Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, a global phenomenon that ran from March 2023 to December 2024, redefined what a concert tour could be. Spanning 149 shows across five continents, it became the first tour to gross over $2 billion, a testament to Swift’s unparalleled star power. With a setlist of over 40 songs each night, carefully curated to represent her 11 studio albums, the tour was a love letter to her fans, celebrating every era of her illustrious career. A highlight of each show was the acoustic set, where Swift performed two surprise songs, often diving deep into her discography to deliver rare gems and fan favorites. Yet, despite the tour’s exhaustive coverage of her catalog, a handful of songs—six, to be precise—never made it to the stage. These unplayed tracks have sparked endless speculation, emotional debates, and curiosity among Swifties. Why were these songs left out? What do they reveal about Swift’s artistic choices? Let’s explore the songs Taylor Swift never performed on the Eras Tour and why their absence has fans buzzing.

The Eras Tour: A Musical Marathon Like No Other

Before diving into the unplayed songs, it’s worth understanding the sheer scale of the Eras Tour. Each show lasted over three and a half hours, with Swift performing a meticulously crafted setlist that spanned her debut album, Taylor Swift (2006), to her latest release at the time, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). The tour was structured into “eras,” each representing one of her albums with distinct aesthetics, costumes, and vibes. From the pastel romance of Lover to the moody intensity of Reputation, Swift transported audiences through her musical evolution.

The acoustic set, a fan-favorite moment, allowed Swift to showcase her versatility. Armed with just a guitar or piano, she performed two surprise songs per show, often mixing deep cuts, fan requests, and unexpected mashups. Initially, Swift set a rule: no surprise song would be repeated unless she made a mistake or it was from Midnights. However, in February 2024, she scrapped this rule, embracing creative freedom to repeat songs and craft mashups, delighting fans with combinations like “Cornelia Street” and “The Bolter.” By the tour’s end, she had performed nearly every song from her discography—except six. These omissions, though small in number, carry significant weight due to their emotional depth and personal significance.

The Six Songs That Never Made the Cut

The six songs Taylor Swift never performed on the Eras Tour are: “That’s When” and “Bye Bye Baby” from Fearless (Taylor’s Version); “Girl At Home,” “Ronan,” and “Forever Winter” from Red (Taylor’s Version); and “Soon You’ll Get Better” from Lover. Each song’s absence tells a story, whether tied to Swift’s artistic preferences, emotional boundaries, or logistical challenges. Let’s break them down.

1. “That’s When” (Fearless (Taylor’s Version))

“That’s When,” a vault track from Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021), is a duet with country star Keith Urban. Written during the original Fearless sessions in 2008, it captures a young Swift reflecting on a relationship needing space to heal. The song’s gentle melody and Urban’s harmonies give it a nostalgic charm, making its absence surprising. Fans speculate that Swift may have skipped it due to the logistical challenge of performing a duet without Urban, especially since she prioritized solo performances in the acoustic set. Additionally, with Fearless (Taylor’s Version) boasting 26 tracks, Swift may have chosen more iconic songs like “Love Story” or “You Belong With Me” to represent the era, leaving vault tracks like “That’s When” on the sidelines.

2. “Bye Bye Baby” (Fearless (Taylor’s Version))

Another Fearless (Taylor’s Version) vault track, “Bye Bye Baby” is a bittersweet farewell to a fading romance. Its upbeat tempo and reflective lyrics make it a strong candidate for the acoustic set, yet it never appeared. Some fans theorized it could have been a poetic closer for the tour’s final show in Vancouver, given its themes of moving on. However, Swift opted for songs like “Long Live” and “New Year’s Day” to close out the tour, perhaps prioritizing tracks with deeper fan connections. The song’s relatively low streaming numbers compared to other Fearless tracks may also suggest it wasn’t a top priority for Swift, who often tailors her setlist to crowd favorites.

3. “Girl At Home” (Red (Taylor’s Version))

“Girl At Home,” a bonus track from Red (2012) that was re-recorded for Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021), is a curious case. The song, about rejecting a taken suitor, received mixed reactions upon release due to its simpler lyrics and pop-leaning production. For the re-record, Swift revamped it with a punchier sound, but it still ranks among her less celebrated tracks. Its absence from the Eras Tour may stem from this lukewarm reception, as Swift likely prioritized Red heavyweights like “All Too Well” or “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Additionally, some fans believe Swift may avoid the song due to its controversial history, as its original version faced criticism for lacking the lyrical depth of her other work.

4. “Ronan” (Red (Taylor’s Version))

“Ronan” is perhaps the most heartbreaking omission. Written in 2012 and re-recorded for Red (Taylor’s Version), the song is a tribute to a three-year-old boy who died of neuroblastoma, inspired by the blog of his mother, Maya Thompson. Swift, deeply moved by Thompson’s story, collaborated with her on the song, donating proceeds to cancer charities. Swift has performed “Ronan” only a few times, including at a 2012 Stand Up to Cancer event and a 2015 1989 tour show attended by Thompson. Its absence from the Eras Tour is widely attributed to its emotional weight. Performing such a personal and devastating song night after night could be too taxing for Swift, who has spoken about protecting her emotional well-being during the grueling tour.

5. “Forever Winter” (Red (Taylor’s Version))

Another Red (Taylor’s Version) vault track, “Forever Winter” is a poignant reflection on a friend’s mental health struggles, with many fans speculating it was inspired by the loss of Swift’s friend Jeff Lang in 2010. The song’s urgent tempo and pleading lyrics (“Please don’t go”) make it a standout, yet it has never been performed live. Like “Ronan,” its deeply personal nature may explain its absence. Singing about such raw grief in front of tens of thousands could be overwhelming, especially during a tour where Swift aimed to balance joy and introspection. Fans respect Swift’s choice to keep this song private, though many hope she’ll perform it one day in a more intimate setting.

6. “Soon You’ll Get Better” (Lover)

“Soon You’ll Get Better,” featuring The Chicks, is a tender ballad from Lover (2019) about Swift’s parents’ battles with cancer, particularly her mother Andrea’s ongoing fight. Swift has performed it only once, during a 2020 Global Citizen event, and has said it’s too emotionally difficult to sing live regularly. Fans expected it to be skipped on the Eras Tour, given its personal significance and Swift’s candidness about its impact on her. The song’s absence underscores Swift’s commitment to setting boundaries, prioritizing her mental health during a tour that demanded immense stamina.

Why These Songs Were Left Out: A Deeper Look

The unplayed songs share common threads: emotional intensity, niche appeal, or logistical hurdles. “Ronan,” “Forever Winter,” and “Soon You’ll Get Better” are deeply personal, tackling themes of loss, grief, and illness. Performing them repeatedly could risk emotional burnout for Swift, who has spoken about the toll of the tour’s demanding schedule. “That’s When” and “Bye Bye Baby,” as vault tracks, may have been overshadowed by more popular Fearless songs, while “Girl At Home” likely fell victim to its mixed reception.

Swift’s acoustic set was also a strategic space. She used it to highlight songs that resonated with fans, signaled upcoming projects (like re-recordings), or carried thematic weight for specific shows. For example, her final Vancouver show featured a mashup of “Long Live,” “New Year’s Day,” and “The Manuscript,” a nod to closure and reflection. The unplayed songs, while meaningful, may not have fit this narrative arc or garnered the same fan demand as tracks like “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” performed 11 times.

Fan Reactions and Speculation

Swifties have taken to social media to dissect the unplayed songs, with platforms like X buzzing with theories. Some fans lament the absence of “Bye Bye Baby,” seeing it as a missed opportunity for a tour-closing anthem. Others defend Swift’s choice to skip “Ronan” and “Soon You’ll Get Better,” respecting her need to protect her heart. Posts on X highlight the emotional stakes, with users noting that “Forever Winter” could be too raw for a stadium setting. Meanwhile, “Girl At Home” remains a divisive topic, with some Swifties arguing it deserves a live redemption, while others feel it’s best left unplayed.

The speculation doesn’t stop at why these songs were skipped. Fans wonder if Swift might perform them in future projects, like a Red (Taylor’s Version) anniversary concert or a smaller acoustic tour. The Eras Tour’s end has also fueled hopes for Reputation (Taylor’s Version), with some believing Swift held back certain songs to save them for future surprises.

What the Unplayed Songs Reveal About Taylor Swift

The six unplayed songs offer a window into Swift’s artistry and humanity. Her decision to omit them reflects a balance between vulnerability and resilience, a hallmark of her career. By prioritizing her emotional well-being, Swift sets an example for fans, showing that even global superstars need boundaries. The songs also highlight her vast discography, where even lesser-known tracks carry profound stories.

As the Eras Tour fades into history, its legacy endures—not just in the songs performed but in those left unsung. The unplayed tracks remind us of Swift’s depth, her ability to weave personal narratives into universal anthems, and her knack for keeping fans guessing. Whether these songs ever grace a stage, their absence has only deepened Swifties’ love for their idol, sparking conversations that will echo long after the confetti settled in Vancouver.