Taylor Swift’s Father Figure lyrics have no doubt already been pored over and analysed to the max by Swifties, and for good reason. As fans, it’s frankly our moral duty to do so. After listening to the The Life of A Showgirl track, many were left wondering exactly who is Taylor Swift’s Father Figure about? Allow us to explain.
While on first listen you might be inclined to believe that the Father Figure lyrics allude to an up-and-coming singer who betrayed Swift after her mentorship, when we lay it out like that we can’t help but think this all sounds a little familiar….
The song, which interpolates George Michael’s 1987 song of the same title, tells a far too common story of exploitation in the beat industry.
So, come along with us as we unpack Taylor Swift’s Father Figure lyrics in full.
Taylor Swift Father Figure lyrics explained
Swift has been known to sing from other people’s perspectives, so with that in mind it seems like her Father Figure lyrics are actually from the point of view of the beat executive who gave her her first break and explores the early days of her career.
“When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold / Pulled up to you in the Jag’, turned your rags into gold. The winding road leads to the chateau / “You remind me of a younger me” / I saw potential.”
Through the song, Swift unpacks the ongoing exploitation of artists in the beat industry in explicit lyrics, with the nameless executive seemingly trying to convince Taylor that they will look out for her and have her best interests in mind.
Swift sings that he takes on this “father figure” to win over her trust despite not sincerely looking out for her. The chorus builds on this, saying “I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger / This love is pure profit.”
Clearly, this relationship is also very much a business exchange, with the “pure profit” seemingly being the only reason this relationship works and meaning that she were to stop bringing in the money, they wouldn’t have her back.
Likewise, it sounds like her mentor was ultimately only here for her when they were still able to exert ultimate control over Swift, as is alluded to in lyrics like “I pay the check before it kisses the mahogany grain / Said, “They want to see you rise, they don’t want you to reign” / I showed you all the tricks of the trade / All I ask is for your loyalty / My dear protégé”.
The bridge and final chorus get into the final outcome of this relationship, with Swift turning the power dynamic on its head and asserting her own control. Yes, Tay-Tay.
“You made a offer with this devil, turns out my dick’s bigger / You want a fight, you found it / I got the place surrounded You’ll be sleeping with the fishes before you know you’re drowning / Whose portrait’s on the mantle? / Who covered up your scandals? / Mistake my kindness for weakness and find your card cancelled / I was your father figure / You pulled the wrong trigger / This empire belongs to me.”
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