To mark her new album news, we’re revisiting The Tortured Poets Department to rank its most-streamed Spotify hits from one of Taylor’s most iconic eras.
A Record-Smashing Release
Back in April 2024, The Tortured Poets Department burst onto our playlists worldwide, immediately breaking Spotify records by pulling in over 300 million plays within the first 24 hours- Iconic.
So what made this album truly special? Critics point to Swift’s meticulous attention to detail, while fans credit its raw emotional resonance — a combination that made it the world’s best-selling album of 2024.
We’re looking back on the official Spotify most-streamed TTPD Songs on the first day release. In 5th place…
5. But Daddy I Love Him ~15.5 million streams
This track blends sweeping folk-rock instrumentation with one of TTPD’s boldest narratives — a defiant love story that shrugs off public judgment and family disapproval. Drawing inspiration from both The Little Mermaid and Swift’s own teenage defiance, it’s been widely interpreted as a pointed response to scrutiny over her romantic life, making it one of the album’s most talked-about songs. At 5 minutes and 40 seconds, it stands as the longest track on the album.
4. So Long, London ~17.2 million streams
Co-written with Aaron Dessner, the track trades upbeat pop for a slow, atmospheric blend of piano and soft percussion. Lyrically, it’s a bittersweet farewell that ties the end of a relationship to the city where it unfolded, with lines highlighting the exhaustion in letting go. Its understated production and relatable heartbreak struck a chord with listeners worldwide, helping it become one of the album’s most replayed ballads.
3. Down Bad ~17.4 million streams –
Built with a steady electro-pop pulse, this song perfectly captures the sting of being love-bombed only to be suddenly abandoned — a feeling many can relate to. Its clever yet careful design leaves listeners feeling both cosmic and completely adrift. Swift’s raw honesty in this track helped it to debut at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place as a global heartache anthem.
2. The Tortured Poet’s Department~19.1 million streams
“The Tortured Poets Department” isn’t just the moody, satirical title track — it also lends its name to the entire album, setting the tone for the record’s themes of irony and self-reflection. Lyrically, it pokes fun at the pretensions of artistic romance, dropping tongue-in-cheek references to Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith, and Charlie Puth. On the album release day, it quickly became a fan favourite for its clever wordplay and the way it encapsulates the album’s playful yet introspective spirit.
1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) – 25.2 million streams
“Fortnight” opens The Tortured Poets Department as its lead single and biggest streaming triumph, pulling in a staggering 25.2 million Spotify plays on release day — the highest single-day total for any song in the platform’s history. Featuring Post Malone, the track perfectly blends steady percussion with emotive vocals to create a timeless ballad. The collaboration was a major talking point ahead of the album’s release, with Post Malone’s harmonies adding a textured depth that resonated with both fanbases. No wonder it became the album’s biggest streaming triumph, breaking Spotify’s all-time single-day record- a title it still holds to this day!
Some Honourable TTPD mentions…
The Smallest Man Who ever Lived
A complete stand track, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived perfectly embodies how Swift is able to turn themes of heartbreak into cultural conversation. TikTok fans flooded the app with raw reaction videos alongside detailed analysis explainers unpacking its most shocking lyrics. The online discourse around it has kept the track trending long after release, proving just how strongly Taylor is able to resonate with her audiences.
I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
This song was widely understood as Taylor’s candid refection on performing through personal pain and the ongoing struggle of heartbreak during the Eras Tour. Fans on TikTok immediately latched onto the relatable lyrics, turning it into a viral sound that has amassed over 160,000 videos! The confessional honesty of this song.
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” gives us a glimpse of what Taylor might explore next in The Life of a Showgirl album. If this song is any indication, the new album will dig deeper into the pressure, glamour, and vulnerability that come with living life as a performer in the public eye.
As The Tortured Poets Department proved, Taylor Swift has a rare ability to turn personal stories into global moments. With The Life of a Showgirl now on the horizon, fans are bracing for another chapter that will see Swift open up on the highs and lows of nearly 20 years in the spotlight…
The Countdown is well and truly on!
days
hours minutes seconds
until
The Life Of A Showgirl Album Release
This Feels Timely 
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