In the last two decades, Taylor Swift managed to play almost every song in his discography, except the next 13 songs. With 11 studio albums under Swift’s belt, not including her “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings, and countless other EPs, singles, special editions and more, Swift has one of the most impressive discographies in the music industry today. Despite the sheer number of songs that Swift has accumulated, she has still managed to play almost all of them live on at least one occasion, something that the Eras Tour certainly helped her accomplish.
With the “Surprise Songs” set on The Eras Tour, Swift gave herself the opportunity to perform nearly every song from the albums she’s released since embarking on the Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018, including Lover, folklore, always, Midnightand Department of Tortured Poets. Not only that, but her mashups and more have also allowed her to play some deeper songs from earlier in her career. Still, there are 13 songs that Swift has never performed live, before or during The Eras Tour, and here they are all – including songs she was featured on.
13
I heart?
Release date: October 24, 2006
Officially launched as part of it Beautiful eyes EP in 2008, “I Heart?” sees Swift struggling with a recent breakup that left her completely confused about how love works. She acknowledges that she probably should have seen this coming, and that when her ex-partner began to show remorse for his actions, Swift still refused to take him back. Because of all this turmoil, Swift was left with the question of who or how to love, which led her to write the title “I heart question mark” on the back of her hand.
This is certainly a deep cut for Swift, and that alone may be the reason it hasn’t been played live yet. “I heart?” was originally released as an exclusive digital download on their debut album, Taylor Swiftduring its first week of release at Best Buybut would later become a promotional single before Fearless. It could also be that Swift simply has a personal preference for not playing this particular song. Either way, it would be really exciting to hear her play this one day, especially if she includes it on the Taylor Swift (Taylor’s version)).
12
Christmas should be something more
Release date: October 14, 2007
“Christmas Must Be Something More” was released as part of Taylor Swift’s Holiday Collection in 2007, following their self-titled debut album. This song focuses on the true meaning of the Christmas holiday behind all the decorations, gifts, and more, leading up to one central idea: the birth of Jesus Christ. Swift sings about how important it is to recognize Jesus as the reason for the seasonemphasizing that “Christmas should be something more” than simply hanging garlands and wrapping gifts carefully.
The strong religious message in this song may be the reason why Swift never chose to perform it live, especially since Swift is not known as a Christian artist. Her faith was most apparent in her music when she debuted, but As Swift grew and developed her own voice, she began to break out of the religious mold of the country music sphere.. It could, however, simply be a matter of Swift being ready to move on from this holiday collection and not seeing any good reason to bring this particular song back.
11
girl at home
Release date: October 22, 2012
“Girl at Home”, originally included on the deluxe version of Red and now part of the re-recording Red (Taylor’s version)details Swift’s feelings when she was attacked by a man who already has a girlfriend. This, according to Swift, stems from a real-life experience at the time, and through music, she tells this story and expresses her disgust for it – particularly as someone who has been on the other side, as the titular “girl at home .” Swift rejects the man’s advances and reminds him that he is not single and should not act like it.
There’s no obvious reason why Swift hasn’t yet performed “Girl at Home” live. It simply could be that Swift chose to play other tracks from the Red and Red (Taylor’s version) in your place. This is a beloved song, no doubt, but there are certainly others in the Red that have more meaning to Swift, or simply blended better in cases where that was a factor. It’s likely she’ll end up playing this one day, especially if she continues her Surprise Songs tradition on future tours, but until then, she remains unplayed.
10
Beautiful Ghosts
Release date: November 15, 2019
Released as part of the infamous CATS film adaptation, the radio version of “Beautiful Ghosts” is sung by Swift, although it is sung in the film by Victoria actress Francesca Hayward. The song, written and composed specifically for the film, finds Victoria yearning for something bigger and better for her life and her future after hearing Grizabella lament that she no longer has her luxurious past. After living such a lonely life on the streets, Victoria expresses to Grizabella how lucky she is to have something to lose, while she herself has no similar experiences to even reflect on.
It’s easier to understand why Swift hasn’t performed this song live yet. THE CATS the film was not well received, mainly due to the way it chose to bring the titular feline characters to life through partial CGI and therefore This song was somewhat lost among the loudest voices of critics. Swift isn’t usually afraid of such criticism, but it could very well be that she wants to keep this song as part of the film musical itself, and feels that performing it alone, without the music that follows, wouldn’t work. do proper justice.
9
Only young people
Release date: January 31, 2020
“Only The Young” was a significant release for Swift, who had just broken her political silence two years prior in 2018. This song encourages the younger generation to stand up and take control of the political decisions they face, taking what listen. day by day and turn it into action with things like voting. It was released as part of his documentary Taylor Swift: Miss Americanawhich showed a deeper look at how passionate Swift really was to finally use her own voice in the political sphere.
Given the depth of meaning behind this song, it’s again understandable why Swift hasn’t performed it live before. It could simply mean a lot for her to bring to the stage, especially when it was meant to serve as an anthem alongside her documentary. more than anything else. The time to play it live would be before election day in America, which has already passed, so it’s unlikely this one will be played live – at least, any time soon.
8
That’s When (feat. Keith Urban) (Taylor’s version) [From The Vault]
Release date: April 9, 2021
As one of Swift’s first tracks “From the Vault” in Fearless (Taylor’s version)“That’s When” has yet to have its moment to shine in a live performance. Like his other vault tracks, “That’s When” was originally written in 2008 as part of the original Fearless album, detailing an experience where Swift took a step back from her relationship to get space and decide whether or not this is a relationship she can continue to pursue. On the track, Keith Urban sings his partner’s part, debating something similar as they decide whether to move forward or not.
Now being a duet between Swift and Urban, The reason she hasn’t played live yet could simply be that she prefers to perform live with Urban if possible. Swift had a few guests join her on stage during her Surprise Songs set on The Eras Tour, but Urban has yet to be one of them, meaning Swift hasn’t had an ideal opportunity since. Fearless (Taylor’s version) was released to bring this song to life with it. There could be other factors as well, but this seems to be the most likely reason.
7
Bye Bye Baby (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault]
Release date: April 9, 2021
“Bye, bye, baby (Taylor’s version) [From The Vault]” is the last track of Fearless (Taylor’s version))bringing together Swift’s first re-recorded album. It tells the tragic story of Swift trying to deal with an absolutely painful breakup, bad enough that even empty picture frames can evoke difficult emotions. It was especially difficult because she was sure of their future, but the whole time her partner was hesitant, trying to find a way to let her down easily. This song works as a goodbye to him and the relationship that would not last.
It’s hard to say why “Bye Bye Baby” hasn’t yet been performed by Swift live, especially as a solo song, but it could simply be that Swift has chosen to prioritize other songs while performing in the years since the release of Fearless (Taylor’s version). It could also be that, based on the title alone, this is one that Swift is saving for one of her final shows on The Eras Tour. This is also not one of the most popular tracks on “From the Vault”which may be another factor as to why it hasn’t been played live yet.
6
Renegade by the Big Red Machine
Release date: July 2, 2021
Although “Renegade” simply features Swift, she leads vocals on this track, with Big Red Machine’s Justin Vernon (also the lead singer of Bon Iver) only joining her on certain parts. Swift’s frequent collaborator Aaron Dessner is the second half of this bandhence the reason this collaboration came to fruition – with Dessner being a major part of Swift’s two 2020 album releases, folklore and always. “Renegade” finds Swift singing about how mental health issues and anxiety affect a relationship, and how this comes with a desire to care for each other and an understandable amount of frustration.
As many fans speculate that this song may be quite personal regarding Swift’s experience in her previous relationship with Joe Alwyn, who she was dating at the time, it could be that “Renegade” is once again too close to home to actually take the stage. This seems especially true in retrospect, given Swift’s songs from Department of Tortured Poets which document that this is a prevalent problem in the relationship (most notably “So Long, London”). It could, however, simply be because this isn’t Swift’s music and therefore her other songs take priority in live performances.
5
Birch by big red machine
Release date: August 27, 2021
“Birch” is Swift’s second collaboration with Big Red Machine on her 2021 album How long do you think it will last?and as a non-single, it is the lesser known of the two. This song, true to its title, uses images of trees and forests to portray the confusion and uncertainty the narrator is experiencing – whether in a relationship or some other type of situation. Throughout the song, the narrator, with the help of Swift, it seems, makes a realization that transforms his vision, starting with the way they wake up.
It probably wasn’t played live for the same reasons as “Renegade”, in addition to the more personal touch. With Vernon being featured as Bon Iver on Swift’s “exile” and “evermore” folklore and always respectively, Swift is much more likely to play these collaborations with him than this one. In fact, Swift has performed it multiple times on The Eras Tour, and even once performed “exile” live on Bon Iver’s 2022 tour. “Birch,” however, has not yet managed to accomplish the same feat, although it is certainly not too late.
4
Forever Winter (Taylor’s version) [From the Vault]
Release date: November 12, 2021
“Forever Winter (Taylor’s version) [From the Vault]”addresses a heavy topic, allowing Swift to express her concerns about someone in her life who is going through something, likely depression, addiction, or both. Swift sings that she wants to be yours”summer sun forever,” and that if he goes, he will be “forever winter.” Throughout the song, she practically fights and begs them to take care of themselves and get through the fight to the other side, and assures her that she will forever be a constant in their lives.
Songs like these are difficult to record, let alone play in front of a live audience.
It is reasonable to believe that This song is too personal for Swift to perform live, especially if it’s based on someone in her life. Songs like these are difficult to record, let alone play in front of a live audience. Swift might not be ready to bring something so raw and personal to the mic just yet, which is totally understandable. It’s similar to songs like “Ronan” by Redwhich are rarely, if ever, played live for the same reason.
3
The Joker and the Queen (Remix) by Ed Sheeran
Release date: February 11, 2022
Swift teamed up with Ed Sheeran on his track “The Joker and the Queen” for a 2022 remix, a song that details how a relationship ended up working out despite their individual fears about what was to come. Swift is a frequent collaborator of Sheeran, with the two having worked together on many songs beforeperhaps most notably Swift’s “Everything Has Changed” from Red. In this remix, Swift brings Sheeran’s partner to life, expressing her side of the relationship to flesh out the story being told.
Although Sheeran recently joined Swift on The Eras Tour during the Surprise Songs set, this wasn’t one of the songs they chose to play, probably because it’s still technically Sheeran’s song, not Swift’s. Still, the duo have yet to play live outside of The Eras Tour, although their newness may be to blame for that. Anyway, only time can really tell if this will be played live one day or not.
2
National’s Alcott
Release date: April 28, 2023
In yet another collaboration with her peers, Swift teams up with The National on their track “The Alcott,” which was released during their first shows on The Eras Tour. Dessner is also a member of The National, similar to his participation in Big Red Machine, which undoubtedly motivated Swift to join this track. The song is a love story for the wife of The National’s Matt Berninger, with Swift stepping in to provide another voice to flesh out everything he wants to say to her and reflect on. It adds a softness that perfectly completes the track.
This, again, has probably never been played live, not only because it was released during The Eras Tour when Swift was busy enough playing her own shows, but also because she has another song with The National from her own album. always“Coney Island”. It makes sense, then, that Swift would choose to play the collaboration from her own album, rather than one in which she was featured.especially on your own tour. Swift performed “Coney Island” live during the Surprise Songs set, although she performed it as a solo.
1
Cassandra
Release date: April 19, 2024
“Cassandra” is the only song on the Department of Tortured Poetsincluding his anthology, which will not yet be played live on The Eras Tour. The song is inspired by Cassandra from Greek mythology, a Trojan woman who was given the gift of prophecy but was cursed so that no one would believe her. The song appears to compare to Swift’s experience during her infamous 2016 feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, in which the latter recorded a phone call with Swift and edited it to make her look like a liar. It was only years later that the public would finally see his true nature.
Many fans believe Swift is waiting to perform “Cassandra” on The Eras Tour on the day she potentially announces Reputation (Taylor’s version)given how closely this song is tied to the main inspiration behind Reputation. Some even predict that she will mix it up with folklore“mad woman,” another song that likely reflects on her experience during that 2016 drama. Given that Taylor Swift wasn’t afraid to play her track “thanK you aIMee” from the same album, which is clearly aimed at Kardashian, her personal narrative doesn’t seem to be a factor here.