“I can connect to that song”: Taylor Swift keeps “Love Story” in her setlist as a nostalgic thread woven through every era of her career

Taylor Swift has always kept “Love Story” close to her heart. The song became one of her most iconic hits. It’s been part of countless fans' special moments, creating lasting memories and emotional connections that have stood the test of time. As her first global No. 1, the track marks a major milestone in her career and continues to be a powerful connection between her and her audience, earning its permanent place in her setlist.

In a throwback interview with NPR, Taylor Swift revealed that “Love Story” is one song she’ll never leave out of her setlist. She wrote it at 17, inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet, and over the years it’s become one of her most iconic tracks. Swift said fans often tell her how the song has been a part of their major life moments; some even walked down the aisle to it.
She sees it as a timeless connection between her and her audience, especially since it was her first big global hit. Even after re-recording it as “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” in 2021 to reclaim her music, she kept the original heart of the song intact. No matter how much her sound evolves, Love Story still feels just as magical to her and to her fans.

“When I do a live show, there are certain songs fans really want to hear, and I’m gonna always play those songs,” she said. “There’s a song called ‘Love Story’ that I wrote when I was 17… I’m going to be playing that as long as I’m playing concerts. I can go back and I can connect to that song because of the stories I’ve heard from fans,” she said.
Love Story marked a turning point in Taylor Swift’s career her first No. 1 hit across the globe, it was the song that propelled her from a rising country artist to a worldwide pop sensation. Nearly 20 years later, its charm hasn’t faded. It remains a fan favorite, the fairy tale anthem everyone still wants to hear.
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Even after all these years and countless hits, Love Story remains a defining piece of Taylor Swift’s journey, a reminder of where it all began and the bond she shares with her fans. And as long as she’s performing, this timeless anthem isn’t going anywhere.