It’s extremely impressive just how many songs Taylor Swift has been able to play live from her massive discography, but she still has yet to perform a few songs live – including this one that I’d really like to hear. I had the chance to attend two shows on The Eras Tour, one near the very beginning of the tour and one near the end. I’m very fortunate to say that I was actually present in the crowds that heard many of her songs, including the very first audience to ever hear “You’re on Your Own, Kid” live.

While I may have gotten many of the Surprise Songs I wanted at these two shows, there are still a few that Swift has never played before that I would really like her to perform before The Eras Tour ends in Vancouver, especially “Girl At Home” from Red. This, however, could be a big ask; there’s some lore behind “Girl At Home” that makes it unlikely to ever be played, unfortunately, even after it was redone for Red (Taylor’s Version). Here’s why “Girl At Home” remains one of Swift’s never-before played songs, and why I want it to be performed.

Why Hasn’t Taylor Swift Played “Girl At Home” Live Before?

It’s Actually Quite A Controversial Track

What many may not know is that “Girl At Home” is something of a sore subject for Swift and the fandom. When it was first added as a bonus track onto Red (Deluxe), it actually received quite a backlash from her fans, and continues to hold contempt from quite a few of them even today. For some, this is simply because the song itself isn’t overly impressive; its melody and lyrics don’t dive as deep as some of her other revered tracks, and for those who like to plunge below the surface level with Swift, this song simply wasn’t to their taste.

There were, however, some more serious concerns among fans, and that had to do with the writing. This is because in the song, Swift is honest about how her attraction to the man she’s singing about briefly blinds her own morals, but her own experience with being cheated on prevents her from doing the same thing to another woman. She writes, “And it would be a fine proposition / If I was a stupid girl / But honey, I am no-one’s exception / This I have previously learned.” These lyrics are constantly pointed out by fans who oppose this particular track.

Why I’d Love Taylor Swift To Play “Girl At Home”

It Deserves A New Legacy

Despite the backlash it initially received and the way the fandom continues to largely disregard this track, I still think it’s worth hearing live, especially with the way it was reworked for Red (Taylor’s Version). Swift is no stranger to performing songs that have since become controversial; she even changed a lyric on Speak Now‘s “Better Than Revenge (Taylor’s Version)”, yet she continues to play this song live from time-to-time to fans who absolutely can’t get enough of it. Some fans even protested that particular lyric change and still sing the original.

I personally think that “Girl At Home” has the kind of melody that would be fun to hear Swift perform live, especially in her current era of mashups. There are a lot of options for songs that Swift could blend with this one, whether she’s aiming for similar melodies or similar storytelling, and it would be wonderful to hear another song from the highly-revered Red album played live. I honestly think it could also improve the song’s legacy, proving that Swift truly won’t let her fans entirely dictate her life – a point she makes in “But Daddy, I Love Him.”

What Are The Chances Of Taylor Swift Playing It?

Unfortunately, They Seem Slim

Despite my personal desire to see this song hit the stage, it seems dubious that it will happen – at least, on The Eras Tour. Swift may be willing to break away from what her fans claim to want for her, but this song simply isn’t championed by enough people to really see it performed live. It seems more likely that Swift would go for another non-played option, such as “Bye Bye Baby (Taylor’s Version)”, which certainly fits the theme of saying goodbye to The Eras Tour. I can only really see “Girl At Home” being played for a Red-specific occasion.

Admittedly, while I would love to see this song played live, if only to allow Swift to give another take on it over a decade after its initial release, I would also understand if it never was. None of the songs on Swift’s never-before-played-live list are in my regular rotation. This is why I’m uncertain of the odds of Swift ever playing this track live; if she hasn’t played it yet on this tour, then when would she? Still, I have hope that one day, Taylor Swift will give us a live rendition of “Girl At Home.”