What Taylor Swift’s Songs About Mental Health Teach Us: 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health have long resonated with listeners, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is no exception. This rerelease was part of Taylor’s mission to reclaim ownership of her original music. After losing the rights to her first six albums, she began rerecording each one, starting with Fearless. Now, fans can enjoy a refreshed version of 1989, filled with the same nostalgia and emotion as the original but with an even deeper impact.
This blog is part of Council for Relationships’ ongoing series, where we explore Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health and how they relate to important emotional and psychological themes. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) offers valuable insights on everything from handling criticism to learning to let go. Read on to discover the mental health lessons within the album and how they can be applied to your journey.
Jump Ahead
- New Romantics (Taylor’s Version)
- Welcome to New York (Taylor’s Version)
- Wonderland (Taylor’s Version)
- Clean (Taylor’s Version)
Previous Album: Red (Taylor’s Version)
Insights from Taylor Swift’s Songs About Mental Health in 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
The album 1989 is upbeat, energetic, and full of thoughtful moments. The album offers a beautiful collection of songs and shares essential messages about emotional well-being.
New Romantics (Taylor’s Version)
This Taylor Swift Song Teaches Us about Reframing Criticism
In Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health, like “New Romantics,” the lyrics touch on how people fight for attention or popularity, even when there’s room for everyone to be themselves. One of the most powerful lines is, “‘Cause, baby, I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me.” This reflects how people often criticize or belittle others, affecting self-esteem.
Taylor shows how to turn negativity into something meaningful, like her music or the fan base she built. Another key lyric, “The best people in life are free,” reminds us that those who truly matter will love and accept us for who we are. Dealing with criticism and reframing it into something positive takes strength.
The lesson in Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health is to surround yourself with people who accept you for who you are and uplift you rather than tear you down.
Welcome to New York (Taylor’s Version)
This Taylor Swift Song Teaches Us about Finding Belonging
This song is another powerful example of Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health. It promotes the idea of being free to love who you are and find spaces where you feel accepted. When it came out in 2014, it made a statement, especially considering that same-sex marriage wasn’t legal nationwide in the U.S. until 2015. Taylor sings, “And you can want who you want—boys and boys and girls and girls, welcome to New York.”
This line illustrates the freedom to love whomever you choose and the importance of finding places to be yourself fully. In mental health terms, finding spaces and communities where you feel safe and welcomed is essential.
Like other Taylor Swift songs about mental health, “Welcome to New York” encourages us to embrace spaces where we belong and feel free while also working to seek out connections with people who accept us for who we are.
Wonderland (Taylor’s Version)
This Taylor Swift Song Teaches Us about Trusting Your Instinct
In “Wonderland,” another example of Taylor Swift’s song about mental health, we hear Taylor reflect on the risks of being too trusting. The lyric, “I should have slept with one eye open at night,” suggests that she regrets not being more guarded. While trust is vital in relationships, being constantly on edge isn’t healthy.
The line “Didn’t you calm my fears with a Cheshire Cat smile?” hints that sometimes people may appear charming but don’t have the best intentions. Trust takes time to build, and listening to your instincts is important, especially when meeting new people.
This song teaches us a valuable lesson: trust and awareness of how others make us feel are crucial. In Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health, we see recurring themes of learning to protect oneself emotionally while seeking meaningful connections.
Clean (Taylor’s Version)
This Taylor Swift Song Teaches Us about Letting Go
“The rain came pouring down when I was drowning; that’s when I could finally breathe.” “Clean” is another of the powerful Taylor Swift songs about mental health, focusing on the relief and freedom that comes after letting go of a difficult relationship. After holding back her emotions for so long, Taylor finally feels a sense of release.
When she says she can “finally breathe,” it shows the importance of letting go of emotional baggage to find peace. Many people in unhealthy relationships hold back their true feelings, afraid of what might happen if they express themselves. But in a healthy relationship, you should feel safe sharing your thoughts and emotions.
In “Clean,” as with other Taylor Swift songs about mental health, we learn the value of finding freedom in emotional honesty. You shouldn’t have to wait until the end of a relationship to feel free—you should feel that way throughout.
Therapist Meghan Rydzewski, MFT
About Voorhees, NJ, and Philadelphia Therapist Meghan Rydzewski, MFT
Meghan Rydzewski, MFT, is a Staff Therapist at Council for Relationships. Contact her to book a therapy appointment if you’re facing mental health challenges.
Meghan helps people cope with stress and other mental health problems in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Tell your friends and family members to reach out to her for support. She can help you feel good, find happiness, and achieve other personal goals.
Your mental health is important to us. If you are looking for individual, couples, or family therapy or psychiatry services, click here to request an appointment. See our Therapist & Psychiatrist Directory for additional CFR therapists or psychiatrists near you.
If this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
More Expert Voices: Mental Health Blogs from Council for Relationships
CFR’s therapists, psychiatrists, and mental health experts offer valuable insights for NICU moms and families navigating life’s challenges. Visit the CFR Expert Voices blog for expert advice on managing mental health symptoms like bipolar disorder, how mental health disorders interact with other medical conditions, best practices for improving relationships, and more.
If you’re interested in learning more about Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health or other mental health-related topics, be sure to explore additional posts in our series. We’ll dive into how music can reflect emotional well-being and the lessons we can take from it.
Want to stay informed? Join our mailing list for the latest updates on Taylor Swift’s songs about mental health, parenting, and family wellness, or browse more of CFR’s blogs to support your mental health journey.
Taylor Swift Songs about Mental Health: Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift Songs about Mental Health: The Self-Titled Edition