
This song is one of the catchiest of them all, reminiscent of “Should’ve Said No,” “Picture to Burn,” and “Tell Me Why.” It’s got another trademark of Swift’s—a fast, strumming melody packed with meaningful, catchy lyrics.
3. "Just South of Knowing Why (Drive All Night)"
Though there’s some dispute over the actual title of this song, there’s no arguing against its quality. Like “Your Face,” it’s also got hints of a rock sound in it, which makes it the perfect song to sing along to in the car, an important characteristic of most Taylor Swift songs.
2. "Dark Blue Tennessee"
Often cited as the saddest of all Taylor Swift songs, this is one of the best-quality songs of the unreleased collection. If this song had made it to an album, it probably would’ve been a track 5, joining the likes of “Cold As You,” “White Horse,” “Dear John,” and “All Too Well.” Taylor’s record label representative has often referred to this song as his favorite song that never made it to an album.
1. "I’d Lie"
Although this one was also never released, many fans already love it. Taylor performed it at a festival before the release of her album Fearless in 2008, claiming the song would be featured on the album; however, last-minute changes to the album that got its release date pushed back also got this song voted out. But it still remains a fan-favorite and one of the catchiest Taylor Swift jams of all time.
So, although it seems we won’t be getting any new Taylor music any time soon, we can enjoy these lesser-known songs while we wait.
