Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has dominated pop culture over the past two years with everyone paying attention to Swift’s outfits, surprise songs and friendship bracelets. But with the tour ending next weekend in Vancouver, Canada, I’ve decided to rank the Eras Tour “eras”—sections of the show that are divided by Swift’s albums. I know I have written two articles in the past about Taylor Swift, but the fun never ends with Swift!
The ranking is based on the recent setlist she’s been performing on her most recent dates. It is ranked by overall aesthetic, including the selections of songs she chose to play from each. Let’s get into it!
9. Red (Taylor’s Version)
Best Song: “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”
Worst Song: “I Knew You Were Trouble”
Why It’s Here: Red isn’t bad, but some of the more popular songs overshadow the ones that are more lyrically beautiful. The first three songs of the era, “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “22” are iconic hits that even non-Swifties know. But they overshadow the deeper cuts that make Red so special, which leaves the era feeling predictable, as fans have heard these tracks at almost all of Swift’s past tours. The lack of variety in the Red era makes it feel like Red is coasting on its greatest hits rather than fully showcasing the depth of the album with unsung gems like “Red” and “State of Grace” or even vault songs like “Nothing New” and “Forever Winter.” While “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” is an incredible closer to the era, the rest feels like it’s missing the deep cuts that hardcore fans love. It’s good—but it could have been great.
8. Midnights
Best Song: “Vigilante Shit”
Worst Song: “Bejeweled”
Why It’s Here: I’ve tried to come up with every justification for why Midnights should be higher on the list, but I just can’t think of one. Midnights happens to be the last era of the show, following the surprise song set, which means it can feel underwhelming after Swifties like me have spent the entire concert waiting to see what surprise songs we’d get. Honestly, the era stretches on too long, especially when people’s feet have been hurting from dancing for three hours straight. Still, there are highlights like the “Vigilante Shit” chair dance, the “Bejeweled” dance and “Karma.” It’s not necessarily that the era is not good but that the length of the show means it becomes overshadowed and exhausting. Perhaps if Midnights were placed earlier in the show and were shortened, it could have been appreciated more fully.
7. Fearless
Best Song: “Fearless”
Worst Song: “Love Story”
Why It’s Here: Over the past few months, the songs on Fearless have grown on me, making me regret my previous ranking. Still, I think Swift made the right choice in shortening this era to the barebones of hits, given the age of the album. Fans have already experienced these songs in past tours, making us naturally prefer to hear the five albums that had not previously been played live. That said, she makes the right choice to perform nostalgic songs like “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.” It’s just the age of the album that makes it undesirable with all the new material performed in this tour.
6. Lover
Best Song: “Cruel Summer”
Worst Song: “You Need to Calm Down”
Why It’s Here: This is one of my least favorite of Swift’s albums solely because I’m not that big of a fan of bubblegum pop. But the opening that combines “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” with “Cruel Summer” is the most memorable part of the tour, lifting the Lover era to the sixth spot. Without that opening, Lover would probably be last as I’m not a huge fan of the rest of the songs that she chooses to do on the setlist—and I’m still upset by Swift’s bold choice to take “The Archer” off the setlist.
5. Speak Now
Best Song: “Enchanted”
Worst Song: There’s only one other song in this era, and I refuse to put it as the worst.
Why It’s Here: I love this album. But Swift did this era dirty by only including one song from it on the setlist. Songs like “Dear John,” “Sparks Fly” and “Back to December” deserve to be there yet somehow are not. It’s a shame because these tracks are some of her most emotionally charged and lyrically profound. While “Enchanted” is one of my favorite performances of the concert, the lack of depth means it doesn’t make the top four eras.
4. 1989
Best Song: “Style”
Worst Song: “Shake It Off”
Why It’s Here: 1989 is one of the most classic Taylor Swift albums and is known as the album that lifted her to the status of pop star. But lowkey, I’m getting a bit tired of everybody saying this era is her best. Yeah, it’s good, but does it have the emotional connection that the top eras do? I don’t think so. It’s a vibrant, fun era, but without the raw, vulnerable storytelling that defines some of her other work, it sometimes feels more like a celebration of Jack Antonoff’s producing abilities than Swift’s songwriting.
3. TTPD
Best Song: “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”
Worst Song: “So High School”
Why It’s Here: The TTPD era really is all over the place with electric songs like “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me” paired with emotionally draining songs like “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.” The unpredictability of the setlist makes it one of the most exciting sections of the show, with each song offering a new vibe that keeps the crowd on its toes. While some may not like the album, I think it is one of the best parts of the show.
2. reputation
Best Song: “Don’t Blame Me”
Worst Song: “Delicate”
Why It’s Here: The Reputation era is the best cinematic era of the show. The show-stopping lights flickering everywhere make the songs shine to their fullest potential. The intense bass, the bold visuals and Swift’s fierce stage presence create an atmosphere of revenge and darkness. Tracks like “Ready for It?” and “Don’t Blame Me” come alive in a way that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of an epic movie. The best part of the era comes during the end of the eclectic bridge of “Don’t Blame Me” where you can tell the technicians got their money’s worth. Overall this era is a true highlight of the show, making it the second-best era.
- Folkmore (Evermore/Folklore)
Best Song: “Champagne Problems”
Worst Song: “Cardigan”
Why It’s Here: Let’s face it: This isn’t just an album (or two); it’s a mood, a mindset and possibly the coziest sweater you’ll ever wear. The Folkmore era is a masterpiece of intimacy and artistry. Swift’s performances of “willow” and “champagne problems” feel like she’s inviting the audience into her living room for a private concert. The visuals of the misty forest and cabin perfectly match the poetic storytelling of these albums. Possibly the best performance is Swift’s “champagne problems,” which she plays on the iconic mossy piano. I’ve seen these eras separate and together, and both times they were amazing. Folklore is already my favorite album, but combined with Evermore, it is even better. Overall, no other era matches the emotions Folkmore brings, making it the best of the best.