Are you ready for this Taylor Swift era? Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most incREDible live performances of tracks from Taylor Swift’s “Red” album.
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00:00 "I'm in London for the very first time.
00:02 It's this song called Red."
00:04 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most incredible live
00:09 performances of tracks from Taylor Swift's Red album.
00:12 "Put my name at the top of your list."
00:16 We're also including mashups and medleys with songs from other albums, as well as renditions
00:21 of other artists' hits, and songs from the era that may not be on the album, but are
00:26 definitive to the time period.
00:28 Sadly, era's tour performances don't qualify due to lack of official footage.
00:33 Number 10.
00:34 Everything Has Changed featuring Ed Sheeran, Britain's Got Talent.
00:38 "Your green eyes, your freckles and your smile in the back of my mind making me feel alive."
00:44 When Taylor Swift's first duet with Ed Sheeran happened, it was a big deal.
00:48 An enthusiastic introductory video adequately hyped up both record-setting sensations just
00:53 before they took the stage together on Britain's Got Talent.
00:57 Each vocalist stood with a stage presence that complemented the other, and their harmonies
01:01 blended seamlessly.
01:02 "All I know is beside hello, and your eyes look like coming home."
01:08 Swift got in a few falsetto notes and pop-star-esque arm motions, while Sheeran bounced his shoulders
01:13 to keep just the right level of melodic energy while nailing his vocals, too.
01:17 Watching them sing and play their guitars, you can't help but be captivated.
01:21 This ended up being a precursor to their future collaborations, as well as a pleasant reminder
01:26 of why they're superstars.
01:28 "Seeing yesterday, is everything has changed."
01:38 Number 9.
01:39 My songs know what you did in the dark, light 'em up with Fall Out Boy.
01:43 18th Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
01:44 "Ladies and gentlemen, Taylor Swift."
01:53 The 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show glistened with a sea of stars, from the runway angels
01:58 to the chic designer outfits, to Fall Out Boy.
02:00 Yes, Fall Out Boy.
02:02 But wait, who's that joining them?
02:04 It's D-Swift, sporting a UK flag-embroidered dress like modeling should be her day job.
02:09 Of course, her singing was on point, and she impressively spit out the accelerated lyrics
02:13 of "Light 'Em Up" with ease.
02:15 "My songs know what you did in the dark."
02:22 She also worked in an articulate introduction of the band members and models with the craft
02:26 of a veteran MC.
02:27 "My name is Taylor, these are my friends Patrick, Pete, Andy and Joe."
02:32 Her presence and attitude were commanding, but she didn't overshadow any one part of
02:37 this phenomenal catwalk.
02:38 We ate up that cool high five, and we think Tim Gunn would agree, she made it work.
02:44 Number 8.
02:45 Ronin, third annual stand-up to Cancer Telethon.
02:48 "New blue eyes, looking into mine, like we had our own secret."
02:54 There aren't any extravagant costumes, set pieces, or choreography for this one, only
02:59 emotional sincerity in response to heartfelt tragedy.
03:03 Ronin lyrically honors its title child, who passed of neuroblastoma.
03:06 "You were my best for years."
03:12 Inspired by blog posts from the boy's mother, Maya, Ronin pays poignant tribute to his memory.
03:18 It doesn't perform it live often, but its debut during the stand-up to Cancer Telethon
03:22 is undeniably moving.
03:24 Though she remained composed, you can hear the shake in her voice and see her struggling
03:28 to vocalize the words.
03:29 "And what if I kept the hand-me-downs you won't throw into?"
03:36 Every syllable seems to collectively represent the pain of those who are familiar with a
03:39 similar loss.
03:41 It's extraordinary that she didn't cry during the performance, because watching it now,
03:45 we sure are.
03:46 "I remember your bare feet down the hallway.
03:48 I love you to the moon and back."
03:59 Number 7.
04:00 Begin Again, 46th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
04:04 "You didn't get this song, but I do.
04:09 I do."
04:11 The scene is a French cafe.
04:13 An accordion plays, and we're immediately transported into a romantic tale.
04:17 Swift performed her ballad about the resurgence of love at the 2012 CMAs, draped in album
04:22 color red among the appropriately theatrical atmosphere.
04:25 "I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did."
04:30 She entered stage right and serenaded the crowd like a heroine from a classic Hollywood
04:34 movie.
04:35 Her dreamy eyes, poise, and optimistic smile all sold the song's story, conveying the complicated
04:40 emotions that come with lamenting heartbreak and welcoming new romance.
04:44 Her stellar delivery, bolstered by nuanced facial expressions and gleeful concluding
04:48 smile, rightfully garnered a standing ovation.
04:51 While her understated rendition at the Ed Sullivan Theater also deserved praise, it's
04:55 the CMA one that truly encapsulated the spirit of Begin Again.
04:59 "On a Wednesday in a cafe, I watched it begin again."
05:06 Number 6.
05:07 The all-too-well, 10-minute version Taylor's version from The Vault, Saturday Night Live.
05:11 "Left my scarf there at your sister's house, and you've still got it."
05:18 It was one of those musical moments that just felt destined to go down in history.
05:22 Fresh off the release of Red, Taylor's version, Swift decimated the late-night stage with
05:26 a staggering anthem in the best way.
05:28 "You were tossin' me the car keys, but the patriarchy, he chained on the ground."
05:34 Overgoing the typical two-song format for SNL guests, she optioned for one extended
05:39 10-minute set.
05:40 "All Too Well" is a loaded, emotional tune, but she never lost stamina as her vocal,
05:45 guitar strumming, and pose-striking muscles kept up with all the ballads' highs and
05:49 lows.
05:50 "I was there, I remember it all too well."
05:57 While its parts called back to her younger days, we were undeniably seeing a woman who'd
06:01 matured through many albums of life through this performance.
06:05 "Sippin' coffee like you were on a late-night show."
06:09 Not just that, it represented her new Red era, the one that belongs to her in gorgeous
06:14 fashion.
06:15 "It was rare, you remember it."
06:18 Number 5.
06:19 22.
06:20 20th Billboard Music Awards
06:22 "Feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters and make fun of our exes."
06:29 The Red era was a great time to showcase Taylor's many skills as an artist.
06:33 Her live production of "22" for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards was a gorgeous spectacle,
06:38 starting with a camera in her dressing room and ending with an uproarious onstage finale.
06:43 The first part of this wild thing is in one shot, as camouflaged backup dancers materialize
06:48 around Taylor while she marches through the hallways.
06:51 There's colorful costumes, a bicycle ride, and, mic drop, a surprise appearance by the
06:55 Jabberwockies.
07:01 It's all worthy of any A-list Broadway ensemble, and Swift shines as she kicks her legs and
07:05 shakes her hips at the center of it all.
07:08 It's flashy, fun, and an extravagant manifestation of feeling happily young.
07:19 Number 4.
07:20 Red featuring Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Edgar Meyer, and Eric Darkin.
07:25 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
07:33 T-Swift may have blossomed into an artist of multiple genres, but she's never forgotten
07:38 her country roots.
07:39 Sometimes you have to listen closely to hear the influence, but she put it right in the
07:43 driver's seat for an acoustic version of Red at the 2013 CMAs.
07:54 Featuring legends Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, and others, the performance deconstructed
07:58 Swift's electric hit by spotlighting a fiddle, a mandolin, and classic bluegrass instrumentation.
08:04 There was a little call-and-response between Krauss and Gill, as well as some mesmerizing
08:08 harmonies from the group.
08:13 Notably, Swift has rocked this track a few times.
08:19 Each version feels unique and unforgettable in its own way.
08:29 But looking at her smile at the end, we'd wager this act was one of her favorites.
08:43 Number 3.
08:44 I Knew You Were Trouble, 40th Annual American Music Awards.
08:53 This was hard to choose, since Swift has slain many variations of I Knew You Were Trouble,
08:58 notably at the 2013 Brit Awards.
09:00 We also couldn't forget her killer showing at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, but
09:04 it was at the 2012 AMAs where Trouble was at its prime.
09:08 With wardrobe and set designs like something out of Phantom of the Opera, the number featured
09:12 Swift striding across the stage with an aura that blended confidence and uncertainty, consistent
09:17 with the song's motif.
09:19 Then as the dubstep rose, her dress transformed, upping the affair's rocking quality.
09:30 She proceeded with extra-determined force, electrifying the stage with her performance
09:34 prowess.
09:35 This is one show that has the power to bring anyone to their feet.
09:46 Number 2.
09:47 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, 1989 World Tour.
09:56 The red era gave way to the 1989 one, but thankfully, the latter's world tour included
10:01 this bangin' interpretation of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.
10:04 Lad in leather, Swift began with an electric guitar and cool arpeggios, almost teasing
10:10 audiences.
10:11 She then launched into a decidedly heavier version of the tune, leading the crowd in
10:15 fist bumps and laying it all on the line.
10:24 As Swift immersed her entire being into the number, we could feel any rage escaping.
10:29 Of course, the star has given us endless awesome renditions of the hit, bringing it to life
10:33 everywhere from Dancing With The Stars to the Grammys.
10:43 But the 1989 World Tour edition was almost pure punk rock, and remains utterly thrilling
10:48 at every turn.
10:56 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:00 Holy Ground, BBC Radio 1.
11:03 Never underestimate her superb vocals and way with harmonies.
11:13 State of Grace, The X Factor.
11:15 She can sure belt and rock a fedora.
11:24 Eyes Open, VH1 Storytellers.
11:27 A chill but moving couch jam session.
11:36 The Last Time, featuring Gary Lightbody, The X Factor.
11:40 A hypnotic duet that never fails to give us chills.
11:45 Treacherous, Red Acoustic Set.
11:50 An intimately honest lullaby.
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12:15 All Too Well, 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
12:25 Before she was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, Taylor Swift was just a girl
12:28 who wrote songs with her instruments.
12:31 We saw a glimpse of that girl with this 2014 All Too Well performance, when she silenced
12:36 the audience with her voice and piano.
12:44 The intro was striking, passionate, and soulful.
12:47 But even as the band kicked in, our eyes were still transfixed on the star as she poured
12:51 her entire body's energy into each chord.
12:59 Before All Too Well's 10-minute version and its accompanying short film, the stripped-down
13:03 original could still move mountains with its touching emotionality and fiery vulnerability.
13:08 This hauntingly beautiful Grammy performance sure makes it feel like one of Swift's most
13:12 personal songs.
13:20 Which Taylor Redd-era performance did we forget?
13:23 And whatever did happen to that scarf?
13:25 Tell us what you think in the comments.
13:41 [music]