These "1989" Taylor Swift performances are for the eras. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most magnetic, exhilarating, and unforgettable live numbers that show how this Taylor era will never go out of “Style.”
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00:00 "There's one thing you should know about me before we begin. I was born in 1989."
00:05 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most magnetic,
00:10 exhilarating, and unforgettable live numbers that show how this Taylor-era will never go
00:15 out of style. We'll only be featuring performances of songs that appear on her 1989 album,
00:21 though mashups with older songs still qualify.
00:23 "I used to say, 'Ever, ever.'"
00:31 We also sadly have to exclude eras to her performances due to lack of quality footage.
00:36 Number 10. Bad Blood, the 1989 world tour. Before Taylor Swift takes center stage,
00:44 the dancers and music set the scene, channeling the drama we love from her music video.
00:49 But once that spotlight locks onto her, a transformative moment unfolds.
00:53 "Now we got bad blood. You know we used to be bad blood. So take a look what you've done."
01:01 Swift, renowned for her extravagant showstoppers, keeps things relatively
01:05 straightforward this time. Though straightforward in this context is still a magnificent spectacle.
01:10 "Now we got problems, and I don't think we can solve 'em."
01:16 Whether her gaze is on her dancers or the audience, she ensures that we're ensnared by
01:21 every word and utterly immersed in the performance's magnetic vibe.
01:25 The stage is a battleground of emotions, and Taylor seizes it with fierce vocals
01:35 and captivating moves, making it impossible for anyone to ever bear bad blood with her again.
01:47 Number 9. Style, Reputation Stadium Tour.
01:51 Taylor Swift's knack for reinventing her classics is an everlasting charm.
02:02 It's as if her old hits never go out of style. Take this banging version of Style,
02:07 part of a medley from her Reputation Tour.
02:14 Fans went wild for its rockier edge and how Swift commands the stage like the world is her catwalk.
02:20 It's just Taylor, her backup singers and dancers, yet the whole package is dazzling
02:25 and keeps us gripped from the first note to the final beat. Her camera work here is flawless too.
02:31 Don't pretend it hasn't entered your mind to recreate her strut to camera while walking down
02:35 a long street or down the aisles at the grocery store.
02:43 Number 8. All of It. Taylor Swift's 1989 secret session with iHeartRadio.
02:49 Oh, to have been one of the lucky fans selected to witness this exclusive rooftop concert.
03:00 Imagine hearing Welcome to New York while looking over the stunning New York skyline,
03:05 or having excitedly made your way through the concrete jungle to have your breath taken by
03:09 Out of the Woods. And talk about performing in style.
03:20 T-Swift even had the lights on the Empire State Building flash in time to her music.
03:30 Concluding her set with Blank Space and Shake It Off, Swift ended the party on a soaring high note,
03:35 leaving Swifties with an unforgettable core memory, no matter how you tuned in.
03:40 Number 7. Out of the Woods. 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
03:50 At the 2016 Grammys, Swift's opening performance of Out of the Woods had the audience spellbound.
04:03 The stage is transformed into an enchanted forest, with towering tree silhouettes,
04:12 an ethereal mist, and dramatic lighting. As we've mentioned, Swift is known for her
04:17 extravagant showmanship, but here it takes little more than her powerful
04:21 vocals and energetic stage presence to captivate the crowd.
04:30 Collaborating with co-writer, co-producer, and friend Jack Antonoff, who skillfully plays the
04:35 guitar, adds an extra layer of magic. Swift's performance set the stage for a remarkable
04:40 evening where she clinched multiple Grammys, including the coveted Album of the Year,
04:45 proving she's a talented enchantress of music and artistry.
04:56 Number 6. Enchanted and Wildest Dreams. The 1989 World Tour.
05:00 Swift created an enchanted moment for concertgoers, using the number from her
05:11 Speak Now album to elegantly transition into Wildest Dreams, eventually mashing them up.
05:22 Everything from the staging, lighting, and projections to her breathtaking vocals set
05:26 up a dreamlike atmosphere. Even while performing to an audience of many tens of thousands,
05:32 she has this remarkable gift of making her songs feel intimate, almost as if she's singing directly
05:37 to you. The number showcases Swift's versatility as an artist and ability to make her audience
05:49 feel like they're living out their wildest dreams. It's a testament to her ability to
05:53 connect with her fans and provide a unique and immersive experience. We'll remember it forever.
05:58 Number 5. Blank Space. 42nd Annual American Music Awards.
06:16 A song as playful and irreverent as Blank Space offers ample opportunities for creative performances.
06:21 Taylor Swift, in particular, is known for letting her wildest imagination run free during her
06:26 renditions of this song. The performance from her 1989 World Tour is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser,
06:32 but we couldn't pass up a chance to talk about the one at the 2014 AMAs.
06:42 With a stunningly intricate stage design, her performance mirrors the essence of the music video,
06:48 recreating the drama and theatricality that initially captured our entry.
06:52 Taylor received the Dick Clark Award for Excellence that evening.
07:00 If you ask us, she deserves a prize for excellence in practically everything she does.
07:05 Number 4. Style. 19th Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
07:09 From being a role model to an unofficial catwalk model,
07:22 Taylor Swift sure knows a thing or two about trend-setting.
07:25 She's a fashion icon, and she's a fashion icon, and she's a fashion icon.
07:28 In 2014, she embraced the Victoria's Secret Angels as her squad,
07:32 serenading them as they walk to her appropriately titled style.
07:36 "I've got that long hair and slim back, white t-shirt."
07:41 While the fashion is meant to take center stage here,
07:43 Swift effortlessly swipes the spotlight with her charm.
07:46 "Dare I just take me on? Oh, oh, oh, oh."
08:00 Her lively performance brings an element of fun to the luxurious show,
08:03 and no doubt the Angels love having her on stage too.
08:06 Her presence brings something special and unique to the event.
08:10 And yes, she sings like an angel. It remains a true standout moment.
08:14 "We never go out of style. We never go out of style."
08:22 Number three, Blank Space, the Grammy Museum.
08:25 "Every article is like, 'Taylor Swift standing near some guy. Watch out, guy.'"
08:31 Coinciding with Swift's 25th birthday, a Grammy Museum exhibition called
08:38 The Taylor Swift Experience was opened, celebrating the singer's remarkable success.
08:43 "Ain't it funny, rumors fly, and I know you heard of her. So hey, let's be friends."
08:50 In September 2015, Swift delivered an intimate performance at the Clive Davis Theater,
08:55 featuring stripped-back renditions of songs from her 1989 album.
08:59 Her out-of-the-woods performance speaks to something deep in our souls,
09:02 while her vocals on "How You Get the Girl" beautifully soar.
09:05 "This is how it works. It's how you get the girl."
09:11 While this dreams, for its part, has us in a dreamlike trance.
09:14 "Say you won't remember me, standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe."
09:22 But Blank Space encapsulates all the qualities that define Swift as an outstanding performer.
09:27 "So it's gonna be forever, or it's gonna go down in pain."
09:32 She's an exceptional vocalist, a compelling storyteller, and a true master of her talents.
09:38 It also highlights her commitment to embracing her fans as a community.
09:41 "But I've got a blank space, baby, and I'll write your name."
09:46 Number 2. Shake It Off. 31st MTV Video Music Awards.
09:54 Taylor's career underwent a transition with her 1989 album,
10:05 as she shifted from country music and genre-melding tunes to full-blown pop.
10:10 But what remained was the fun, vibrant, high-energy performances we'd come to know and love.
10:15 Once again, she showed impeccable showmanship during her "Shake It Off" performance at the VMAs,
10:25 easily captivating audiences with her stage presence, storytelling, and humor.
10:30 As much as we'd also hesitate to leap from a lofty platform,
10:33 tackling all those stairs and catching our breath just to hit that money note
10:37 sounds like an Olympic-level challenge.
10:39 "No, one second. I don't care if it's the VMAs. I'm not jumping off of there.
10:46 There's all kinds of people getting bitten by snakes. It's dangerous."
10:51 Really, that alone deserves an award.
10:53 We couldn't shake off this performance quickly, but why would we want to?
10:58 "Shake it off, shake it off, shake it off."
11:02 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:08 Clean - Reputation Stadium Tour
11:10 Stunning and full of warmth, this one wrecks us.
11:13 Welcome to New York - Prime Day Concert
11:23 This stripped-down version somehow hits even harder.
11:26 "They never blinded me. Welcome to New York."
11:33 You Are In Love - The 1989 World Tour
11:36 We could really feel the love then, and we still feel it now.
11:39 Blank Space - 35th Brit Awards
11:48 Now that's how you open a show.
11:51 "We are never reckless. They'll take this way too far."
11:55 Welcome to New York - Good Morning America
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12:25 Number 1. Out of the Woods - The 1989 World Tour
12:28 Few songs can ignite an audience like Out of the Woods,
12:36 especially when Swift pours her heart into it as she does here.
12:39 The crowd is transported to a majestic forest, complete with atmospheric lighting,
12:44 soaring paper planes, and Taylor's passionate vocals.
12:47 "I'll be out of the woods."
12:54 Her magnetic charisma brings the song's emotional depth and captivating melody to life.
12:59 She skillfully conveys vulnerability and authenticity
13:03 while lighting up the room with her versatile and powerful voice.
13:06 "You'll never wake, the break's too soon. 20 stitches in a hospital room.
13:11 And you gotta cry, you'll be behind it too."
13:14 Even if just watching it online now, her commanding presence invites us to sing along.
13:19 "Oh, I remember, I remember the ones you told me I'd never forget.
13:23 The ones you told me I'd never forget."
13:26 Some numbers are destined for a big stage, and this one always gives us chills.
13:31 It will forever be a live performance that leaves us enchanted and exhilarated.
13:36 "Every end of the year, in the period, you're..."
13:43 Which Taylor Swift live performance can you never shake off?
13:46 Find a blank space in the comments and write its name.
13:49 "I love you guys, now go party like it's 1989!"
13:52 Do you agree with our picks?
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14:04 [MUSIC]