- 2 months ago
Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of Taylor Swift’s artistry and impact on pop culture! From the hidden gems in “The Life of a Showgirl” to the songs that hit you right in the soul, we explore the iconic outfit changes, electrifying live performances, and even Taylor’s hilarious moments on Saturday Night Live. Join us as we take a deep dive into the multifaceted world of one of music’s biggest icons!
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00:00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we are putting the spotlight back on Taylor Swift,
00:00:09celebrating the moments and the looks that made pop culture history.
00:00:13And we're starting with all the hidden details in the life of a showgirl.
00:00:19They know that this all points to, you know, current art, past art, or future art.
00:00:25That's pretty much the realm of the Easter egg thing.
00:00:28Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Easter eggs
00:00:33hidden throughout Taylor Swift's show-stopping album, The Life of a Showgirl.
00:00:37Thank you. Thank you for appreciating that the album cover is a reference
00:00:42to the famous Ophelia painting, which then ends up being referenced in the music video.
00:00:51Number 10, Kept It 100, The Fate of Ophelia.
00:00:58Move aside, heartbreak, it is clear to anyone that Swift's 12th album declares itself a love letter.
00:01:05Track by track, she weaves her real-life muse, fiancé Travis Kelsey, throughout the lyrics,
00:01:11starting with the album opener.
00:01:12I heard you calling on the megaphone. You want to see me all alone.
00:01:20The first verse nods to their 2023 meet-cute when Kelsey famously called her out on his podcast, New Heights.
00:01:27I was disappointed that she doesn't talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice
00:01:32for the 44 songs that she sings. So I was a little butthurt I didn't get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her.
00:01:39But in a playful twist, the chorus reveals that Kelsey joined the Easter egg game, too.
00:01:44The lyric, Keep It 100, doesn't only tie to the sum of Swift's favorite number and Kelsey's jersey number.
00:01:50Yeah, like, I'm 87 and she's 13.
00:01:53Yeah, literally it's that simple. Just numbers.
00:01:56And 100.
00:01:58Yeah, 13 plus 87 equals 100. That's numerology.
00:02:01It also calls back to an Instagram post from July.
00:02:05We're well-versed in Swift's hidden clues, but this one? Touchdown, Travis.
00:02:10Do you not keep it 100 ever?
00:02:12I'm trying to. I attempt to.
00:02:15It's crazy that you don't.
00:02:17Number 9. Violet Eyes, Elizabeth Taylor.
00:02:20It's no secret that Elizabeth Taylor has been a longtime inspiration for Swift.
00:02:32Scrutinized everything she ever did.
00:02:34She kept making more and more daring art.
00:02:39Like, it's almost like the more polarizing people were about her.
00:02:43She first paid homage to the Hollywood legend in her 2015 Wildest Dreams video.
00:02:47Then, again, in 2017's Ready For It, there's a nod to Taylor's whirlwind romance with Richard Burton.
00:02:58Her latest dedication takes it a step further.
00:03:03The song sparkles with tributes to the starlet's legacy,
00:03:06a hook that references Taylor's famous violet eyes.
00:03:09A nod to Cartier, the brand behind the watch Swift wore at her own engagement.
00:03:17Even a wink to White Diamonds, a perfume by Taylor herself.
00:03:27Fans have even linked the track back to Paper Rings,
00:03:30where Swift once traded gems for genuine love.
00:03:33Swift has weathered her fair share of cancellations over her nearly 20-year career.
00:03:54A doctored phone call from Kanye West sparked such intense backlash in 2016
00:03:59that she was driven out of the spotlight,
00:04:02only to return stronger than ever with her album reputation the following year.
00:04:06Look what you made me do.
00:04:08Look what you made me do.
00:04:10Look what you just made me do.
00:04:12Look what you just made me do.
00:04:13So it's no surprise that she stands fiercely by friends facing similar scrutiny.
00:04:17Come with me when they see us, they'll run.
00:04:20In Cancelled, Swift slips in a sly mention of Gucci,
00:04:27the same brand her friend Brittany Mahomes wore to the U.S. Open.
00:04:30Though both have faced criticism for their friendship,
00:04:33Swift seems to make her stance clear on where her loyalties lie.
00:04:36Number seven, New Heights, Wood.
00:04:44Tucked in the latter half of the track list lies a four-leaf clover,
00:04:48a rare mix of upbeat, dance-worthy pop and, shall we say, innuendo.
00:04:52And I have this idea about, like, I ain't got to knock on wood,
00:04:56and we would knock on wood, and it would be all these superstitions.
00:04:59And it really started out in a very innocent place.
00:05:03Swift croons about finding her one true love.
00:05:05Comparing past heartbreaks to black cats.
00:05:08But listeners were quick to pick up on the double entendre slipped between the lines.
00:05:12Forgive me, it sounds cocky.
00:05:14Amatize me and open my eyes.
00:05:17Redwood tree, it ain't hard to see.
00:05:19Among the playful nods to fiancé Travis Kelsey is a shout-out to his podcast, New Heights.
00:05:24Do you feel cocky?
00:05:25Do you feel cocky about the song, Wood?
00:05:28No.
00:05:29No?
00:05:30Any song that, you know, she references me in.
00:05:33That's not just any song.
00:05:35It's very, like, I don't know.
00:05:36This is a very specific you.
00:05:38Not only did Swift unveil her album cover on an episode back in August,
00:05:42but credits the show for bringing them together.
00:05:44I'm just circling back to New Heights to say thank you for this.
00:05:48Yes.
00:05:48Look at this.
00:05:49I'm the luckiest man in the world.
00:05:51Like the song, the podcast itself turned out to be a lucky charm itself.
00:05:55Number 6, Scott Borchetta, and later change in perspective to be Taylor, father figure.
00:06:01You made a deal with this devil, turns out my dick's bigger.
00:06:072025 was a monumental year for Swift.
00:06:10After fighting for over half a decade, she finally reclaimed her masters that were sold by Scott Borchetta back in 2019.
00:06:16And while we might not be getting Reputation, Taylor's version, anytime soon,
00:06:21this song serves a sweet taste of vindication.
00:06:24From the moment the track was announced,
00:06:26rumors swirled about a possible sample of George Michael's 1987 hit of the same name.
00:06:31I will be your father, baby, with your tiny hand in my hand.
00:06:35While Michael received writing credits for the hook,
00:06:38Swift transforms the rest into something entirely her own.
00:06:41I'll be your father figure.
00:06:44The song unfolds as a power struggle between protege and mentor,
00:06:50a theme that feels all too familiar.
00:06:52But I also really have completely related to the protege perspective in so many of these situations, right?
00:07:01Like I relate to the younger one, like when I'm listening to this song.
00:07:06But by the final chorus, the message is driven home.
00:07:10Swift will always protect the family.
00:07:14Even like me
00:07:16Number 5. Redefined All of Those Blues, Honey
00:07:20For years, Swift has written of a love that turns heartache into harmony.
00:07:32And with this album, it feels as though she's finally found it.
00:07:35Her joy radiates through subtle yet unmistakable callbacks to her previous lyrics.
00:07:40Long known for using color to paint emotion, she has often lingered in shades of blue.
00:07:44Losing him is blue like I've never known.
00:07:48Missing him is dark gray all in love.
00:07:52Even in her previous record, The Tortured Poets Department, the color was brushed across a melancholic canvas.
00:07:58You sacrifice us to the gods of your bluest days.
00:08:02But here, the blue finally softens.
00:08:05Even her view on pet names has changed.
00:08:07Such a nice color on you.
00:08:08Yes, I know. It's the color of your eyes, sweetie.
00:08:12That's why we match so well.
00:08:13Once dismissed as petty or passive-aggressive, she sees them now as warm and affectionate.
00:08:19Proof that the same words can mean something entirely new when spoken by the right person.
00:08:29Number 4. Jeff Lang
00:08:32Ruin the Friendship
00:08:33Many expected this album to revel in the glitter of the era's tour or celebrate Swift's romance with Travis Kelsey.
00:08:44But track 6 takes an unexpected detour as a tender reflection on a missed opportunity.
00:08:49When I left school, I lost track of you.
00:08:52Abigail called me with the bad news.
00:08:55Goodbye.
00:08:57Longtime fans were delighted to hear a shout-out to Abigail Anderson,
00:09:00Swift's best friend, who first appeared in 2008's 15.
00:09:04You sit in class next to a redhead in Abigail
00:09:08Soon enough, you're best friends
00:09:11But the song's subject leaves the deepest mark.
00:09:14Regretfully recalling a crush she never pursued,
00:09:16we learn that the person has since passed away.
00:09:19Yesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends.
00:09:24And he was 21.
00:09:26And I used to play my songs for him first.
00:09:29So I would like to thank Jeff Lang
00:09:32Listeners speculate the track pays tribute to her late school friend, Jeff Lang,
00:09:36thought to have inspired Forever Winter.
00:09:38Too young to know it gets better
00:09:42I'll be summer, summer forever
00:09:45Whoever it honors, the message remains
00:09:48to take the leap and to never leave the question unanswered.
00:09:52My advice is always ruin the friendship
00:09:56Number three, Opal, Opalite
00:09:59Attention, hopeless romantics, this one's for you.
00:10:09This track feels like stepping into the sun after a storm.
00:10:12Can you react to certain situations in a way
00:10:15that benefits you and the people around you
00:10:18and essentially, like, acquire wisdom because of it?
00:10:22And so Opalite is a song about, like,
00:10:24kind of forgiving yourself for having gone through something
00:10:26that didn't pan out the way you wanted it to.
00:10:28What a simple thought.
00:10:30It also happens to be one of Travis Kelsey's favorites,
00:10:32and it's not hard to see why.
00:10:34With its buoyant rhythm and carefree lyrics,
00:10:37it's the kind of song that will have you dancing down the street,
00:10:40singing along in the car,
00:10:41and bopping your head at your desk.
00:10:43Guilty on all three counts.
00:10:44But there may be another reason why Kelsey loves it.
00:10:48The song is inspired by him.
00:10:50Opalite, a man-made gem that mimics Opal,
00:10:53nods to the October-born athlete's birthstone.
00:10:55I had written down the word Opalite
00:10:57because I learned that it's actually a man-made Opal.
00:11:01Like, Opal can be man-made just like diamonds,
00:11:03and so Travis's birthstone is an Opal.
00:11:07The handcrafted stone is a beautiful ode
00:11:09to their handcrafted love.
00:11:11Number 2, Charlie XCX, Actually Romantic.
00:11:15Rolled me a song saying
00:11:17it makes you sick to see my face.
00:11:21A showgirl's life is never short on sparkle or scandal.
00:11:25True to form, Swift has stirred up a flurry of speculation
00:11:28over her album's most biting track.
00:11:30Fans zeroed in on Charlie XCX as the target.
00:11:33The brat singer appeared to throw the first jab
00:11:35with Sympathy is a Knife,
00:11:37a song rumored to take aim at Swift.
00:11:39This one girl tops my insecurities.
00:11:43Don't know if it's real or if I'm spiraling.
00:11:46Charlie's now-husband performs in the 1975
00:11:49alongside Swift's ex, Maddie Healy,
00:11:51and she alludes to avoiding Healy's girlfriend backstage.
00:11:54Don't wanna see a backstage of my boyfriend's show.
00:11:58Fingers crossed behind my back,
00:12:00I hope they break away.
00:12:01In her rebuttal, Swift references a former flame
00:12:04who ghosted her,
00:12:05then ties it back to an enemy who reveled in the fallout.
00:12:08High-fived my ex
00:12:09and then you said you're glad he ghosted me.
00:12:13Some theorize the track is about Kim Kardashian,
00:12:16who once mailed out Valentine's to haters.
00:12:19Whoever it's about,
00:12:20it's clear that Swift's pen is still sharp.
00:12:23Hadn't thought of you in a long time,
00:12:26but she keeps sending me funny Valentine's.
00:12:29Before we unveil our top pick,
00:12:31here are a few honorable mentions.
00:12:33The track list.
00:12:34When stacked vertically,
00:12:36the track list forms the silhouette of the Ares Tour stage.
00:12:39The shape of the track list
00:12:40makes the same shape as the Ares Tour stage.
00:12:44Okay.
00:12:45Wow.
00:12:45So that was a real one.
00:12:48That was one that it took a while for them to discover.
00:12:50In her phone,
00:12:51a resurfaced clip seemingly shows Kelsey
00:12:53telling his ex to put away her phone.
00:12:56I wouldn't have to go on social media.
00:12:58Get off your phone.
00:12:58Get off your phone.
00:12:59I wouldn't have to get on social media
00:13:00and seek validation.
00:13:02We're not even drinking.
00:13:03We're not even drinking.
00:13:03We're not even drinking your wine.
00:13:05You were in it for real.
00:13:09She was in her phone.
00:13:11You were just opposed.
00:13:13Taylor's Hideaways.
00:13:14Swift name drops Portofino and the Plaza Athenay,
00:13:17favorites of Elizabeth Taylor.
00:13:19That view of Portofino was on my mind
00:13:24when you called me at the Plaza Athenay.
00:13:26Number one,
00:13:28Ophelia,
00:13:28The Fate of Ophelia.
00:13:30And if you'd never call for me,
00:13:33I might have drowned in the mountain calling.
00:13:37Swift is no stranger to Shakespearean tragedies.
00:13:41In fact,
00:13:41it was a revisionist tune about Romeo and Juliet
00:13:44that earned her one of her first major hits.
00:13:46Marry me, Juliet,
00:13:47that you never have to be alone.
00:13:50Almost 20 years later,
00:13:52Swift is drawing inspiration from another heroine,
00:13:55Ophelia.
00:13:56Prince Hamlet's lover is doomed by the narrative,
00:13:58falling victim to madness that results in her death.
00:14:01Love was a cold bed full of scorpions.
00:14:05The venom stole her sanity.
00:14:08But Swift is saved in the nick of time by her own prince,
00:14:12or rather,
00:14:13a football player.
00:14:14Following her forlorn album,
00:14:16The Tortured Poets Department,
00:14:17Swift is ready to cast away her blues
00:14:19and accept the love she has sought her whole life.
00:14:22The accompanying music video draws parallels to the tragedy
00:14:25through the famous John Everett Malay painting,
00:14:27showing how Swift has finally escaped her doomed fate.
00:14:30You saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia.
00:14:37It's best you grab a tissue,
00:14:40because our next list is going to be looking at
00:14:43tailored tracks that hit you right in the soul
00:14:45and make you cry the saddest of cries.
00:14:48Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:14:59And today, we're counting down our picks
00:15:01for the Taylor Swift songs
00:15:02that will have you clutching a tear-soaked pillow.
00:15:09Number 10.
00:15:10Back to December, Taylor's version.
00:15:12I'm so glad you made time to see me.
00:15:16How's life?
00:15:17Tell me how's your family?
00:15:19We've all heard that same old tired line
00:15:21about Taylor's songwriting,
00:15:23that she only ever sings about hating her ex-boyfriends.
00:15:26Back to December was an early rebuttal
00:15:28of these shallow critiques,
00:15:29serving as an emotional effusive apology
00:15:32to a spurned partner.
00:15:33This is me swallowing my pride
00:15:35Standing in front of you
00:15:37Saying I'm sorry for that night
00:15:41Actor Taylor Lautner has gone on the record
00:15:44claiming that Back to December is about him.
00:15:46And if so, we desperately want to know
00:15:48the Taylor squared lore that led to this song being made.
00:15:51To be clear, we're not complaining.
00:15:53Back to December is one of Taylor's
00:15:55hardest-hitting breakup songs.
00:15:56I go back to December,
00:15:59turn around and make it all right.
00:16:02Swift said herself in a pre-Speak Now interview,
00:16:05There was someone who was absolutely wonderful to me
00:16:08and I dropped the ball
00:16:09and I needed to say all that.
00:16:11Now, dear John, on the other hand.
00:16:13See it all now that you're gone
00:16:18It feels almost impossible to believe
00:16:33that Speak Now was released
00:16:34when Swift was just nearing 21 years of age.
00:16:37Her heart-wrenching Last Kiss lyrics
00:16:39belie her youth,
00:16:41demonstrating the powerful wisdom
00:16:42of someone years older.
00:16:44Never thought we'd have a last kiss
00:16:49Last Kiss is an emotional gut punch,
00:16:52hitting you squarely in the chest
00:16:54with its recounting of a painfully unexpected breakup.
00:16:57The song captures the unresolved longing
00:16:59and heartache that come with a left-field parting,
00:17:02when you're left to pick up the pieces
00:17:03while your ex-partner seems to be
00:17:05Mr. Perfectly Fine.
00:17:07Reckoning has long been one of Taylor's specialties.
00:17:09I feel you forget me
00:17:13like I used to feel you breathe
00:17:17Swifty or not, chances are you've heard of this one.
00:17:32Rumors swirled for years around this stirring anthem,
00:17:35with fans claiming that an extended version
00:17:37with even juicier verses
00:17:38had been withheld from Swifties.
00:17:40Taylor indulged fans by releasing
00:17:42the now-famous 10-minute version of All Too Well
00:17:45alongside other re-recordings from Red.
00:17:52And ask any Taylor fan,
00:17:54the nearly decade-long wait was well worth it.
00:17:57All Too Well quickly went from underrated fan favorite
00:18:00to yet another one of her signature songs.
00:18:03The new All Too Well is the rare sequel
00:18:05that improves upon the original,
00:18:07even more bittersweet, open-hearted,
00:18:09and tear-jerking this time around.
00:18:19Number 7.
00:18:21You're on your own, kid.
00:18:22We mentioned a little earlier that Taylor is no stranger
00:18:32to the music industry,
00:18:34with her first album having been released in 2006.
00:18:37But we've almost never heard her address her meteoric rise to fame
00:18:40in such stark, unambiguous terms.
00:18:50Compared by music critics to songs like
00:18:52You Belong With Me,
00:18:54Fifteen,
00:18:54and Hey Steven,
00:18:55You're on your own, kid,
00:18:56finds Taylor openly reflecting on how her fame has,
00:18:59for better or worse,
00:19:00changed her pre-existing relationships.
00:19:03The song is an uncomfortable reminder
00:19:04that nothing lasts forever,
00:19:06and sadly, but inevitably,
00:19:08all good things have to come to an end
00:19:10in order for new doors to open.
00:19:13You're on your own, kid.
00:19:13You always have been.
00:19:15Number 6.
00:19:16Champagne Problems.
00:19:18You put the night train for a reason
00:19:21So you could sit there in this room.
00:19:26Over the course of her career,
00:19:28Taylor became known not only for her mastery of songwriting,
00:19:31but also for her expansive,
00:19:33maximalist instrumental arrangements.
00:19:35However, when it came to folklore and Evermore,
00:19:38the Champagne Problems singer took a radically different approach.
00:19:47This was, of course, partially necessitated
00:19:49by the limits imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
00:19:53While we could have gone with
00:19:54Tolerate It or Right Where You Left Me,
00:19:56this song stands as a perfect example
00:19:58of Swift's attempt at a more minimal sound,
00:20:01consisting only of her vocals
00:20:02and a bare-bones instrumental courtesy of co-producer Aaron Dessner.
00:20:06That decision allows Taylor's vocals
00:20:08and rich, deeply felt songwriting to shine through
00:20:11and leave us reaching for the nearest box of Kleenex.
00:20:14Your heart was glass, I dropped it, champagne problem.
00:20:19Number 5.
00:20:20Soon You'll Get Better, featuring The Chicks.
00:20:22The buttons of my coat were tangled in my hair
00:20:27In doctor's office lighting
00:20:29This lover, Deep Cut,
00:20:31co-written and co-produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff,
00:20:34is a heart-rending tribute to the singer's mother, Andrea.
00:20:37Specifically, the song conveys Swift's hopeful optimism
00:20:39regarding Andrea's multiple cancer diagnoses over the years.
00:20:43Ooh, and soon you'll get better
00:20:47Even if you've never dealt with the disease on a personal level,
00:20:50it's almost impossible to stay unmoved
00:20:52by the lyrics of Soon You'll Get Better,
00:20:54which describe the difficulty Taylor faces
00:20:56with her mother's illness and mortality.
00:20:59Featuring gorgeous backing harmonies
00:21:00courtesy of country legends The Chicks,
00:21:02Soon You'll Get Better finds Taylor
00:21:04revisiting her roots in more ways than one.
00:21:06And get better soon
00:21:08Cause you have to
00:21:12Number 4.
00:21:14LOML
00:21:15Who's gonna stop us from waltzing back into rekindled flames?
00:21:20No one has ever faulted Taylor for being too relatable.
00:21:24LOML, a low-key highlight from the tortured poet's department,
00:21:27laments the demise of an all-too-brief relationship.
00:21:30We were tempted to go with So Long London and The Prophecy,
00:21:33both from this album.
00:21:34Please, I've been on my knees
00:21:38Change the prophecy
00:21:40That said, through her raw, bluntly sentimental songwriting,
00:21:45LOML is like a four-and-a-half-minute journey
00:21:47right into her thought process.
00:21:49The song proves that,
00:21:50even after nearly 20 years in the limelight,
00:21:53Taylor Swift still has a remarkable gift
00:21:55for poetically describing her feelings of heartbreak.
00:21:58Clearly, Taylor knows better than anyone else that sometimes,
00:22:01wallowing in your sadness is the first and most crucial step to healing.
00:22:06If you know it in one glimpse, it's legendary
00:22:10Number 3.
00:22:12My Tears Ricochet
00:22:13Reportedly the first song written for Folklore,
00:22:24My Tears Ricochet finds Swift taking a stab at addressing her feud with Scooter Braun
00:22:28and Big Machine label head Scott Borchetta.
00:22:30However, the song is less about Braun and Borchetta specifically,
00:22:33and more about Taylor's bitter, conflicted feelings on the matter.
00:22:36I didn't have it in myself to go with grace
00:22:43Said Swift of the song, quote,
00:22:45All of a sudden, this person that you trusted more than anyone in the world
00:22:48is the person that can hurt you the most.
00:22:50Then all of a sudden, the things that you have been through together hurt.
00:22:53My Tears Ricochet demonstrates Taylor's singular ability to make her pain feel universal.
00:22:58Check out This Is Me Trying if you're looking for a good cry in the shower song.
00:23:02I just wanted you to know
00:23:05But this is me trying
00:23:07Number 2.
00:23:09Marjorie
00:23:10Never be so kind
00:23:12You forget to be clever
00:23:14Did you think you were out of the woods yet?
00:23:18Another addition to Swift's canon of songs about female family members,
00:23:22Marjorie is a tribute to her maternal grandmother Marjorie Finley,
00:23:25an opera singer by trade.
00:23:27The song finds Taylor mourning Marjorie,
00:23:28as well as lamenting the fact that she couldn't get to know her better.
00:23:32And if I didn't know better
00:23:34I think you were
00:23:37Talking to me now
00:23:39As such, Marjorie's chorus consists of a series of affirmations,
00:23:44life lessons from Taylor's grandmother to her.
00:23:46Featuring uncredited backing vocals from Bon Iver's Justin Vernon,
00:23:50the song's empowering nature is underscored by the bittersweet realization that its namesake
00:23:54didn't live to hear it.
00:23:55What died didn't stay then
00:23:58What died didn't stay then
00:24:00You were alive, you were alive
00:24:02Before we unveil our top pick,
00:24:05here are a few honorable mentions.
00:24:07Better Man, Taylor's version from The Vault
00:24:09But I just miss you
00:24:11And I just wish you were a better man
00:24:16Bigger Than The Whole Sky
00:24:17Bye, goodbye, goodbye
00:24:19You were bigger than the whole sky
00:24:22Exile featuring Bon Iver
00:24:24You were my town
00:24:25Now I'm in exile
00:24:27Seen you out
00:24:29White Horse, Taylor's version
00:24:31Now it's too late for you
00:24:34And your white horse
00:24:36To come around
00:24:38You're Losing Me
00:24:39Stop
00:24:40You're Losing Me
00:24:43Stop
00:24:44You're Losing Me
00:24:47Number 1
00:24:48Ronan, Taylor's version
00:24:50I remember your bare feet
00:24:53Down the hallway
00:24:55Oof, it's gonna be hard to get through this entry without tearing up, but we'll try.
00:25:00Although it might not be the number one you would have expected,
00:25:02we think you'll understand the logic behind placing Ronan at the top of our list.
00:25:07For this song, Taylor found inspiration from blogger Maya Thompson,
00:25:10whose three-year-old son Ronan tragically died from neuroblastoma,
00:25:14a cancer of the nerve tissue, in 2011.
00:25:16Come on baby with me, we're gonna fly away from here
00:25:22Of course, writing a charity song intended to benefit the families of children with cancer
00:25:27is a noble pursuit.
00:25:28But how does one capture the feeling of mourning a child
00:25:31without having experienced it first-hand?
00:25:33Taylor answered this difficult question by sourcing the song's lyrics straight from Thompson's blog.
00:25:38Ultimately, that's Taylor's superpower,
00:25:41her seemingly endless well of empathy.
00:25:43I love you to the moon and back
00:25:48Do you agree with our picks?
00:25:50Which Taylor song makes you weep the hardest?
00:25:52Nobody does a stage transformation quite like Taylor Swift.
00:26:05So let's count down the best costume changes that had fans screaming the loudest.
00:26:10We are never, ever, ever getting back together
00:26:16Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:26:19And today, we're counting down our picks for the times Taylor Swift swapped or altered an outfit in front of our eyes.
00:26:25You did not come in regular outfits tonight.
00:26:29You are in ensembles.
00:26:31You are in costumes.
00:26:35Number 10.
00:26:36The Man.
00:26:37The Heirers Tour.
00:26:38Come to think of it.
00:26:41Let me just try something.
00:26:43After a mesmerizing performance of Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince and Cruel Summer,
00:26:56Swift fully milked this moment of glory in the most beautifully cheesy fashion.
00:27:00You just made me feel so...
00:27:04So powerful.
00:27:06She gave a speech about feeling powerful, and then, with the assistance of one of her dancers,
00:27:15donned the most dazzling blazer known to mankind.
00:27:18With a truly iconic line, she launched into the man.
00:27:21I guess what I'm trying to say is, you're making me feel like I'm the man.
00:27:28I would be complex.
00:27:30I would be cool.
00:27:31Of course, like all good eras to her outfits, this one came in a variety of colors, each as stunning as the last.
00:27:38Plus, it acted as a perfect symbol for what the song represents, encapsulating her strength.
00:27:43Number 9.
00:27:45Medley.
00:27:4547th Annual American Music Awards.
00:27:48And I'm so sick of them coming at me.
00:27:52Because if I was a man, then I'd be the man.
00:27:56This 2019 award show saw Swift winning Artist of the Decade, and thus performing a medley of songs.
00:28:02She began with the man, while dressed in a long white shirt emblazoned with the names of each of her albums.
00:28:08A group of supremely talented young girls then came on stage and danced with her before the music stopped.
00:28:13The shirt then came off, the little ones left, and we were treated to a sparkling golden bodysuit.
00:28:19It perfectly matched the era transition as Love Story began to play.
00:28:22You'll be the prince, and I'll be the princess, and it's a love story, baby, just say yes.
00:28:31Later in the same performance, Swift added a pink and gold cape to her outfit, ending the medley with a gorgeous rendition of Lover.
00:28:38Can we always be this close?
00:28:44Forever and ever, and I take me out, take me home.
00:28:50Number 8. Surprise Songs. The Era's Tour.
00:28:54Welcome to the acoustic set.
00:28:56The surprise songs were perhaps the most anticipated moment of every Era's Tour show,
00:29:01so it's only right that Swift included an outfit change to mark the moment.
00:29:04Initially taking place after the 1989 set, and then coming post the tortured poets department,
00:29:09the moment had audiences holding their breaths.
00:29:12It's just so much fun to get to play, and to get to experiment, and to get to grow as an artist.
00:29:15A dress was waiting handy, and she'd change into it with help from her dancers on stage.
00:29:20These garments underwent many variations as the tour progressed and went through different legs,
00:29:25but they were always standouts.
00:29:27Fans would howl with excitement seeing which piece was chosen for their night,
00:29:31and which deadly surprise song combos would follow.
00:29:33I looked around in a blood-soaked gown
00:29:37And I saw something they can't take away
00:29:41Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
00:29:46Number 7. Should Have Said No.
00:29:4843rd Academy of Country Music Awards.
00:29:51Yesterday I found out about you
00:29:54Even now just looking at you
00:29:57Feels wrong
00:29:58We're going all the way back to 2008 now
00:30:04with a performance of Should Have Said No
00:30:05at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
00:30:08Even at the age of 18, Swift knew how to put on a show.
00:30:11You should have said no
00:30:13You should have gone home
00:30:14You should have thought twice
00:30:16Will you let it all go
00:30:17You should have known it were
00:30:18But put you deep in her
00:30:20Get back to me
00:30:21The initial outfit doesn't exactly give a signature T-Swift vibe,
00:30:25with her hoodie largely hiding her iconic blonde curls.
00:30:28But this was all to make the quick change extra impressive.
00:30:32As the chorus ended,
00:30:33a pair of dancers gripped the signs of the star's outfit
00:30:35and tore it away in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment.
00:30:49Swift tilted the microphone
00:30:50as people rightfully cheered for her newly revealed black dress.
00:30:54Number 6. Change
00:30:5645th Academy of Country Music Awards.
00:30:58You know it's all the same
00:31:01Another time and place
00:31:03Repeating history
00:31:05And you're getting sick
00:31:07It's only right that a song with this title
00:31:10includes an outfit change.
00:31:12At the 2010 ACMs,
00:31:13Taylor descended from above
00:31:15in a white, flowy dress
00:31:16in angelic fashion,
00:31:17typified by the hallelujah in the lyrics.
00:31:19There's something in your eyes
00:31:22There's something in your eyes
00:31:22There's where you can see this
00:31:23Cause these things will change
00:31:26Can you feel it now?
00:31:28She reached up to her shoulder
00:31:30and tore away the ensemble,
00:31:31able to then walk through the crowd
00:31:33in a black top and pants.
00:31:34The moment brought a new level of excitement from the crowd
00:31:50and put an infectious smile on Swift's face
00:31:53as she made her way to the stage.
00:31:54We can't think of any way to describe this
00:31:56other than epic.
00:32:06Number 5.
00:32:08I Knew You Were Trouble
00:32:09The Red Tour
00:32:10This performance was full of quirky outfits
00:32:25with its masquerade ball aesthetic.
00:32:27Swift began in a floor-length gown.
00:32:29As the second verse came to an end,
00:32:31she was lifted by her dancers
00:32:33before being placed down as the room went dark.
00:32:35In a matter of seconds,
00:32:37she was revealed to be in a black bodysuit
00:32:39as the lights returned.
00:32:40The joke is on me, yeah, yeah
00:32:44I Knew You Were Trouble
00:32:46when you wanted
00:32:47The high-energy music matched the mood-slash-outfit change perfectly.
00:32:52This transition felt as though it represented
00:32:54a shift from innocence to maturity,
00:32:55and we love seeing this growth represented visually through clothes.
00:32:59I Knew You Were Trouble
00:33:01when you wanted
00:33:02Trouble, trouble, trouble
00:33:05Number 4.
00:33:07Midnight Rain
00:33:08The Era's Tour
00:33:09My town was a wasteland
00:33:12Pull the cages full of fences
00:33:14Pageant queens and different tenders
00:33:16But the sun was bright lights
00:33:20With its synthesized vocals,
00:33:22Midnight Rain offered the perfect moment
00:33:24for a mid-tune outfit change.
00:33:26At the end of Lavender Haze,
00:33:27Swift's fluffy jacket came off
00:33:29to spotlight her large t-shirt dress,
00:33:31and she gave us a killer rendition of Antihero.
00:33:34It's me, hi
00:33:36I'm the problem, it's me
00:33:38She then began Midnight Rain on a platform up above her dancers.
00:33:43As her singing paused, ready for the first chorus,
00:33:45she let herself fall into their arms.
00:33:48He was sunshine, I was midnight
00:33:50Umbrellas surrounded her, creating a sense of mystery,
00:33:54while a solo performance by Sam held the audience's attention.
00:33:57When the second verse began,
00:33:59Swift emerged, now in a bodysuit,
00:34:02summoning a new wave of cheers from the crowd.
00:34:04It came like a postcard
00:34:07It's a perfect shiny family
00:34:09Holiday, put them in candy
00:34:11But my hair met sudden die
00:34:15And yes, she was sparkling
00:34:17Number 3
00:34:19You Belong With Me
00:34:20Fearless Tour
00:34:21You can see that I'm the one who understands you
00:34:25Been here all along
00:34:27So why can't you see me
00:34:31It seems this song has been used by Swift quite often
00:34:38when it comes to onstage outfit changes, and we can see why.
00:34:41At the 2009 VMAs, she performed in a subway station,
00:34:45losing a hat and trench coat to reveal a red dress beneath.
00:34:48At the CMT Awards, she replicated the imagery of the music video,
00:34:52going from nerd mode to full glam.
00:34:54She also basked in the cheers that followed her plain black shirt,
00:34:57giving way to a gold dress at Sound Relief.
00:34:59Think you know where you belong
00:35:01Think you know it with me
00:35:04This energy was all fully encapsulated at the Fearless Tour,
00:35:16where the singer's majorette uniform was torn away.
00:35:18In its place was a shining, tasseled dress.
00:35:21The microphone tilt only heightens this moment's iconic status.
00:35:24You belong with me
00:35:27Have you ever thought just me
00:35:29Maybe you belong with me
00:35:34Maybe you belong with me
00:35:37Number 2. Love Story, Fearless Tour
00:35:41See the lights, see the party with ball gowns
00:35:45See you make your way through the crowd and say hello
00:35:50Once upon a time, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve featured Swift braving the cold to show off her sparkly dress.
00:35:57That isn't the only memorable fashion swap love story has seen, however.
00:36:00At the Fearless Tour, having started the number in a big red gown reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet,
00:36:05she joined her dancers for the second verse and chorus.
00:36:08After the bridge, they crowded around her and the lights dimmed, concealing her.
00:36:22The music and applause then began to swell as she emerged in a gorgeous wedding gown complete with headpiece.
00:36:27The fairy tale imagery of this moment truly encapsulated the Fearless era wonderfully.
00:36:44Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
00:36:48Karma, The Era's Tour
00:36:50A perfect end to a perfect show
00:36:53But could we have one more song's worth of your time?
00:36:55We are never ever getting back together, Taylor's version, The Era's Tour
00:37:15A seamless transition after the 22 hat
00:37:17Dress
00:37:29Reputation Stadium Tour
00:37:31She does exactly as the song says
00:37:33It was an indentation
00:37:34And you're shaking your head
00:37:37Only about this dress so you could take your head off
00:37:41Imagine more about me
00:37:42A golden tattoo
00:37:44All about this dress so you could take your head off
00:37:49Enchanted and Wildest Dreams
00:37:51The 1989 world tour
00:37:53From dress to bodysuit in epic fashion
00:37:55Give it in and it's just the time
00:37:58Wildest dreams
00:38:01Oh
00:38:01Oh
00:38:02Oh
00:38:03Oh
00:38:04It's like you're sparking
00:38:07Don't you let it go
00:38:09Don't you let it go
00:38:11Blank Space
00:38:1342nd Annual American Music Awards
00:38:15Swift rocks those tassels
00:38:17Keep your second guess
00:38:19Like
00:38:19My God
00:38:20Who is she
00:38:22I get drunk
00:38:23My jealousy
00:38:24But you'll come back
00:38:25Each time you leave
00:38:27Cause darling I'm right there
00:38:28Dressed like a daydream
00:38:29Number one
00:38:31I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
00:38:32The Era's Tour
00:38:33Even when you wanna die
00:38:36He said he loved me all his life
00:38:39This outfit change
00:38:40Where Swift was undressed by her dancers
00:38:42And convinced to put on a show
00:38:44Isn't just iconic for its visuals
00:38:46But also for its depth
00:38:47Before singing about the struggle
00:38:49Of giving every performance her all
00:38:51Despite being heartbroken
00:38:52And emotionally exhausted
00:38:53Swift acted as though
00:38:55She didn't want to carry on
00:38:56I was grinning like I'm winning
00:38:58I was hitting my marks
00:39:01Cause I can do it
00:39:02With a broken heart
00:39:04Dancers Cam and Young
00:39:05Weren't having it though
00:39:07Once the outfit was complete
00:39:08With her white dress being swapped
00:39:10For a two-piece
00:39:10The music started
00:39:12And she switched into performer mode
00:39:14For a song that encapsulates
00:39:15The era's tour itself
00:39:17Swift went all out
00:39:18Serving full theatrics
00:39:20I'm miserable
00:39:21And nobody knows
00:39:25And who could forget
00:39:28The London performance
00:39:29Where Travis Kelsey himself
00:39:30Became part of the show
00:39:31Sending fans into a frenzy
00:39:34Do you have a favorite outfit change?
00:39:36Or perhaps a song you think
00:39:37Deserved one?
00:39:45Okay, goosebumps are guaranteed
00:39:47For our next list
00:39:49Because these are performances
00:39:51Where Taylor didn't just sing
00:39:53She electrified the audience
00:39:55Welcome to Ms. Mojo
00:40:05And today, we're counting down
00:40:07Our picks for Taylor Swift's
00:40:08Live performances
00:40:09That sent our chills
00:40:10Into their overdrive era
00:40:11If you needed a performance
00:40:26To prove why Taylor Swift
00:40:28Is an elite tier artist
00:40:29This is it
00:40:30Just her, her guitar
00:40:40And that breathtaking instrument
00:40:41She calls her voice
00:40:42When you can emote so powerfully
00:40:44Through sound
00:40:45Nothing more is needed
00:40:46Here, Swift pours her heart
00:40:48Into a breakup song
00:40:49So raw and painful
00:40:50It aches
00:40:51Our songs, our films
00:40:52United we stand
00:40:53Our country
00:40:54Guess it was a lawless land
00:40:56Crying fine fears
00:40:57At the touch of your hand
00:40:59The track was inspired
00:41:00By the Netflix rom-com
00:41:01Someone Great
00:41:02A film that profoundly moved her
00:41:04Even seeping into her dreams
00:41:06She later discovered
00:41:07That the film's creator
00:41:08Jennifer Caton Robinson
00:41:09Had worked on the script
00:41:10While listening to 1989
00:41:12Particularly clean
00:41:14What makes this performance
00:41:15Unforgettable
00:41:15Is its simplicity
00:41:17Stripping everything away
00:41:18To create an experience
00:41:19That feels universally relatable
00:41:21I asked the traffic lights
00:41:23If it'll be alright
00:41:24They say I don't know
00:41:27Number 9
00:41:29Ronin
00:41:30Stand up to cancer
00:41:31Given the inspiration
00:41:33Behind this number
00:41:34It's hard not to feel moved
00:41:35No matter where or how
00:41:37You hear it
00:41:37I remember your bare feet
00:41:39Down the hallway
00:41:41I remember your little laugh
00:41:45What makes it even more powerful
00:41:47Is that Swift performed it
00:41:48At the stand up to cancer
00:41:49Televised charity event
00:41:50Her voice carries so much emotion
00:41:52And you can see it in her eyes too
00:41:54As she recounts
00:41:55The grieving mother's blog posts
00:41:57That inspired the song
00:41:58Come on baby with me
00:42:00We're gonna fly away
00:42:02From here
00:42:04Honestly, we don't know
00:42:06How she managed to get through it
00:42:08Without breaking down
00:42:09We could barely see her
00:42:10Through our own tears
00:42:11It's a heartfelt tribute
00:42:12To a life cut tragically short
00:42:14And Taylor pours
00:42:15Every ounce of herself
00:42:16Into honoring his
00:42:17And his family's story
00:42:18I love you to the moon
00:42:21And back
00:42:23Number 8
00:42:27I did something bad
00:42:2946th annual
00:42:30American Music Awards
00:42:31From the moment
00:42:32She steps on stage
00:42:34Swift doesn't just captivate
00:42:35She commands
00:42:37Pulling us into her orbit
00:42:38And making sure
00:42:39We're hanging on to each note
00:42:40In every lyric
00:42:41So I play on like a violin
00:42:45And I make you look
00:42:52Oh so
00:42:54This song is Swift's armor
00:42:58Forged from the fire
00:43:00Of relentless bad press
00:43:01And now that she has
00:43:02The world's attention
00:43:03She's ready to unleash
00:43:04Everything she's been holding back
00:43:06She called writing reputation
00:43:08Quote
00:43:08Cathartic
00:43:09And this performance
00:43:10Makes that crystal clear
00:43:12From the red hot staging
00:43:20To the sharp choreography
00:43:21To her fierce vocal delivery
00:43:23Swift channels her rage
00:43:25And frustration
00:43:26Into a relentless takedown
00:43:27Of those who tried to break her
00:43:29This was her battle cry
00:43:30And we were ready
00:43:31To fall in line
00:43:32Number 7
00:43:41Marjorie
00:43:42Taylor Swift
00:43:43The Heiress Tour
00:43:44How many modern artists
00:43:45Wear their hearts
00:43:46On their sleeves
00:43:47Quite like Taylor
00:43:48Marjorie is a heartfelt tribute
00:43:49To her late grandmother
00:43:50Who encouraged Taylor's dream
00:43:52Of becoming a musician
00:43:53As she sings
00:44:03You can feel the love
00:44:04And bond they shared
00:44:05With her grandmother's memory
00:44:07Living on through every note
00:44:08The audience lights up the stadium
00:44:10Yet the performance feels
00:44:11Deeply personal and intimate
00:44:13As if Taylor's memories
00:44:14Are unfolding before us
00:44:15In her words
00:44:16All your closets
00:44:17Are backlogged dreams
00:44:19And how you left them all to me
00:44:22It's a performance
00:44:23That is so moving
00:44:24That it makes us wish
00:44:25Our own grandparents
00:44:26Were beside us
00:44:27Watching so that
00:44:28We could hug them tightly
00:44:29Really, it's a love letter
00:44:31In a song
00:44:31And it's beautifully timeless
00:44:33I know better
00:44:36But I still feel you
00:44:38All around
00:44:40Number 6
00:44:42Haunted
00:44:43Taylor Swift
00:44:44Speak Now World Tour Live
00:44:46Taylor brings such a mix
00:44:47Of unfiltered passion
00:44:49Theatrical spectacle
00:44:50And overwhelming
00:44:51Sonic power
00:44:52To this performance
00:44:53That we can almost imagine it
00:44:54On a Broadway stage
00:44:55From hitting that bell
00:45:02With all that she's got
00:45:04To the dancers
00:45:04Descending from it
00:45:05This is a performance
00:45:06Where if you blink
00:45:07You'll miss something incredible
00:45:09You can also feel
00:45:10Every twisted, painful moment
00:45:12Of the relationship
00:45:13She's singing about
00:45:14She pours so much of herself
00:45:24Into every lyric
00:45:25Combining vulnerability
00:45:26And defiance
00:45:27In a way that cuts deep
00:45:29It's intense
00:45:30It's raw
00:45:31And it's so damn powerful
00:45:32That you can't help
00:45:33But get goosebumps
00:45:34Few artists can make songs
00:45:35About heartbreak
00:45:36And darkness
00:45:37Feel this real
00:45:38Number 5
00:45:48Long Live
00:45:49And New Year's Day
00:45:50Taylor Swift Reputation Stadium Tour
00:45:52We can't talk about
00:45:53The Reputation Tour
00:45:54Without noting how
00:45:55Swift transforms
00:45:56Clean from heartache
00:45:57Into a breathtaking
00:45:58Moment of emotional clarity
00:46:00And by morning
00:46:03Gone was any trace of you
00:46:06I think I'm finally clean
00:46:08I think I'm finally clean
00:46:13Then there's Long Live
00:46:19A performance that hits us
00:46:21Right in the heart
00:46:22Every time
00:46:23Long live
00:46:24The walls we crash through
00:46:26How it came to
00:46:27Lights shine
00:46:28Just for me and you
00:46:30I was screaming
00:46:32Long live
00:46:33All the magic we made
00:46:35Bring on all the pretenders
00:46:37I'm not afraid
00:46:39Long live
00:46:41All the mountains we moved
00:46:43I had the time of my life
00:46:46Fighting dragons with you
00:46:48I was screaming
00:46:49Long live
00:46:50That look on your face
00:46:52Bring on all the pretenders
00:46:55One day
00:46:56We will be real
00:46:58She sings about her biggest highs
00:47:00Inviting us to share in her victories
00:47:03And be part of every moment
00:47:04As if we've been there with her all along
00:47:06In many ways
00:47:07True Swifties actually have
00:47:09May these memories
00:47:11Break
00:47:12She then smoothly transitions into New Year's Day
00:47:19Where her sincerity and unfiltered honesty radiate through every second
00:47:23In a sea of flashing lights and high-energy moments
00:47:26This performance hits you with a quiet, unshakable emotional force that lingers long after
00:47:31I'm on the midnights
00:47:36I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day
00:47:41Number 4
00:47:42All Too Well
00:47:4356th Annual Grammy Awards
00:47:45It's just Taylor
00:47:46A piano
00:47:47A gorgeous dress
00:47:49And her lucky number 13
00:47:51Yet again
00:47:52She lays bare an unflinching, stirring honesty that's almost overwhelming to hear
00:47:57Left in my scarf there
00:47:58It's your sister's house
00:48:01And you
00:48:01Still got it
00:48:03In your drawer
00:48:05Even now
00:48:07Oh, your sweet disposition
00:48:12And my wide-eyed gaze
00:48:15We're singing in the car
00:48:17Getting lost to state
00:48:20Autumn leaves falling down
00:48:23Like pieces into place
00:48:25And I can picture it
00:48:28After all these days
00:48:31Apparently, this was a tough one to write
00:48:33As she had to, quote,
00:48:34Filter through her emotions to carefully choose what to include without making it too long
00:48:39We just have to wait a bit for the 10-minute version in all its glory
00:48:42In this performance, it feels like she's not aware of the countless people watching
00:48:46Instead, she's just reliving these personal memories
00:48:50I asked for too much
00:48:52But maybe this thing was a masterpiece
00:48:55Till you tore it all up
00:48:57Running scared
00:48:58I was scared
00:49:00I remember it
00:49:01All too
00:49:03Starting soft and wistful
00:49:09She builds intensity with headbanging moments that punctuate her emotional whirlwind
00:49:14Every moment feels like peeling back an old scar
00:49:17Exposing something intensely personal
00:49:19But somehow familiar to anyone who's ever loved and lost
00:49:22Remember it
00:49:24All too
00:49:25Wow
00:49:28Number 3
00:49:44We are never ever getting back together
00:49:47Rock version
00:49:48Taylor Swift
00:49:49The 1989 world tour live
00:49:51If any artist knows how to keep us on our toes
00:49:54It's Taylor
00:49:54For example, when she reimagined this old classic with a rockier edge
00:49:59This high-energy performance strips away the original track's gloss
00:50:02And replaces it with a gritty intensity
00:50:04That perfectly captures the messiness of a frustrating breakup
00:50:08The aggressive instrumentation and bold vocals amplify the defiant energy
00:50:37To a whole new level
00:50:38It's like she's added a few more nevers
00:50:40As she turns her breakup anthem
00:50:41Into an even more confident statement of defiance
00:50:44Taylor's delivery is unstoppable
00:51:13Every word brimming with conviction
00:51:16The intense rock sound and her fierce performance
00:51:18Create an electrifying moment that hits harder
00:51:21And louder than the original ever could
00:51:23Number 2
00:51:35Exile featuring Bon Iver
00:51:37Folklore, the Long Pond Studio Sessions
00:51:40With the world in uncharted waters
00:51:42Taylor dropped a surprise album
00:51:44And the self-directed concert documentary
00:51:46Which felt like a moment of peace
00:51:48And was a bomb to the soul
00:51:49Most of folklore could already give us chills
00:52:14But this collaboration took it to another level
00:52:17So who am I fending now
00:52:20You are my crown
00:52:21Now I'm in exile
00:52:23Seeing you out
00:52:25I think I've seen this film before
00:52:29So I'm leaving out the side door
00:52:32So step right out
00:52:36There is no amount
00:52:39Of crying I can do for
00:52:43All this time
00:52:45We always walked a very thin line
00:52:48You didn't even hear me out
00:52:51You never gave no warning sign
00:52:55All this time
00:52:58Justin Vernon's velvety, somber baritone
00:53:01And Taylor's dynamic, heartfelt voice
00:53:03Mixed together in a way that feels almost magical
00:53:05From the eerie, building tension
00:53:07To those stunning, heartbreaking harmonies
00:53:10It's like watching a doomed relationship
00:53:12Play out in real time
00:53:13It's just so honest, real, painful
00:53:23And so, so personal
00:53:25It's almost theatrical
00:53:26And utterly soul-stirring
00:53:28Leaving us feeling gutted
00:53:29But seen in a way only Taylor can do
00:53:32Before we unveil our top pick
00:53:57Here are a few honorable mentions
00:53:59My Tears Ricochet
00:54:01Taylor Swift, The Heiress Tour
00:54:02A practically ethereal performance
00:54:04With a powerfully dramatic crescendo
00:54:29Soon you'll get better
00:54:30One world, together at home
00:54:32Like a vocal hug
00:54:34During a difficult time
00:54:35Where actual hugs
00:54:36Were in short supply
00:54:37You'll get better
00:54:42You'll get better
00:54:47You'll get better
00:54:51Soon
00:54:53New Year's Day
00:54:57The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon
00:54:59Made all the more emotional
00:55:01When Fallon shared his
00:55:02And his late mother's connection
00:55:03To some specific lyrics
00:55:05Squeeze my hand three times
00:55:07In the back of the taxi
00:55:08I can tell that it's gonna be a long road
00:55:13I'll be there if you're the toast
00:55:17To the town, babe
00:55:18Or if you strike out
00:55:22And you're crawling home
00:55:23Don't read
00:55:26The last page
00:55:29But I stay
00:55:31When it's hard
00:55:32Or it's wrong
00:55:33But we're making mistakes
00:55:34I was
00:55:37Your midnights
00:55:39But I'll be cleaning up bottles
00:55:41With you
00:55:42On New Year's Day
00:55:44Hold on
00:55:45To the memories
00:55:48They will hold on to you
00:55:50Hold on
00:55:52To the memories
00:55:53They will hold on to you
00:55:56Hold on
00:55:57To the memories
00:55:59They will hold on to you
00:56:01False God
00:56:03Saturday Night Live
00:56:04Raw and intimate
00:56:06Her stunning voice
00:56:07And captivating stage presence
00:56:08Leave us breathless
00:56:10Out of the Woods
00:56:2658th Annual Grammy Awards
00:56:28With its haunting vocals
00:56:29And enchanting stagecraft
00:56:31It's enough to send chills
00:56:32Down your spine
00:56:40Down your spine
00:56:40Yeah
00:56:42Oh, I'll remember
00:56:44Oh, I'll remember
00:56:46Yeah, yeah
00:56:47Yeah, yeah
00:56:48Let's show you
00:56:49For my members
00:56:50Oh, yeah
00:56:51Yeah, yeah
00:56:52Yeah, yeah
00:56:53Yeah, yeah
00:56:54Yeah, yeah
00:56:54Yeah, yeah
00:56:56Yeah, yeah
00:56:57Yeah, yeah
00:56:58In the creative
00:57:00Yeah, yeah
00:57:01Number 1.
00:57:06Don't Blame Me
00:57:07Taylor Swift, The Heirer's Tour
00:57:08Hands up, who got chills just arriving at the era's tour?
00:57:12In true reputation fashion, this song sees Swift confronting the media's relentless scrutiny,
00:57:17but this time, she's the one steering the narrative.
00:57:38With fierce vocals and unyielding energy, she commands us to stand up and pay attention.
00:57:54While comparing love to addiction is nothing new, she flips the trope here,
00:57:58turning the external narrative about her into something she owns.
00:58:08The performance is almost cinematic, with lights casting bars that simply can't contain her energy.
00:58:30Taylor throws everything she's got, and more, into this moment, going harder than we ever expected.
00:58:36She had a message, and trust us, we heard it loud and clear.
00:58:51What Taylor Swift performance do you know all too well will leave you with chills?
00:59:06We are going to end things today by looking at a different side of history.
00:59:36Taylor Swift, her comedic side.
00:59:39Yep, here now are her most unforgettable moments on Saturday Night Live.
00:59:45La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, this is my music on monologue.
00:59:53Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:59:55And today, we're counting down our picks for the most unforgettable performances Taylor Swift delivered on Saturday Night Live.
01:00:01From hilarious sketches to show-stopping musical presentations.
01:00:11Number 10, The Californians' Buh-Bye.
01:00:14Hey, look, there's Cousin Allison.
01:00:15She just got a small role in a Hollywood space movie.
01:00:18Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special was packed with celebrity cameos and nostalgic throwbacks to the show's most iconic sketches.
01:00:31To celebrate the beloved soap opera parody, The Californians, fans got a nearly 10-minute revival that brought back the usual suspects, as well as a host of celebrity appearances.
01:00:41Mr. Craig?
01:00:43The one in the tank top?
01:00:47Krog?
01:00:49Dutch man, you are a doll.
01:00:53Perhaps the most unexpected addition was Taylor Swift, who popped in as Cousin Allison, a struggling actress who finally lands a minor role in a space movie.
01:01:02That was very convincing.
01:01:06I only wish that great Aunt Lana were heard of seeing me on the big screen, but she's dead.
01:01:14Even beside comedic heavyweights like Betty White, Kristen Wiig, and Fred Armisen, Swift still stood out.
01:01:20She nailed the over-the-top accent and delivered a bizarre moment where she eats her own hair.
01:01:25So you caught me, okay?
01:01:27I have a perfect explanation.
01:01:28I'm just a messed up actress, okay?
01:01:33It's just me.
01:01:34Right as it's revealed that she tried to have White's character killed.
01:01:38Number 9.
01:01:39The View, Kate Gosselin.
01:01:41In November 2009, Taylor Swift made her SNL debut as both host and musical guest.
01:01:46She kicked off the night with a hilarious live sketch, playing reality TV star Kate Gosselin as a guest panelist on The View.
01:01:53Actually, you know, the hardest thing about being a mom is having patience.
01:02:00Because sometimes the paparazzi say they're going to be someplace at 10 and they don't show up till 11.
01:02:07Surrounded by impersonations of Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, and Elizabeth Hasselbeck,
01:02:13Swift's Gosselin came across as delightfully clueless, stuffing her sentences with filler words like, you know, and actually.
01:02:20You know what else is funny?
01:02:22How I got this hairstyle.
01:02:24My hairdresser was halfway through giving me the Rachel when his blow dryer exploded on the back of my head.
01:02:30While Kristen Wiig's overexcited Hasselbeck fawned over her hair, Swift just sat there, wide-eyed and bewildered.
01:02:36And frankly, that was all she needed to do.
01:02:39It may have been her first live SNL sketch as host, but with how effortlessly she slipped into character, you'd never have guessed.
01:02:46Kate, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
01:02:50I know you have to jog off to a book signing at Barnes & Noble.
01:02:53Oh, you have a book out?
01:02:55Actually, no.
01:02:57I'm just walking up to people and asking them if they want me to sign whatever book they're holding.
01:03:02Number 8, Three Sad Virgins.
01:03:04Hey, Pete.
01:03:05Oh, hey, Taylor.
01:03:05No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
01:03:06The Please Don't Destroy trio joined SNL in its 47th season and quickly made a name for themselves with their sharp, self-deprecating digital shorts.
01:03:22They just don't have any swag.
01:03:24What?
01:03:24They're tall and weird and sad.
01:03:26John's loud but not very smart.
01:03:28Ben's breath kind of smells like a fart.
01:03:29One of their earliest sketches featured Pete Davidson pitching a music video about their unbreakable friendship,
01:03:35only for it to spiral into a brutal roast of them as three sad virgins.
01:03:40But it doesn't end there.
01:03:41To really drive his point home, Davidson brings out Taylor Swift to deliver the ultimate takedown.
01:03:48Swift crafts specific digs for each guy, dubbing Ben Marshall, sad Ron Weasley,
01:03:53likening Martin Hurley to a scarecrow, and mocking John Higgins for his bowling ball head.
01:03:58One has a big-ass bowling ball head.
01:04:01How does he stay upright with that big fat melon?
01:04:05She then drops the mic with a perfectly timed punchline to the four-minute joke.
01:04:09Please that pigeon's what?
01:04:11Please that pigeon's what?
01:04:13And they're gonna die alone.
01:04:16Number seven, driving PSA.
01:04:18Hi, I'm Samantha Samuels.
01:04:21Teenagers often take the heat for bad driving.
01:04:23But let's be honest, reckless road habits aren't exclusive to just one generation.
01:04:28That's the exact message teen activist Samantha Samuels pushes in the PSA for her newly launched group,
01:04:34teens raising awareness about awful parent drivers.
01:04:37Driving while texting can be very dangerous.
01:04:40But teens aren't the only bad drivers.
01:04:43In fact, many of the worst drivers are parents.
01:04:46Taylor Swift is nearly unrecognizable as Samantha, complete with a mouthful of heavy metal gear,
01:04:52an exaggerated lisp, and a shrunken stature.
01:04:55But that doesn't stop her from calling out her parents for lecturing her,
01:04:58rummaging through their purses, and even revealing family secrets, all while driving.
01:05:03Driving while arguing with the GPS.
01:05:06Turn left.
01:05:07No.
01:05:07You don't know what you're talking about.
01:05:09Turn left.
01:05:10No!
01:05:11Driving while revealing family secrets.
01:05:13You know, before me, your father was married to a Korean woman.
01:05:17She then throws a temper tantrum when her mom discovers what she's been up to.
01:05:21Safe to say, there's a lot of bad blood in the Samuels household.
01:05:24Mom!
01:05:26Get out!
01:05:26You're ruining my commercial!
01:05:29This ad was paid for by Samantha Samuels, with money she stole from her dad's desk.
01:05:34Number 6.
01:05:35Hollywood Dish, Taylor Swift.
01:05:37Taylor Swift!
01:05:38Six American Music Award nominations.
01:05:41Not bad.
01:05:42I know, it's been such an amazing year.
01:05:46The recurring Hollywood Dish sketch featured Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as the insufferable
01:05:51celebrity interviewers Brady Trunk and Anastasia Sticks, whose main talent was driving their
01:05:56guests insane.
01:05:57This time, their unlucky victim was Taylor Swift.
01:06:00As they bombard her with questions about her recent award nominations, they unleash an onslaught
01:06:05of exaggerated facial expressions, each more ridiculous than the last.
01:06:09You know, sometimes you don't get that much time to rehearse.
01:06:15And the last thing you want to do is make a mistake in front of millions of people.
01:06:19The pair keep poking and prodding, forcing her to deliver a painfully fake laugh to one
01:06:26of their so-called jokes.
01:06:27Make sure you keep that Kanye off the stage.
01:06:30Okay.
01:06:31Go, go, go, go.
01:06:32Bigger, bigger.
01:06:33Bigger, bigger.
01:06:33Ha, ha, ha, ha.
01:06:36Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
01:06:38Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
01:06:40Finally, she decides she's had enough and storms off the set.
01:06:44Swift plays an incredible straight man to hate her in wig, never once breaking despite
01:06:48the duo's relentless attempts to get her to do so.
01:06:51Thanks, Taylor.
01:06:52Thank you, Taylor.
01:06:53That went really well.
01:06:54So sweet.
01:06:56Number five, all-too-well, ten-minute version.
01:06:58I walked through the door with you.
01:07:02The air was cold.
01:07:04But something about it felt like home somehow died.
01:07:09For her fifth stint as the musical guest on SNL, Taylor Swift decided to go all out.
01:07:15Typically, artists perform twice, once before Weekend Update and again later in the show.
01:07:20But Swift broke tradition, opting for a single, uninterrupted ten-minute performance.
01:07:35Viewers were treated to the extended version of her song All Too Well, which was released
01:07:39the previous day on her re-recorded album, Red Taylor's version.
01:07:42With the sauce in me, the car keys, the patriarchy, keychain on the ground, we were always skippin' town.
01:07:51As she sang, the stage transformed with the seasons, with crisp autumn leaves drifting down at the start,
01:07:57then giving way to snowfall by the end.
01:07:59All the while, the song's accompanying short film, starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien,
01:08:04played on a screen behind her.
01:08:06Ten minutes never felt so fleeting.
01:08:08In my head, I was there, I was there.
01:08:13Down the stairs, I was there, I was there.
01:08:18Number four, roomies.
01:08:20In this sketch, Nassim Pedrad and Andy Samberg play a couple enjoying a romantic evening alone,
01:08:25until the girlfriend's roommate unexpectedly arrives.
01:08:28But this interruption isn't exactly unwelcome, at least not for Pedrad's character.
01:08:33Taylor Swift plays the interrupting roommate who returns home after working just two hours at her part-time job.
01:08:39Yet from Pedrad's overjoyed reaction, you'd think she'd been gone for a year.
01:08:43I love you so much. Bath and Body Works is the worst.
01:08:47So is being away from you.
01:08:48Bennett, look who's here!
01:08:50Hi, Anna.
01:08:51The situation gets even more awkward for Samberg's character,
01:08:54as the two ladies sideline him and share a special handshake,
01:08:57making him feel like the third wheel on his own date.
01:09:00Three, two, one!
01:09:07It's the kind of scenario that could easily inspire Swift's next heartbreak anthem.
01:09:12No, I get it. I guess, um, I guess I'll just head back to my room now.
01:09:19No.
01:09:21No.
01:09:23No.
01:09:25No.
01:09:26Number three, scared straight.
01:09:29Lorenzo and Skeet Devlin.
01:09:30Hey, now, my name is Lorenzo McIntosh.
01:09:34I'm Skeet Devlin!
01:09:36But people call us the swirl.
01:09:37Taylor Swift ditched a bit of her good girl image in the recurring scared straight sketch opposite Kenan Thompson.
01:09:44Swift plays a supposedly hardened criminal named Skeet Devlin,
01:09:47recruited to warn some wayward delinquents about the dangers of landing behind bars.
01:09:52Decked out in cornrows, a red headband, and a fake goatee,
01:09:56Swift looks more like a kid playing dress-up than a seasoned felon, but she commits to the bit.
01:10:00While Thompson's McIntosh takes the lead with his usual crude tales,
01:10:04Swift holds her own and gets right in the kids' faces with her ridiculous, yet oddly convincing performance.
01:10:09The only song you'll be singing is this one!
01:10:13Doe, John Doe, the name they'll give your corpse.
01:10:17If we ever considered a life of crime, best believe our minds are completely changed now.
01:10:22Number 2, Firelight.
01:10:31Who's that?
01:10:33Who, him?
01:10:35No.
01:10:37Them.
01:10:41Those are the Franks.
01:10:43Back in 2009, escaping the Twilight craze was practically impossible.
01:10:47So there was bound to be an SNL parody at some point,
01:10:50and it just happened to be when Taylor Swift hosted.
01:10:53In this spoof, Swift steps into Kristen Stewart's shoes.
01:10:56Except instead of a vampire, she falls for one of Frankenstein's monsters, played by Bill Hader.
01:11:02The premise alone is ridiculous,
01:11:04as Hader and his fellow Franks are decked out in green skin and neck bolts.
01:11:08Plus, they all have a comical fear of fire.
01:11:10Hey.
01:11:11Hey.
01:11:12Hey, everyone.
01:11:13Turn on your Bunton burners.
01:11:16Hey!
01:11:20But the sketch dials it up to perfection with its mellow, dramatic tone and ridiculous dialogue,
01:11:27which Swift delivers with absolute commitment.
01:11:30Why won't you kiss me?
01:11:31Because when I kiss people, I tend to accidentally choke them to death.
01:11:35I want you to try.
01:11:39No.
01:11:40We'd watch this Twilight spinoff in a heartbeat, especially with her in the lead.
01:11:44You are my life now.
01:11:46You're choking me.
01:11:48Sorry.
01:11:49It's an accident.
01:11:52Before we unveil our top pick,
01:11:53here are a few honorable mentions.
01:11:56Penelope, Man and Wife.
01:11:58Taylor Swift goes head-to-head against the compulsive lies of Kristen Wiig's Penelope.
01:12:02Penelope is ruining this entire reception.
01:12:04Look, you making a scene isn't gonna make it any better.
01:12:07Well, she's ruining their day.
01:12:08This is my day, so I bought it from the government.
01:12:12It's National Penelope Day in 14 countries.
01:12:14Funny business.
01:12:15Swift is clearly enjoying every second of this hilariously bad Shakira impression.
01:12:19Bunnies on the floor tonight.
01:12:21Popping, keep shaking their bunny.
01:12:23Hits the sheep on me and all of us.
01:12:25Save Broadway.
01:12:26The singer doesn't exactly save Broadway as Annie, but at least she tries.
01:12:31The sun will come out tomorrow.
01:12:35No.
01:12:35That's your bottom dollar bet.
01:12:37Annie, Annie, Annie, Annie, Annie, sweetie, not the time, okay?
01:12:40False God.
01:12:41Alongside Lenny Pickett, Swift turned up the heat with her debut performance of this song.
01:12:46Even if it's a false God, even if it's a false God, still worship this.
01:12:54Ready for it and call it what you want.
01:12:56Swift got everyone buzzing about reputation with these show-stopping performances.
01:13:01Knew he was a killer, first time that I saw him.
01:13:04Wonder how many girls he had left and left wanted.
01:13:07Number one, monologue song, La La La.
01:13:11You know, whenever I'm feeling strong emotions about something like this, I usually write a song about it.
01:13:17For her first time hosting Saturday Night Live, Taylor Swift pulled off something even veteran hosts rarely attempt.
01:13:24She wrote her own opening monologue.
01:13:26But instead of relying on predictable punchlines, Swift did what she does best and turned it into music.
01:13:31I like glitter and sparkly dresses, but I'm not going to talk about that in my monologue.
01:13:39I like baking and things that smell like winter, but I'm not going to talk about that in my monologue.
01:13:48In monologue song, La La La, Swift poked fun at tabloid gossip, from her high-profile breakups to her reputation for writing songs about them.
01:13:57She even took a jab at her infamous encounter with Kanye West at the VMAs, reassuring everyone that she had bodyguards this time, just in case.
01:14:04And how he ran up on the stage and ruined my VMA monologue.
01:14:14But there's nothing more to say, because everything's okay.
01:14:18I've got security lining the stage.
01:14:25At just 19 and making her hosting debut, she managed to check every box for a solid monologue,
01:14:31a clear indication of the superstar she was about to become.
01:14:34La la la, ha ha ha, ha ha ha, ha ha ha, la la la.
01:14:41What is your favorite Taylor Swift moment on SNL?
01:14:44What sketches would you like to see her do in the future?
01:14:46Funny girls, hop on your bonnie boys.
01:14:49Ha ha ha, woo!
01:14:53Well, that's going to do it for this special look at all things Taylor Swift.
01:14:57Hope you enjoyed yourself.
01:14:59I definitely did.
01:15:00I've been Matt for Ms. Mojo, and I'll see you next time.
01:15:04I'll see you next time.
01:15:06We'll see you next time.
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