NEWS
Taylor Swift’s unreleased suicide note song: Tracks the world was never meant to hear including one her co-writer said is ‘the most chilling he’s ever heard’ đź”—
Details surrounding Taylor Swift’s unreleased early discography highlight a darker, more somber side to her teenage songwriting vault.
​At the center of these revelations is “Dark Blue Tennessee,” a track written when Swift was just 15 alongside long-time mentor and collaborator Robert Ellis Orrall.
​”Dark Blue Tennessee”
​Described by collaborators as a bleak, tragic counterpart to “Love Story,” the song reframes the Romeo and Juliet narrative with a tragic ending involving a suicide note.
​The Key Lyric: “She almost called him on the night that he wrote these simple words on his goodbye note.”
​Collaborator Reaction: Orrall recalled Swift’s vocal performance on the demo as “the most chilling he’s ever heard.”
​Why It Was Vaulted: While Swift’s parents both loved the track, Big Machine Records founder Scott Borchetta reportedly deemed the song “simply too sad” for her debut album.
​Refusal to Pass It On: Sony Music discussed having another artist record the song, but Swift personally blocked the release, telling Orrall the track was “very special” to her.
​Other Notable Unreleased Demos
Track TitleCo-Writer(s)Themes & Subject Matter
“Brought Up That Way”Tammy HylerWritten about a real-life acquaintance of Swift’s who was killed by a drunk driver. Considered for her debut, but shelved due to its heavy nature.
“Love the Hell Out of You”Sarah Buxton, Victoria ShawExplores helping a loved one fight severe mental health struggles and inner demons.
“Firefly”UnreleasedFocuses on the painful realization of trying to hold onto someone who is slipping away emotionally.
“Me and Brittany”UnreleasedA reflective look at growing apart from a childhood best friend.