Following an impressive 149 performances on The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift showcased a substantial part of her musical catalog, leaving only eight notable songs unperformed. The tour’s setlist ultimately featured 44 tracks, excluding the acoustic segments where Swift embraced the challenge of playing different songs each night. Additionally, she introduced fresh mashups, typically pulling together around four songs during this part of the show.
At the tour’s inception, Swift implemented strict guidelines for the acoustic segments, vowing not to repeat songs unless she had to redo them due to mistakes. However, as the tour progressed, she began to relax these self-imposed restrictions, choosing to revisit a few fan favorites before proceeding with the mashups. This shift could be attributed to a dwindling roster of new songs for her to perform, yet the eight absent tracks remained untouched throughout the tour.
It’s important to note that the following list focuses solely on her original works, excluding any collaborations during The Eras Tour. Here are the eight songs that missed the setlist:
1 I Heart?
Album: Taylor Swift (Best Buy Digital Download Edition) (2006) / Beautiful Eyes EP (2008)
As one of the 13 songs Swift has never performed live, it comes as little surprise that “I Heart? ” did not make the cut for The Eras Tour. Currently, this track isn’t accessible on streaming services. Originally released as part of the Best Buy digital edition of Taylor Swift, it didn’t see a formal release until its inclusion in the Beautiful Eyes EP in 2008, predating her album Fearless.
Fans have speculated whether Swift will include “I Heart? ” in her upcoming release Taylor’s Version. However, based on her choice of surprise songs during the tour, it seems unlikely. Given the song’s lack of promotion and its origins—penned when Swift was merely thirteen—it is understandable that it wouldn’t be among her priority tracks for live performances.
2 That’s When (Feat. Keith Urban) [Taylor’s Version] [From The Vault]
Album: Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
Another unperformed track from Fearless (Taylor’s Version), “That’s When,”leaves fans speculating over the reasoning behind its absence. As a duet with the talented Keith Urban, there’s a strong possibility that Swift wanted to refrain from performing it solo, despite filling in for absent collaborators in other acoustic numbers. Urban’s significant influence on her early career undoubtedly adds a layer of sentimentality to the song, making it a complicated choice for solo performance.
Moreover, considering the extensive length of Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Swift remarkably played nearly every song from this album, opting instead for tracks that garnered higher demand from fans. This decision further highlights her commitment to delivering a balanced concert experience while prioritizing songs that resonate more with her audience.
3 Bye Bye Baby (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault]
Album: Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
“Bye Bye Baby” is another track from Fearless (Taylor’s Version) that fans anticipated might feature in the concluding shows. Its thematic relevance, especially as a farewell to The Eras Tour, made it a well-theorized choice among fans. However, Swift ultimately prioritized songs she felt more aligned with the tour’s closing sentiment.
An intriguing aspect is that “Bye Bye Baby” is not among the lesser-streamed tracks from the album, yet it still wasn’t selected for performance, possibly due to Swift’s personal preferences for a more curated setlist.
4 Ronan
Album: Red (2013) / Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
The rationale behind not performing “Ronan” during The Eras Tour is abundantly clear. This deeply emotional song pays tribute to Ronan Thompson, a young boy who tragically lost his life to cancer. Swift only performed it twice: during a Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon and at a 1989 Tour concert attended by Ronan’s mother. This context underscores why Swift would not include such a poignant piece in her setlist unless there was a compelling reason to do so.
Given its emotional weight, it’s understandable that Swift didn’t wish to evoke tears during an otherwise celebratory concert atmosphere.
5 Forever Winter (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault]
Album: Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
“Forever Winter” is yet another emotionally charged track that didn’t find its way onto The Eras Tour setlist. Rumored to reflect a personal experience involving a significant loss in Swift’s life, the lyrics convey profound sadness which may have made it challenging for her to perform. Given the darker themes accompanying this song, it likely fell victim to Swift’s decision to keep the mood uplifting and joyful.
With numerous songs from Red (Taylor’s Version) that were well-received, there seems to be a greater fan desire for tracks that invite celebration rather than contemplation.
6 Girl At Home
Album: Red (2013) / Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021)
After re-recording “Girl At Home”for Red (Taylor’s Version), the track sparked a mix of opinions among fans. Some find its lyrics problematic, while others adore its catchy melody. Regardless of the varying reception, this song did not make it to the concert stage.
7 Soon You’ll Get Better (Feat. The Chicks)
Album: Lover (2019)
Similar to “Ronan,” “Soon You’ll Get Better” was influenced by Swift’s mother’s battle with cancer. Given the emotional weight linked to that period of her life, it’s easy to see why she might avoid performing it during the tour. The song encapsulates a very personal story that invites reflection, especially considering Swift’s mother was present at each performance.
Furthermore, the song’s collaboration with The Chicks could have contributed to the decision not to include it, as Swift may have felt the need for their presence to do justice to the track.
8 Christmas Tree Farm
Album: Christmas Tree Farm (Single) (2019)
Lastly, the whimsical “Christmas Tree Farm” is another song that generated speculation among fans regarding its potential inclusion in the final shows, especially with the holiday season approaching. Centered around Swift’s childhood memories, this festive track didn’t fit into the overall theme of The Eras Tour.
Despite hints of a possible performance teased through visual artwork, it ultimately served more as a tribute than a prelude to its performance. Notably, Swift has performed “Christmas Tree Farm” during past events, like the iHeartRadio 2019 Jingle Ball, and it remains available on various streaming platforms.
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