Top 10 Best Taylor Swift Speak Now Era Performances
#10: “Sparks Fly”
“CMA Music Festival” (2011)
This is one of the most recognizable songs from Swift’s third studio album, and her performances of it have been truly memorable over the years. When she sang it during her “Speak Now World Tour,” she took our breath away amid intense lights and pyrotechnics while donning a gold dress. She also absolutely crushed her rendition at the “iHeartRadio Music Festival” in Las Vegas.But we just have to talk about how she brought the number to life at the 2011 CMA Music Festival. It was undeniably iconic, with her passion shining through each word. The folks in the Nashville crowd were joyously cheering and singing along, and we can hardly blame them.
#9: “Mine”
“Live on Letterman” (2010-15)
“Mine” is a fantastic tune to jam to, whether Taylor Swift is singing it for you or you’re in your car belting it out solo. Though if given a choice, we’ll always opt for a chance to hear Swift live! There are countless examples of her nailing the song everywhere from the “Speak Now World Tour” to the “CMA Music Festival”. Still, it’s her rendition of it for “Live on Letterman” that left us with chills. It was perfectly simple, allowing the full weight and meaning of the lyrics to shine through. You can tell Swift belongs on stage, as evidenced by this showing and the way she brought the house down while singing “Speak Now” during the concert series.
#8: “Dear John”
“Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
“Dear John” clocks in at a little under 7 minutes, making it its album’s lengthiest number. But make no mistake, Swift had no trouble keeping audiences hooked while she sang it during the “Speak Now World Tour.” We felt like we were stargazing watching the atmospheric lights and her flowing dress. Of course, the star we were truly gazing upon was Swift herself, and we couldn’t look away. Between that, the raw lyrics she immersed herself in, the spine-tingling guitar work of her band, and those finale fireworks, it’s hard not to be enthralled by this performance.
#7: “The Story of Us”
“Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
One of the more upbeat songs from this era, “The Story of Us” is about the discomfort you might feel when encountering an ex. But there’s been nothing uncomfortable about Swift’s performances of it. Her rendition on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” had us absolutely beaming. But how could we not spotlight the “Speak Now” tour performance? It brought us to our knees! Her infectious energy was matched only by the crowd, while everything from the staircase to the dancers’ choreography flawlessly set the tone. It was also reminiscent of the super fun music video’s energy, and we couldn’t – and still can’t – get enough.
#6: “Mean”
“46th Academy of Country Music Awards” (2011)
One of the most popular “Speak Now” songs around fittingly has been performed in a plethora of unforgettable ways and places. Watching Swift play “Mean” live in New York, we were in awe. And we could never forget her 2012 Grammys rendition, the same ceremony at which she won two awards for that very tune! Still, our favorite performance of “Mean” took place at the ACM Awards in 2011. The vintage, country vibe of the staging and costuming, paired with the personality in Swift’s voice, made for a show we won’t soon forget. There’s simply no mean thing we could ever say about this one – it’s glowing with star power.
#5: “Long Live” / “New Year’s Day”
“Reputation Stadium Tour” (2018)
“Long Live” is powerful, and warrants performances that are as moving as the triumphant tune. Of course, Taylor Swift has never failed us in this regard. During her 2010 NBC Thanksgiving Special and the “Speak Now World Tour” about a year later, she performed it with an intensity and emotion that left us spellbound. When she brought it to the stage for her “Reputation Stadium Tour” though, she stopped us dead in our tracks by mashing it up with “New Year’s Day”. Stripping the number to its roots, she let her voice and the piano do the talking. It was mesmerizing, allowing the audience to breathe in each lyric and the meaning behind them. We still get choked up watching it today.
#4: “Back to December”
“44th Annual Country Music Association Awards” (2010)
Here’s another instance where Taylor Swift changed our lives with her performances during both her Thanksgiving special and her “Speak Now World Tour”. But there’s a different rendition of “Back to December” that really stands out from the crowd. Indeed, what Swift delivered at the 2010 CMAs was breathtaking. She sat at a majestic piano singing her heart out, with the orchestra accompanying her adding to the melancholy inherent in the ballad. That, plus the seasonal backdrop that made us feel like we were literally traveling back to December, made for a deeply meaningful performance that highlighted the song’s apologetic nature.
#3: “Enchanted”
“Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
This is one aptly named power ballad, because Swift’s performances of it over the years have been some of the most enchanting we’ve ever seen. During the “Speak Now World Tour,” it was brought to life with the help of ballet dancers, sparkling backdrops, and gorgeous costuming. Of course, her vocals and the song itself are strong enough to stand on their own. But mixed with the spellbinding visuals and choreography, the result was somehow even more irresistible. Swift also charmed us by mashing this tune up with a later hit, “Wildest Dreams,” during her “1989 World Tour.” That, and her special Thanksgiving performance in 2010 were also magnetic. Still, nothing beats the gorgeous, theatrical version we got during her 2011-12 world tour!
#2: “Speak Now”
“Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
It makes sense that one of Swift’s best performances is of the song the “Speak Now” album was named after. Unique and wrapped in a play-like energy, this live version of the tune was ideally matched to its talk of crashing a wedding and speaking up before it's too late, largely recreating the scenario outlined in the lyrics. Swift not only looked stunning as she danced and smiled in her purple dress, she also sounded fantastic and really sold the story – as did the rest of the performers. The colorful outfits and fun tie-ins further added to the atmosphere, making it impossible to sit still. We might not ever actually crash a wedding, but we can always watch this performance if we feel like pretending.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“White Blank Page”, BBC
Swift’s Cover of This Mumford & Sons Tune Could Send Chills Down Anyone’s Spine
“Ours”, “45th Annual Country Music Association Awards” (2011)
Performing on a Couch, Swift Delivered a Performance We Can Only Describe as Lovely
“Last Kiss”, “Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
Who Could Forget the Guitar Moments & Pure Emotion Here?
“Better than Revenge”, “Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
You Might Say This Performance Was Better Than Revenge
#1: “Haunted”
“Speak Now World Tour” (2011-12)
It’s clear that Taylor Swift’s best performances from the “Speak Now” era are the ones that happened during her 2011-12 world tour, and this is no exception. “Haunted” is one of her most underrated works, and this powerful rendition is one additional reason it deserves to be talked about endlessly. The deep romantic red dress she donned set the tone for the dark and moody performance that unfolded. That, alongside the trees and lights created something we can only describe as hypnotic. The drama, the bell banging, the wonderfully poetic dancing, and of course Swift’s passionate singing, made this a picture perfect performance.
What was your favorite Taylor Swift performance from the “Speak Now” era? Let us know in the comments!