I could talk about the Eras Tour all day every day. I might anyway. And as Taylor herself has admitted on stage, surprise song tracking has become a sport. One I’m fully invested in. So I was curious as to which city had the best surprise songs. And the only way to do that was to go all in and create a mathematical ranking of the Eras Tour surprise songs. So that’s what I did.
The setlist for the tour of the year, Taylor Swift The Eras Tour, consists of 44 songs but when you have a discography as vast as Taylor’s there are still a lot of songs she doesn’t get to sing. That’s why for several tours now Taylor has had the tradition of surprise songs a track that isn’t on the nightly setlist but she sings acoustic. The Eras Tour has two such songs coming near the end of the 3+ hour show. Fans keep track and tune into live streams each night to see what song gets performed. Only once, 3.5 months into the tour has she repeated a song. That was Clean the closing track on Swift’s 2015 album 1989.
So I created a way to mathematically rank the pairings of surprise songs. Here is the scale I used:
- Has The Song(s) Been Sung Live Before (not counting Folklore The Long Pond Studio Session): 0-2 total points
- Was There A Special Guest: 0-1 total points
- Song One: 1-5 total points (this is my personal ranking of how happy I would have been to get the song)
- Song Two: 1-5 total points
- Total: 13 points
Only one night received a perfect score and it’s the one I would have ranked 1st anyway. Below you’ll find an, updated weekly, ranking of the surprise songs sets of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Show dates go from lowest ranked to highest.
Tampa, Florida Night One
Songs: Speak Now (Speak Now), Treacherous (RED)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Speak Now: 2
Treacherous: 3
Total: 5
Speak Now has never been my favorite song, and while I love Treacherous I have seen both these songs live 3 and 4 times so neither of them would have excited me personally.
Foxborough, Massachusetts Night Two
Songs: Question…? (Midnights), Invisible (Debut)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: o
Question..?: 4
Invisible: 1
I would have been fine having Question..? as any song I haven’t heard live would make me happy. Invisible, just not a favorite of mine. So many stronger songs in her catalog that I would rather see performed.
Houston, Texas Night One
Songs: A Place In This World (Debut), Today Was A Fairytale (Fearless TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
A Place In This World: 5
Today Was A Fairytale: 1
Total: 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIOBgV1MmI
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Night 2
Songs: Forever & Always (Fearless TV), This Love (1989)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Forever & Always: 3
This Love: 3
Total: 6
Both of these songs are great. I love Forever & Always as Fearless is my all-time favorite album. This Love is a solid track as well. But I’ve heard both of these songs live a few times, and neither are my top favorite track. A 6 seems a little low, but that’s math I guess.
Arlington, Texas Night Three
Songs: Jump Then Fall (Fearless TV), The Lucky One (RED TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Jump Then Fall: 4
The Lucky One: 2
Total: 6
The only reason I ranked The Lucky One a 2 (I do love the song) is that I have already seen it as a surprise song on the Reputation Stadium Tour.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7hqADKd3uY4
East Rutherford, New Jersey Night Three
Songs: Welcome To New York (1989), Clean (1989)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Welcome To New York: 2
Clean: 4
Total: 6
Listen I like both of these songs, you’ll actually see a 5 for Clean later in these rankings, but this was the first repeat so that unfortunately docked it a point for me. And I love a good jam out to Welcome To New York, I do. But again with a song I’ve heard live, and so has pretty much everyone who has been to a NY/NJ show. Though if I was at the show visiting, I may have given it an extra point, for the tourist factor.
Detroit, Michigan Night Two
Songs: All You Had To Do Was Stay (1989), Breathe (Fearless TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
All You Had To Do Was Stay: 2
Breathe: 4
Total: 6
I debated, changing this to a 5 for Breathe as I do love the song, I love Fearless, and I haven’t ever heard it live before. But there are a number of other songs that are just a little more 5’s for me. So Detroit Night Two ends up as the highest ranked 6.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhXRNfkcJQw
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Night One
Songs: Mr. Perfectly Fine (Fearless TV), The Last Time (RED)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
Mr. Perfectly Fine: 5
The Last Time: 1
Total: 7
I would have loved Mr. Perfectly Fine- a new song, love the upbeat vibes. But unpopular opinion Gary Lightbody does nothing for me and has always made me not love this song. The lyrics and Taylor’s part are fantastic, and I realize he wasn’t at this show. But he has just always made this my least favorite track on RED.
@nightsoline Mr perfectly fine (the eras tour live) - @Taylor Swift #fyp #foryoupage #fypシ #parati #subespañol #nightsoline #lentejas #traduccion #lyrics #lyricsvideo #swiftok #taylorswift #taylorsversion #fearless #theerastour
♬ Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) - Taylor SwiftChicago, Illinois Night One
Songs: I Wish You Would (1989), The Lakes (Folklore)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
I Wish You Would: 3
The Lakes: 4
Total: 7
This was a solid night I wouldn’t be mad about, but wouldn’t make me cry tears of happiness either. It’s not bad, there’s just better to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83T8ovKE5xU
Houston, Texas Night One
Songs: Wonderland (1989), You’re Not Sorry (Fearless TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Wonderland: 4
You’re Not Sorry: 3
Total: 7
Another solid set, and one that I’d be perfectly happy with. Just not ecstatic, and one that I was “marked safe” from. You’re Not Sorry on the piano is an experience all in itself, one she graced us with on the Fearless Tour.
Foxborough, Massachusetts Night Three
Songs: I Think He Knows (Lover), Red (RED)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
I Think He Knows: 4
Red: 2
Total: 7
I would have loved getting I Think He Knows, Lover is one of my favorite albums! Red is another favorite, but not only did I see the Red Tour 3 times I also saw this song live at the CMT Awards and CMA Fest. So I couldn’t rank my potential excitement on having it as a song higher.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Night One
Songs: Gold Rush (Evermore), Come Back Be Here (Red TV)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
Gold Rush: 3
Come Back Be Here: 3
Total: 7
Both of these are tracks I’ve never heard live, and ones I enjoy. But they aren’t my holy grail type of songs. I do love that she confirmed the “Eagles T-shirt” in Gold Rush was indeed a Philadelphia Eagles shirt. Or at least it is now!
Arlington, Texas Night One
Songs: Sad Beautiful Tragic (RED), Ours (Speak Now)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Sad Beautiful Tragic: 3
Ours: 4
Total: 7
I love both these albums, I love both these songs. I was lucky enough to see them both performed multiple times on their respective album’s tour. So they wouldn’t be my first choice for a surprise song.
Detroit, Michigan Night One
Songs: Haunted (Speak Now), I Almost Do (RED)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Haunted: 3
I Almost Do: 4
Total: 7
Another one I’d be perfectly happy with. I don’t love the dark moody vibes as much as some people do- I know it’s many people’s favorite on Speak Now. I have other favorites on that album though. I love I Almost Do, and could have given it a 5.
Atlanta, Georgia Night Three
Songs: I Bet You Think About Me (RED TV), How You Get The Girl (1989)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
I Bet You Think About Me: 5
How You Get The Girl: 2
Total: 8
The only thing that would have made I Bet You Think About Me better would have been a guest appearance by Chris Stapleton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKWbawmpP4k
Las Vegas, Nevada Night One
Songs: Our Song (Debut), Snow On The Beach (Midnights)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
Our Song: 4
Snow On The Beach: 3
Total: 8
I’ve actually had Our Song as a surprise song before, it used to be in heavy rotation. But my nostalgia and love for debut would make me thrilled to have it these days, especially since I would have guessed it would be included on the actual setlist. Still bitter about that.
Atlanta, Georgia Night Two
Songs: High Infidelity (Midnights), Gorgeous (reputation)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
High Infidelity: 5
Gorgeous: 2
Total: 8
High Infidelity was the only acceptable choice for this show that took place on April 29th. I was at this show, and I can promise you I will never not smile and think of this night when I hear it. Gorgeous was the first reputation track performed on the Eras tour. It is one of my favorites off the album, but as the last album Taylor toured for was rep, I would have preferred a song I hadn’t heard as recently (not that 2018 was that recent but still).
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Night Three
Songs: Hey Stephen (Fearless TV), The Best Day (Fearless TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Hey Stephen: 3
The Best Day: 5
Total: 8
Both of these songs mean a lot to me, from the first time I saw Taylor with my mom and when this song was performed which really was “The Best Day” and the countless times we’ve cried to it since. To memories of Taylor coming out into the audience to sing Hey Stephen on the Fearless Tour and at one show coming up to hug me right afterward. I would have cried at both of these songs.
Houston, Texas Night Three
Songs: Begin Again (RED), Cold As You (Debut)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Begin Again: 4
Cold As You: 5
Total: 9
I would have walked away extremely happy with this combination. Begin Again has always been one of my favorite songs off of RED and I can vividly picture driving around in the fall of 2012 listening to it. And Cold As You is a bucket list song to see her sing live.
Arlington, Texas Night Two
Songs: Death By A Thousand Cuts (Lover), Clean (1989)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Death By A Thousand Cuts: 4
Clean: 5
Total: 9
Told you Clean would get a 5 for its first performance. This is an elite pairing for sure, as are pretty much the rest from here on out.
Glendale, Arizona Night Two
Songs: State of Grace (RED TV), This Is Me Trying (Folklore)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
State of Grace: 3
This Is Me Trying: 5
Total: 9
I was also at this show, and while I am slightly jealous at the songs Night One got, I am thrilled I got to hear This Is Me Trying live. That song is so special to me, and has such an incredible message. I’ve already had State of Grace as a surprise song so again wasn’t the top choice.
East Rutherford, New Jersey Night Two
Songs: Holy Ground (RED TV), False God (1989)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Holy Ground: 5
False God: 4
Total: 9
Holy Ground is such an underrated but fantastic song. False God is incredible as well, and this pairing it’s everything. Listen I can’t get every song a 5 even though honestly I kind of want to. This one was close, real close.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpcjXv75uxY
Foxborough, Massachusetts Night One
Songs: Should’ve Said No (Debut), Better Man (RED TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Should’ve Said No: 4
Better Man: 5
Total: 9
There is a list of songs that I would absolutely lose my mind over if I heard. I’m talking sobbing (it’s happened before and there is video evidence of this). Better Man is near the top of that list. And has been since the day I heard the Little Big Town version.
Atlanta, Georgia Night One
Songs: The Other Side of The Door (Fearless TV), Coney Island (evermore)
Live Before: 2
Special Guest: 2
The Other Side of The Door: 4
Coney Island: 4
Total: 10
If I was doing this just on my own some of the previous sets would have been ranked higher. Both of these are solid songs, just not one that will make me cry hysterically from excitement.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Night Two
Songs: Seven w/ Aaron Dessner (folklore), The Story of Us (Speak Now)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 1
Seven: 5
The Story of Us: 3
Total: 10
I didn’t think we could get Seven as the lyrics are spoken in the Folklore set. But would have loved to experience it. The Story of Us is such a fun song to experience live as well.
Chicago, Illinois Night Two
Songs: You All Over Me w/ Maren Morris (Fearless TV), I Don’t Wanna Live Forever
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 1
You All Over Me: 5
I Don’t Wanna Live Forever: 3
Total: 10
You All Over Me with Maren is fantastic and a great surprise song.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Night Two
Songs: Dear John (Speak Now), Daylight (Lover)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Dear John: 5
Daylight: 5
Total: 10
This is probably a flaw in my ranking system as many many people would rank this as one of the best nights. And while yes both songs deserve 5s, I’d still rank others ahead of them. I’m personally shocked she broke out Dear John before Speak Now Taylor’s Verison’s release, but she did so essentially by telling people not to engage with the song’s subject after.
Nashville, Tennessee Night Two
Songs: Out of The Woods (1989), Fifteen (Fearless TV)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest: 0
Out Of The Woods: 5
Fifteen:5
Total: 10
Both of these are 5 stars there is nothing else to say.
Nashville, Tennessee Night One
Songs: Sparks Fly (Speak Now), Teardrops On My Guitar (Debut)
Live Before: 0
Special Guest:0
Sparks Fly: 5
Teardrops On My Guitar: 5
Total: 10
Nashville really won with the songs. Another pair that are easily perfect 5 songs. Plus this was the night that Speak Now Taylor’s Version was announced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlZaJlbpUi8
Tampa, Florida Night Three
Songs: Mad Woman (Folklore), Mean (Speak Now)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
Mad Woman: 5
Mean: 4
Total: 10
Could have given Mean a 5 as well. Mad Woman was at the top of my wishlist so would have been overjoyed to hear it live. It’s one that I relate to, a lot.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Night One
Songs: Paper Rings (Lover), If This Was A Movie (Speak Now)
Live Before: 2
Special Guest: 0
Paper Rings: 5
If This Was A Movie: 4
Total: 11
In a rare occurrence, neither of these songs had been performed live before. Paper Rings was a surprise and one I would have loved to experience. If This Was A Movie was another solid choice.
https://www.tiktok.com/@hcoakley13/video/7248245907752258862?q=paper%20rings%20eras%20tour&t=1687787434092
Nashville, Tennessee Night Three
Songs: Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve w/Aaron Dessner (Midnights), Mine (Speak Now)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 1
Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve: 5
Mine: 4
Total: 11
Another top-tier set of songs. Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve topped many people’s lists. And Mine is one of my favorite lead singles ever.
Las Vegas, Nevada Night 2
Songs: Cowboy Like Me w/ Marcus Mumford (evermore), White Horse (Fearless TV)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 1
Cowboy Like Me: 5
White Horse: 4
Total: 11
Cowboy Like Me, a special guest, and a track 5? Las Vegas you won.
Chicago, Illinois Night Three
Songs: Hits Different (Midnight), The Moment I Knew (RED TV)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
Hits Different: 5
The Moment I Knew: 5
Total: 11
At this point everything is elite. The Moment I Knew is sobbing level for me. And Hits Different it’s such a fun song.
Glendale, Arizona Night One
Songs: Mirrorball (folklore), Tim McGraw (Debut)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 0
Mirrorball: 5
Tim McGraw: 5
Total: 11
Tim McGraw is my all time favorite Taylor song. I missed this matchup by one night and I will always be distraught about that. Mirrorball also describes me life.
East Rutherford, New Jersey Night One
Songs: Getaway Car w/ Jack Antonoff (reputation), Maroon (Midnights)
Live Before: 1
Special Guest: 1
Getaway Car: 5
Maroon: 5
Total: 12
Getaway Car is only amplified by the addition of co-writer Jack Antonoff. Maroon is also a fan favorite and one of the best tracks on Midnights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbs-7B4MBJQ
Tampa, Florida Night Two
Songs: The Great War w/ Aaron Dessner (Midnights), You’re On You’re Own Kid (Midnights)
Live Before: 2
Special Guest: 1
The Great War: 5
You’re On Your Own Kid: 5
Total: 13
The only surprise song set to get a fully perfect score and the one I would have put at the top of this list if I did it 100 percent based on emotion. YOYOK was my top choice for a surprise song, and to pair it with The Great War. Tampa, I don’t think anyone is taking this title from you the rest of the tour.
