As shown above, many of these songs I thought were just okay, but nothing too memorable. I’ve enjoyed so many of Taylor’s albums, but this one just fell short for me. I’ve discussed this with many friends, and I’ve come to the consensus that this album is way too break-up and sad for me to understand at this time. That being said, should an album be made for one emotion, or should it be made more universal? I expected at least a few happier or more upbeat songs, but it was so one-toned.

Fortnight (Ft. Post Malone)

• I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary
• I love you, it’s ruining my life

The Tortured Poets Department

• “You’re not Dylan Thomas, I’m not Patti Smith
  This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel, we’rе modern idiots”
• I scratch your head, you fall asleep
  Like a tattooed golden retriever

So Long, London

• I stoppеd CPR, after all, it’s no use
  The spirit was gonе, we would never come to
  And I’m pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free
• My white-knuckle dying grip
  Holding tight to your quiet resentment
• You swore that you loved me, but where were the clues?
  I died on the altar waitin’ for the proof
• And I’m just getting color back into my face
  I’m just mad as hell ’cause I loved this place for
  So (So), long (Long), London (London)

But Daddy I Love Him

• I’d rather burn my whole life down
  Than listen to one more second of all this b****in’ and moanin’
• I’ll tell you something ’bout my good name
  It’s mine alone to disgrace

Florida!!!

• Well, me and my ghosts, wе had a hell of a time
  Yes, I’m hauntеd, but I’m feeling just fine
• Love left me like this and I don’t want to exist

Guilty as Sin?

• Am I allowed to cry?
• Without ever touchin’ his skin
  How can I be guilty as sin?
• They’re gonna crucify me anyway
  What if the way you hold me is actually what’s holy?
• I choose you and me religiously

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• You shit-talked me under the table
  Talkin’ rings and talkin’ cradles
• Are they second-hand embarrassed
  That I can’t get out of bed
  ‘Cause something counterfeit’s dead?
• The coward claimed he was a lion
  I’m combing through the braids of lies
• You’re the loss of my life

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

• He said he’d love me all his life
  But that life was too short
• I’m so depressed, I act like it’s my birthday every day
  I’m so obsessed with him, but he avoids me like the plague

The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

• I would’ve died for your sins, instead, I just died inside

The Alchemy

• This happens once every few lifetimes
  These chemicals hit me like white wine

The Black Dog

• Old habits die screaming
• Six weeks of breathin’ clean air
  I still miss the smoke
• Even if I die screaming
  And I hope you hear it

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• Pick your poison, babe, I’m poison either way

The Albatross

• A rose by any other name is a scandal
• Wise men once read fake news
  And they believed it

Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus

• Hands in the hair of somebody in darkness
  Named Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus
  And I just watched it happen
• If you wanna break my cold, cold heart
  Just say, “I loved you the way that you were”
• Down that passage in time back to the moment
  I crashed into you, like so many wrecks do
  Too impaired by my youth to know what to do

How Did It End

• My beloved ghost and me
  Sitting in a tree
  D-Y-I-N-G

So High School

• Are you gonna marry, kiss or kill me? (Kill me)
  It’s just a game, but really (Really)

I Hate It Here

• Quick, quick, tell me something awful
  Like you are a poet trapped inside the body of a finance guy

​​thanK you aIMee

• And it wasn’t a fair fight
  Or a clean kill each time that Aimee stompеd across my grave
• But when I count the scars, there’s a moment of truth
  That there wouldn’t be this if there hadn’t been you

The Prophecy

• I got cursed like Eve got bitten
  Oh, was it punishment?
• Please
  I’ve been on my knees
  Change the prophecy
• A greater woman has faith
  But even statues crumble if they’re made to wait

Cassandra

• When it’s “Burn the b****,” they’re shrieking
  When the truth comes out, it’s quiet
• They say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you aware”
  What happens if it becomes who you are?
• You can mark my words that I said it first
  In a mourning warning, no one heard

The Bolter

• Started with a kiss
  “Oh, we must stop meeting like this”
  But it always ends up with a town car speeding
  Out the drive one evening
• Ended with the slam of a door
  Then he’ll call her a wh***
  Wish he wouldn’t be sore

Robin

• Way to go, tiger
  Higher and higher
  Wilder and lighter
  For you
• Long may you roar
  At your dinosaurs
• Covered in mud, you look ridiculous
  And you have no idea
• You got the dragonflies above your bed
  You have a favorite spot on the swing set
  You have no room in your dreams for regrets
• The time will arrive for the cruel and the mean
  You’ll learn to bounce back just like your trampoline
  But now we’ll curtail your curiosity
  In sweetness

Sadly, this album gets around a 5.8 out of 10. The amount of songs that felt one note really drove me away from this album, and will likely not get much of a listen from me. With the amount of promotion and advertisement for this album, I was extremely excited, but sadly was let down. If you’re looking for an album full of slow, sad songs, this would be great for you, however, I was not the biggest fan.

Find THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY on most streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, and more!