Here are some of Taylor Swift’s twangiest country music moments from past eras.
Her name has been synonymous with 2023 as she has single-handedly lifted the concert and film economies, dated a football hero under extreme public glare, and become the first modern pop star to be crowned Time’s Person of the Year.
As Taylor Swift marks her 34th year on this planet (which might become too small for her at some point), we’d like to look back at the moments that cemented her country music legacy before she defied all genres, categorizations, and pop-cultural predictions.
“I’D LIE,” WHISKEY A GO GO, 2006
This one goes way back, with a teenage Taylor Wift in curls and captivating the crowd at a famous club.
“TEARDROPS ON MY GUITAR,” GRAND OLE OPRY, 2007
Check out the masterful intro chatter from a country artist who’s still in high school. Some people were born to do this, apparently.
“PICTURE TO BURN,” CMA FEST, 2008
She’s a dynamo here, getting the crowd at a Nashville stadium going with plenty of fiddle and twang behind that voice. But one can trace the themes of romantic revenge and audacious truth-spilling back to these early days.
“SHOULD’VE SAID NO,” ACMs, 2009
The segue from coffeehouse intimacy to big-stage brashness is a lot of fun. And think about how perfect every live performance is now. She was a little shaky and nervous here, and we kinda liked it.
“FIFTEEN,” CMAs, 2009
Perhaps a precursor to her famous mini acoustic sets on big stadium tours. You can feel the fandom’s fervor here. She was and is their touchstone.
“YOU BELONG WITH ME,” LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, 2010
Letterman always showcased the most relevant and interesting music. Swift rose to the occasion with one of her (still) biggest songs.
“SPARKS FLY,” LIVE MUSIC VIDEO, 2011
This has to be one of her catchiest, most expertly crafted pop songs, but it’s still got the twang that made her country’s biggest thing for many years. Try not to sing along.
“MEAN,” LIVE FROM NYC, 2012
Always loved the bluegrass strains of this undeniable hit. And the lyrics just kind of roll off the tongue. The crowd seems to agree. This touching tune would go on to win a Grammy award for Best Country Song.
“SAFE & SOUND” FEATURING THE CIVIL WARS, 2012
A gorgeous composition, this Hunger Games song highlights Swift’s collaborative prowess. The vocal blending with The Civil Wars is haunting. Here’s the updated “Taylor’s Version.”
“RED,” CMAs, 2013
You can’t say Swift didn’t try her best to serve both her country and pop audiences for many years. She invited Alison Krauss and Vince Gill to add a little Nashville pickin' and harmonizing to “Red” for country’s biggest night.
“TIM MCGRAW,” “HIGHWAY DON’T CARE,” CMA FEST, 2013
McGraw had been the namesake of her earliest hit, and the two came full circle on the duet, “Highway Don’t Care.” The moment was perfect to blend the two in front of a massive Nashville crowd. Keith Urban showed up on the guitar, as well.
“BETTER MAN,” BLUEBIRD CAFE, 2018
She popped up at Nashville’s storied songwriter’s room to play a song she’d given to Little Big Town. And knocked it out of the park.
“BETTY,” ACMs, 2020
She was back in her old country music home in the year of the Pandemic, to sing a stripped-down, Americana gem from the surprise album Folklore. Ol’ Taylor, always one to look back and honor her past eras at just the right moments.
Taylor Swift’s Continued Evolution
From her country singer beginnings to a global pop star, Swift's ability to reinvent herself while staying true to her authentic voice has solidified her as a trailblazer and trendsetter. Beyond the charts and awards, her music transcends generations, resonating with fans around the globe. As she continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of music, one thing remains certain—Taylor Swift's legacy is far from reaching its final note. And don't forget to catch her Eras Tour.
Find more country music content here.
Check out more C&I content on Facebook and Instagram.
