Leading up to the release of Taylor Swift‘s The Tortured Poets Department, one question lingered in the backs of Swiftie minds for months: How would the new album affect the already three-hour-plus setlist of the pop star’s ongoing global Eras Tour?
When the record finally dropped April 19, bringing with it not just 16 pre-announced tracks, but 15 surprise bonus songs as well, their concerns were only exacerbated. How could Swift possibly slim down her pre-Tortured Poets setlist to fit any new material once she hit the road again? Where would she even begin selecting just a handful of the 31 songs on TTPD to include? Would she even bother trying? (Based on a video the singer posted of recent rehearsals for her next run of shows, which kicks off May 9 in Paris, the answer to that last question is most likely a “Yes.”)
It’s no small task, especially given that no matter what the “Anti-Hero” singer cuts or adds, some fans are bound to be upset when their favorites inevitably don’t make the final listing. Even so, Billboard has risen to the challenge, selecting the best possible collection of Tortured Poets tracks to represent Swift’s newest era while trimming the fat of past eras for an updated, ultimate dream Eras Tour setlist.
Some songs were hard to say good-bye to (sorry, “Mastermind”), and others were truly painful to not extend an invitation (don’t hate us, “Guilty as Sin?”). But in service of a well-rounded, comprehensive Eras experience, difficult decisions had to be made. Keep reading to see how Swift should move forward with her trek, Tortured Poets and all — plus, an idea on how her debut album Taylor Swift can finally get its flowers — below.
