Earlier this week there were reports that Taylor Swift had been selected as the halftime show performer for the upcoming Super Bowl, which obviously made me excited. (I don’t care for football but I’ve always wanted to see Taylor perform the halftime show!) It was later reported that Taylor turned down the offer so that she could re-record all of her first six albums first. It was letdown to hear she wouldn’t be performing but it made sense since sales for Super Bowl halftime show performers always skyrockets, and it’s in Taylor’s best interest to have full ownership of all her albums before headlining a halftime show. (If you’re unaware about issue with Taylor’s music and who owns it, I wrote about it last year).
Until the day comes (and I believe it will happen one day), I decided to make my own dream setlist for Swift’s halftime show. Actually, I made two setlists: one I think she would actually do, and one that I want her to do. This took me literally hours because halftime shows are typically 15 minutes long, so I couldn’t include all of the songs I wanted or that I think she’d perform. Regarding the setlist I think she’d perform, the criteria I used were (based on previous halftime shows):
The songs had to be a hits, almost always a singles (sorry, “Cruel Summer”)
The songs had to be upbeat (the halftime shows are lively and energetic, so some of my favorite songs that are slower couldn’t be considered)
Below you’ll find the two setlists I’ve brainstormed:
Taylor’s Version
ME! (feat. Brendan Urie)
Yes, this is Taylor’s ‘worst’ song, but I think it’s colorful and exciting enough that she’d have it start the show. Brendan Urie will probably show up to perform too since halftime shows often have guest appearances. Based on this previous performance of the song, I wouldn’t ‘hate’ seeing this start the show. (It begins with a drumline! It’s colorful and fun!)
Blank Space
Once we get “ME!” out of the way, I can already hear fans cheering hearing the opening beats of “Blank Space,” arguably one of the best pop songs of all time. I’m like 99.99999% confident this song will be in Swift’s actual halftime show—it’s one of her best songs!
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
It might be shocking to some of you, but “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (from her fourth studio album “Red”) was Taylor’s first #1 song. Taylor would definitely include one of her older songs in the setlist and it’d probably be this one.
Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
This isn’t a great song lyrically but it’s fun and catchy enough to where I can see her include it in her show. Plus, it would give an excuse to have rapper Kendrick Lamar to make a special appearance since he was on the single version of the song, which might excite Super Bowl audience members who may not be fans of Taylor’s music but are fans of Kendrick’s.
The Man / Look What You Made Me Do
“The Man” is another fun and catchy song, but with a feminist message, and the Super Bowl is a great platform for her to spread a “non-controversial” message. “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? ‘Cause she’s dead!” People made fun of her for this song, but no matter what “Look What You Made Me Do” is fun to sing along to and watch. I can see giant snakes being part of the performance (the ones from her Reputation Stadium Tour).
Love Story
I don’t think any setlist would be complete without “Love Story,” which is probably Taylor’s most famous song. This would probably be the one song during the halftime show where she’d sit down and play the piano, playing a more toned down song compared to the rest of the show.
“Shake It Off” is the perfect ending song. It’s fun, catchy, energetic, and colorful. I can already see fireworks and/or confetti everywhere. She’d probably have some of her famous women friends make surprise appearances too, like Camila Cabello, Selena Gomez, and Charli XCX.
Kent’s Version
There’s no other perfect introductory song than “…Read For It?” The song’s literally asking us if we’re ready for her? The answer’s no! The lyrics “Baby, let the games begin” can be a reference to the game! Plus, the song was first teased during a football game in 2017, which would make it come full circle.
Blank Space
Getaway Car / Cruel Summer
Neither of these songs were singles because Taylor loves to make us fans mad (technically “Getaway Car” was an international single), but they pair well together thanks to their similar instrumentals produced by Jack Antonoff. (I mean just listen to the transition fans made of the songs!) These two songs are among my favorite Taylor songs, they’re fun to sing to, and have great production values. I’d love to see them get exposure on a widely-viewed event like the Super Bowl, but it’d never happen.
End Game (feat. Future and Ed Sheeran)
This is a fun pop and hip-hop song that would let rapper Future and singer Ed Sheeran make special appearances, plus we’d get to see Taylor rap (lol).
If Taylor had to include a song with a “message,” I’d pick “Only The Young,” a non-album single that was released with her Netflix documentary ‘Miss Americana’. It’s a song about youth empowerment, voting, gun violence, etc., which is timely.
Love Story - 1989 Version
Taylor famously sings a new rendition of “Love Story” at each of her stadium tours. My favorite is her 1989-inspired version, which is more synth-pop-based
Shake It Off
first three on kent’s list.....absolutely yes plz