We’ve known it for 18 years at this point. Taylor Swift is an incredible songwriter from her intricate lyrics to catchy hooks. She has an innate ability to relate to her audience- shown from a young age on her debut album in tracks like “Teardrops On My Guitar” and “Tim McGraw” (my all-time favorite song of hers that she has tied once but will never be able to top). Her crafty lyricism is displayed in “Cold As You” another track off that debut album that was released when she was just 16. All these years later it is still one of her most well-written tracks. The hook is “I’ve never been anywhere cold as you”. A teenager wrote that. A teenager. And she has continued to show masterful growth in her songwriting throughout the years though, and one of the things Taylor does better than anyone? Writing a bridge. The Taylor Swift bridges are where she shines the brightest lyrically. But what are the best and most iconic Taylor Swift bridges? In some ways that is an easy question to answer.

What Is A “Bridge?”

But before I do let’s delve a little deeper. What exactly is the bridge of a song? Essentially it connects two sections of the song (i.e. a verse and chorus) but follows a slightly different structure. In terms of Taylor Swift her bridges typically fall after the second chorus. A bridge often features a different tempo than the rest of the song and helps tell the story. And as one of, if not the, greatest songwriters of our generation storytelling is at the heart of every Taylor Swift track.  If you are any sort of Taylor fan you can probably rattle off your favorite right bridge right now.

Taylor can truly do it all when it comes to songwriting- from catchy pop hits like “Shake It Off” and “Anti Hero” to lyrical masterpieces that rip your heart out. There are countless examples throughout her now 18+ year career of this, and she only gets better as time progresses. So while it was hard to narrow down here are 13 (it had to be 13) of the best and most iconic Taylor Swift bridges to date. I expect nothing more than her topping what she has already done with her next release. These are in no particular order, simply the way they came into my head. Enjoy, and if you have these stuck in your head all day, it’s just another example of her genius.

• 1. Cruel Summer

  What better bridge to start this list off than the ICONIC bridge that is the first one we cross on the Eras Tour- Cruel Summer? This “Lover” track is more popular than ever 4 years after its release. And I dare you to listen to this and not want to scream it at the top of your lungs.

  I’m drunk in the back of the car
  And I cried like a baby comin’ home from the bar (Oh)
  Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
  I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
  And I snuck in through the garden gate
  Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)
  And I scream, “For whatever it’s worth
  I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?”
  He looks up, grinnin’ like a devil

   

• 2. All Too Well

  It’s hard to pick a favorite line in All Too Well. And I would have said that before Taylor extended the fan-favorite track and gave us the 10-minute version. But the bridge has always been one that ripped your heart out, and proved to the world how incredible of a songwriter Swift is (though fans had known it for years prior to this track’s initial 2012 release).

  Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much
  But maybe this thing was a masterpiece ’til you tore it all up
  Runnin’ scared, I was there
  I remember it all too well
  And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
  So casually cruel in the name of bein’ honest
  I’m a crumpled-up piece of paper lyin’ here
  ‘Cause I remember it all, all, all

• 3. Champagne Problems

  One thing that a lot of these bridges have in common is that they are heartbreaking. And “Champagne Problems” is no exception to that. Even Taylor teared up during multiple shows of the Eras Tour. And screaming “What a shame she’s fucked in the head” with 80,000 other people is incredibly cathartic if you’re wondering.

  Your Midas touch on the Chevy door
  November flush and your flannel cure
  “This dorm was once a madhouse”
  I made a joke, “Well, it’s made for me”
  How evergreen, our group of friends
  Don’t think we’ll say that word again
  And soon they’ll have the nerve to deck the halls
  That we once walked through
  One for the money, two for the show
  I never was ready so I watch you go
  Sometimes you just don’t know the answer
  ‘Til someone’s on their knees and asks you
  “She would’ve made such a lovely bride
  What a shame she’s fucked in the head,” they said
  But you’ll find the real thing instead
  She’ll patch up your tapestry that I shred

• 4. You're On You're Own Kid

  You’re Own Your Own Kid has quickly risen and is one of my favorite Taylor songs ever at this point. And that’s saying something! The bridge is by far my favorite part of this song and one that is incredibly relatable. Plus it inspired the friendship bracelet trend that look over the Eras Tour and has spilled over to concerts from other artists as well.

  From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes
  I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this
  I hosted parties and starved my body
  Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss
  The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money
  My friends from home don’t know what to say
  I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
  And I saw something they can’t take away
  ‘Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
  Everything you lose is a step you take
  So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
  You’ve got no reason to be afraid

• 5. You're Losing Me

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp-H4_0uESs

  The bridge begins at 3:20

  Why this song, released only on a special edition CD available at the Metlife shows and for a short period of time on her website, hasn’t been completely released I’ll never understand. Like anything Taylor does, I’m sure it’s strategic, but this heartbreaking song about the moments leading up to her and Joe Alwyn’s breakup in DEVESTATING. And the bridge, it had me in tears the first time I heard it. I still feel personally victimized every time I hear it. No matter how many times I listen.

  How long could we be a sad song
  ‘Til we were too far gone to bring back to life?
  I gave you all my best me’s, my endless empathy
  And all I did was bleed as I tried to be the bravest soldier
  Fighting in only your army
  Frontlines, don’t you ignore me
  I’m the best thing at this party
  (You’re losin’ me)
  And I wouldn’t marry me either
  A pathological people pleaser
  Who only wanted you to see her
  And I’m fadin’, thinkin’

• 6. Dear John

  One of the oldest songs included on this list, Dear John almost certainly (though it never has been officially confirmed by Taylor herself) chronicles her relationship with John Mayer. Swift was 19 and Mayer was 32 when the pair dated. Swift addresses this relationship again on her most recent new release Midnights in a track called “Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve”. That bridge also could have been included on this list, but I had to stop somewhere and 13 was the only option.

  You are an expert at sorry and keeping lines blurry
  Never impressed by me acing your tests
  All the girls that you’ve run dry have tired lifeless eyes
  ‘Cause you burned them out
  But I took your matches before fire could catch me
  So don’t look now
  I’m shining like fireworks over your sad, empty town

• 7. Dress

  Another track written about Joe Alwyn that is a little painful to listen to now, but boy doesn’t this one hit. There truly is nothing better than screaming/singing along to a Taylor Swift bridge live.

  Flashback when you met me, your buzzcut and my hair bleached
  Even in my worst times, you could see the best in me
  Flashback to my mistakes, my rebounds, my earthquakes
  Even in my worst lies, you saw the truth in me
  And I woke up just in time, now I wake up by your side
  My one and only, my lifeline
  I woke up just in time, now I wake up by your side
  My hands shake, I can’t explain this
  Ah, ha, ha, ha-ah

• 8. Illicit Affairs

  You know it’s good when Taylor didn’t include this full song on the setlist for the Eras Tour but she did include a moment for the bridge. I feel this one in my bones.

  And you wanna scream
  Don’t call me “kid,” don’t call me “baby”
  Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me
  You showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else
  Don’t call me “kid,” don’t call me “baby”
  Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
  You taught me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else

• 9. Last Kiss

  @camagsamen

  Last Kiss bridge 💜 #fyp #erastour #erastourtaylorswift #kc #kcn2 #concert #taylorswift #speaknowtaylorsversion #taylorswift #taylorsversion #surprisesongs

  ♬ original sound - Claire Magsamen

  One of the shorter ones (bridges not tracks) on this list, but a song that has stood the test of time. It’s heartbreaking. Joe Jonas I’m glad you guys are good now. I really am.

  So I’ll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep
  And I feel you forget me like I used to feel you breathe
  And I’ll keep up with our old friends just to ask them how you are
  Hope it’s nice where you are

• 10. Out of The Woods

  Some of, or in my opinion, the overall best lyrics on 1989 are the ones in the Out of The Woods Bridge. It was in this moment we learned of this wild day in the relationship of Harry Styles and Taylor Swift.

  Remember when you hit the brakes too soon?
  Twenty stitches in the hospital room
  When you started crying, baby, I did too
  But when the sun came up, I was looking at you
  Remember when we couldn’t take the heat?
  I walked out, I said, “I’m setting you free”
  But the monsters turned out to be just trees
  When the sun came up, you were looking at me
  You were looking at me, oh
  You were looking at me
  (Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods yet?)
  (Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods?)
  I remember
  (Are we in the clear yet? Are we in the clear yet?)
  (Are we in the clear yet, in the clear yet? Good)
  Oh, I remember

• 11. Death By A Thousand Cuts

  Even Taylor loves this one so much she chose to sing it twice when DBATC was the surprise song in Arlington Texas.

  My heart, my hips, my body, my love
  Tryna find a part of me that you didn’t touch
  Gave up on me like I was a bad drug
  Now I’m searching for signs in a haunted club
  Our songs, our films, united we stand
  Our country, guess it was a lawless land
  Quiet my fears with the touch of your hand
  Paper cut stings from our paper-thin plans
  My time, my wine, my spirit, my trust
  Tryna find a part of me you didn’t take up
  Gave you too much, but it wasn’t enough
  But I’ll be alright, it’s just a thousand cuts

• 12. August

  If you haven’t seen the TikTok videos of people running to this bridge, you aren’t on the same side of TikTok I’m on. For me it was enough Taylor.

  Back when we were still changin’ for the better
  Wanting was enough
  For me, it was enough
  To live for the hope of it all
  Cancel plans just in case you’d call
  And say, “Meet me behind the mall”
  So much for summer love and saying “us”
  ‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose
  You weren’t mine to lose, no

• 13. Getaway Car

  Sing it with me, you know you want to. This reputation track is one of my favorite from the album thanks to Bonnie and Clyde.

  We were jet-set, Bonnie and Clyde (Oh-oh)
  Until I switched to the other side, to the other side
  It’s no surprise I turned you in (Oh-oh)
  ‘Cause us traitors never win
  I’m in a getaway car
  I left you in a motel bar
  Put the money in a bag and I stole the keys
  That was the last time you ever saw me (Oh!)

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