"On "Father Figure," Swift transforms into a mob boss of the music world, who discovers a diamond in the rough. "When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold," she opens the song. "'You remind me of a younger me,' I saw potential." And as a label head, she's not afraid to wield power, taunting, "I can make deals with the devil because my d*ck's bigger.""
"Eventually, he starts demanding more from his artist, mirroring her own perspective of the music industry. "I showed you all the tricks of the trade," she sings. "All I ask for is your loyalty, my dear protégé." But the student eventually becomes the master, as Swift shifts perspective from a naive young artist to the person in charge, ousting her corrupt mentor and reclaiming control."
""Father Figure" interpolates George Michael's classic 1987 hit of the same name, with the late singer being credited as a songwriter alongside Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback. Michael's estate praised the song in a statement posted to Instagram, stating they were "delighted" when Swift and her team reached out to get their blessing. "When we heard the track we had no hesitation in agreeing to this association between two great artists, and we know Georgewould ha"
Taylor Swift inhabits the role of a music‑industry mob boss in "Father Figure," portraying a label head who finds and grooms a young, lost artist. The narrator recalls "When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold" and claims to see potential, teaching the protégé "all the tricks of the trade" while demanding loyalty. Power dynamics shift as the protégé becomes a rival and the narrator ousts a corrupt mentor, delivering threats like "You'll be sleeping with the fishes before you know you're drowning." The track interpolates George Michael's 1987 "Father Figure," credits Michael alongside Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback, and received praise from Michael's estate.
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