I have been a Swiftie longer than any of my three daughters. As a country music fan, I was bopping to ‘Our Song’ while pregnant with my firstborn. When Taylor Swift was in her Fearless era, I took my then-4-year-old to see her live in concert in Toronto because I didn’t know any other 34-year-old Swifties! We had a blast. It was that night that began my first daughter’s love of the pop star right alongside me.
My daughter and I also went to see Swift live on her Red tour, and then, when my second daughter was seven, all three of us went to the Reputation tour. Enter the second daughter on the Swiftie bandwagon. Finally, in 2024, with my third daughter in tow, the four of us were blessed to get tickets for the Eras tour in Toronto. It was definitely a highlight of our year.
There is something special about singing in the car or in the kitchen with your children to your favorite songs. Taylor Swift has created the set list for us. Her music has been the backdrop to many celebrations, hard conversations, and goofy TikTok dances. My four girls and I, like thousands of Swiftie families around the world, have bonded over the beats and lyrics of every single era. In the spirit of this Showgirl era, here are the best Taylor Swift songs for kids according to this Swiftie mom. I’ve chosen THIRTEEN songs, any Swiftie will understand why.
Fifteen – Fearless Era
What this song is about:
Fifteen is about the trials and tribulations of high school, told through the eyes of a teenager herself. Swift wrote this song when she was 18, reflecting on her freshman year alongside her best friend, Abigail. Fifteen is about feeling little in a sea of peers; it’s about thinking you’ve got it all figured out when you are just beginning to figure it out.
Why I love ‘Fifteen’ for Kids:
I love the song ‘Fifteen’ for its honesty. Often, as teenagers, we think we have the world figured out and don’t need guidance from the adults in our lives, but Swift, just a teenager herself, reminds her peers that there is so much they still don’t know. The lyrics, “But in your life, you’ll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team, but I didn’t know it at fifteen,” are a simple yet beautiful reminder for teens. (although currently ironic). “ Fifteen” is a therapeutic listen for tweens and teenage girls specifically, which is why it makes my top 13 Taylor Swift songs for kids.
Mean – Speak Now Era
What this song is about:
‘Mean’ is one of those hard-hitting songs that most of us can relate to. Swift wrote this song in her ‘Speak Now’ era after her rising fame brought out the critics. ‘Mean’ is an anthem to all those critics attempting to take Swift down for her success. I can speculate that, beyond her critics, Swift wrote this for all her peers over the years who were unkind to her. ‘Mean’ is about rising above the hate.
Why I love ‘Mean’ for Kids:
At one time or another, we are all going to come across somebody who acts mean to us. I know I have, and I know my kids have, too. I chose this song on my list of favorite Taylor Swift songs for kids because it shows children that even someone as famous and successful as Swift experiences mean people. The song is a lesson for those experiencing bullying or cattiness that you do not have to tolerate that behavior. As Swift sings, “Someday, I’ll be livin’ in a big ole city, And all you’re ever gonna be is mean. Someday, I’ll be big enough so you can’t hit me, and all you’re ever gonna be is mean.”
Shake It Off – 1989 Era
What this song is about:
‘Shake It Off’ is possibly Swift’s most popular song. If you ask even a non-Swiftie what she sings, chances are they will say ‘Shake it Off’. This song is another message to her critics who criticized Swift for her dancing abilities. Something the singer and songwriter never alluded to being a talent in her wheelhouse. ‘Shake It Off’ is about doing things your own way and not worrying about what others think.
Why I love ‘Shake It Off’ for Kids:
Apart from being just a fun song to dance to, ‘Shake It Off’ is about celebrating uniqueness. It is a song about being yourself and choosing to have fun even if others want to shame you for being you. It is about loving and accepting yourself. This song is a fabulous anthem for kids and adults alike. Reminding us all not to take life so seriously. Happily and as a nod to her critics, Swift sings, “I’m dancin’ on my own, I make the moves up as I go.”
You Belong With Me: Fearless Era
What this song is about:
‘You Belong With Me’ is about the simple girl trying to be seen and heard by her male best friend. It is about feeling unseen because you are not the flashy or fancy type. Swift writes about how, despite being a good, loyal friend, she feels unnoticed by him. She sings to her best friend, basically, ‘hey, wake up, and see what is right in front of you.’…”You Belong With Me”!
Why I love ‘You Belong With Me’ for kids:
Writing this article has been fun as I have been listening to each song to remind me just why I love them. ‘You Belong With Me’ is a dance-in-the-kitchen kind of song. Its lyrics are wholesome and relatable. We all want to feel like we belong. We all have those people who we want to notice us. Its upbeat tempo and simple lyrics make it a fun song to sing along with in the car and, as I said, make a great addition to the Friday kitchen dance party.
Bejeweled: Midnight’s Era
What this song is about:
‘Bejeweled’ is about wanting to feel valued in a relationship. It is about feeling appreciated and loved, and if you are not, remembering that you are still special, ‘bejeweled’. The lyrics talk about being reminded of your ability to shine, even when you have forgotten it for a while. It’s about bringing back your shimmer after you’ve allowed someone to dull your sparkle.
Why I love ‘Bejeweled’ for kids:
‘Bejeweled’ is another upbeat, positive song to bring out to the kitchen dance party. It teaches kids not to let anyone dull their sparkle and reminds them that no one should be allowed to make them feel less than. Swift sings, “Baby love, I think I’ve been a little too kind. Didn’t notice you walking all over my peace of mind. Best believe I’m still bejeweled when I walk in the room. I can still make the whole place shimmer.” All children should feel bejeweled, after all, ‘a diamond has got to shine’.
Opalite – Life Of A Showgirl Era
What this song is about:
Opalite is a man-made gemstone that mimics the appearance of an opal. The song symbolizes making your own happiness. The lyrics talk about overcoming hardships. “But my Mama told me it’s alright, you were dancing through the lightning strikes.” Swift has spoken about this song’s meaning, revealing that she realized she was in charge of her own happiness. ‘Opalie’ is a nod to her current relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce.
Why I love ‘Opalite’ for kids:
A lesson children and adults can learn from this song is that we are in charge of our own happiness. This song exudes happiness and offers kids that light, feel-good tune for their playlist. I also really love when Swift teaches us something random and new. Did I know that opalite was not a natural gemstone? No, I did not. Many of her songs are so rich in history, literature…and now geology.
You Need To Calm Down: Lover Era
What is this song about:
‘You Need to Calm Down’ is a serenade to all those who don’t believe in equality for all beings. It is about gay and trans rights, women’s rights, and ‘loving thy neighbour’. The lyrics are asking those who want to thrust hate at others to simply sit down; the rest of us have you figured out. Swift wrote this as an anthem of love and human equality.
Why I love ‘You Need To Calm Down’ for kids:
We need to start teaching our kids more love and acceptance. There is enough hate in the world right now. ‘You Need To Calm Down’ is the exact type of song we should be sharing with our kids. It is an anti-hate anthem that sends a message of inclusiveness, all while set to a fun beat! I also chose this song for its girl power vibes. Swift sings, “And we see you over there on the internet, Comparing all the girls who are killing it. But we figured you out, we all know now, we all got crowns. You need to calm down.” Yes!
Fearless: Fearless Era
What is the song about:
A timeless song and the namesake of her Fearless album, ‘Fearless’ is about being brave. Although the main story told through the lyrics is one of being fearless in love, I suspect Swift had a grander notion behind the song. ‘Fearless’ is definitely a song about young love and feelings that flow with a new romantic relationship. “And I don’t know how it gets better than this, you take my hand and drag me head first, fearless.”
Why I love ‘Fearless’ for kids:
Although it’s about teenage love, the lyrics are wholesome. In my biased Swiftie opinion, this song is still appropriate for children. It is a positive song about love and the courage to go after what you love. Being ‘Fearless’ can have so many relative connotations for children. When they are feeling scared about doing something new, like making a new friend or starting at a new school, we could offer this song as a ‘walk-up’ of sorts. As it sends a ‘you got this message’, ‘Fearless’ is one of my top Taylor Swift songs for children.
The Best Day – Fearless Era
What is the song about:
‘The Best Day’ is all about childhood. It is Swift’s lullaby to her parents. If you haven’t, by some miracle, heard it, as a parent, you will definitely want to. You may even want to have the tissues close by. With lyrics like, “Daddy’s smart, and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world,” this is a story about Swift’s own relationship with her beloved parents. It is really quite a beautiful peek into a parent-child relationship.
Why I love ‘The Best Day’ for kids:
This song was an easy pick for my favorite Taylor Swift songs for children. It touches on many of our rites of passage as families of young children. “I run and run past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides.” I have sung this song with my own children many, many times. ‘The Best Day’ showcases Swift’s love and appreciation for all her parents did for her growing up, and wouldn’t we all love to hear those words when our children are grown? “I didn’t know if you knew, so I’m taking this chance to say that I had the best day with you today.”
Marjorie – Evermore Era
What is the song about:
‘Marjorie’ is about Swift’s grandma. The song is a tribute to the late Marjorie Finlay, Swift’s maternal grandmother. The lyrics deal with grief, memories, and the lessons she learned from her grandmother. It also speaks to some regrets Swift felt after Marjorie’s passing. “I should have asked you questions. I should’ve asked you how to be,” Swift sings. The song also acknowledges that Swift still feels her grandmother’s spirit guiding her.
Why I love ‘Marjorie’ for kids:
Selfishly, Marjorie is one of my personal favorites, so I had to add to my list of Taylor Swift songs for children. The song itself is beautiful, touching, and at the same time haunting. It holds a beautiful message for our children, allowing them to hear how Swift honors her grandparents. This song teaches kids the importance of being present when their grandparents are around, and reminds us all of how much we can learn from those who walked before us. Finally, this song yields one of my most cherished lyrics, “Never be so politе, you forget your power. Nevеr wield such power, you forget to be polite.” I think those two lines in themselves offer children a powerful message.
The Last Great American Dynasty – Folklore Era
What is the song about:
Swift wrote her Folklore album during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. The album is a narrative of fictional characters that weave around universal themes of love, money, romance, and scandal. ‘The Last Great American Dynasty’ blends facts with fiction. Some say the story is about one of Swift’s homes she purchased around this time, an older mansion perched on the coast. The characters in the song tell a fictional tale about the mansion’s inhabitants and their fate.
Why I love this song for children:
This song is the epitome of brilliant storytelling. And don’t children love hearing a story? ‘The Last Great American Dynasty’ paints a picture of parties and costuming set in a grand mansion on the rocky shore. It evokes imagination as listeners try and figure out the mystery of the people of the ‘Holiday House’. I chose this song for one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs for children because of its imagery and masterful lyrics. “Pacing the rocks staring out at the midnight sea, and in a feud with her neighbour. She stole his dog and dyed it key lime green.”
This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things – Reputation Era
What is the song about:
In her Reputation era, Taylor Swift reinvented herself. Coming back to the spotlight after years of seclusion and healing, Swift launched Reputation as an ode to her new, stronger self. ‘This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things’ is about a friendship that went sour. The song speaks to feeling double-crossed by someone who was once close to you. The song isn’t so much about revenge as about not letting people take advantage of you, and learning from past mistakes.
Why I love ‘This is why we can’t have Nice Things’ for Children:
“Here’s a toast to my real friends. They don’t care about the he-said, she-said, and here’s to my baby, he ain’t readin’ what they call me lately, and here’s to my mama had to listen to all this drama.” Okay, so part of my reason for choosing this song is for that last line. Isn’t it always the mamas that are listening to all the friendship drama? This song can teach kids to stand up for themselves and not allow everyone access into their inner circle. It teaches them that friendships need to be earned. We all have learning to do when it comes to friendships and it starts as children. This song is a fun and edgy ‘toast to the real friends’.
I Can Do It With A Broken Heart – TTPD Era
What is the song about:
Taylor Swift wrote ‘I Can Do It with a Broken Heart’ while on her ground-breaking Eras Tour after suffering a break-up. The song is about how, despite her broken heart, she carried on with her job and commitment to her tour. The song speaks to how most of her fans did not know how she was feeling over this leg of the tour, how her professionalism and strength carried her through each night on stage, even though she was hurting.
Why I love ‘I Can Do it With a Broken Heart’ for children:
This song offers children a message of resilience and strength. It reminds them that they can do hard things. The lyrics, ‘Cause I’m a real tough kid, I can handle it. They said, “Babe, you gotta fake it ’til you make it. And I did,’ are some of my favorites, and I think would really resonate with children. Play this song when kids feel insecure or doubt their abilities. Use it as a pump-up song to invigorate them and boost their spirits—another one of Swift’s hits for the kitchen dance party.
In true Swiftie fashion, this list could only land on the number 13. Taylor’s favorite number and birthdate. I could have gone on with more of my favorite Taylor Swift songs for children, but it seems only appropriate to land here. With four Swifties in the house, her music is a constant here, and I love the bond it has created amongst my children and me. I have tried to pick songs from each of her eras, but I have really focused on the ones that stand out for their positive messages to kids. Whether you are a Taylor Swift fan or not, I hope you take some time to enjoy these top 13 songs according to this Swiftie mom.
