She's performed under an indoor downpour and unleashed her alter ego "T- Swizzle," rapping alongside T-Pain at June's CMT Awards.

But for her performance debut at the MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift wanted to do something to honor the ceremony's New York homecoming, telling MTV News, "I would love to perform somewhere outside of the venue. I think it could be really cool if it was unlike anything I've ever done at an awards show, which would mean doing it at a different location."

Swift did just that. Minutes after having her acceptance speech [article id="1621389"]interrupted by Kanye West[/article], the Best Female Video winner took to the city's subways and streets to perform her song "You Belong With Me."

Dressed in a brown trench and black beanie, the 19-year-old began her performance busking in the 42nd Street Bryant Park subway station. As her unrequited-love song crescendoed, the country star tossed off her dowdy attire to reveal a knee-length, cherry-red dress, hopping onto the F Train to begin her subway dance party. Flanked by a carful of passengers, the party train docked at the Rockefeller Center stop, where Taylor emerged in front of Radio City Music Hall, ending her performance atop a yellow cab declaring, "I love you, New York!"

Earlier in the evening, Swift, who was also last year's VMA fashion correspondent, arrived at the event in a [article id="1621385"]horse-drawn carriage[/article] sporting a glittery, asymmetrical gown. "I have a castle complex," she joked. "I really like fairy tales."

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards are live now! Stay tuned for the night's big winners, red-carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes updates and more.