Father Figure (Taylor Swift song)

Last updated

"Father Figure"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album The Life of a Showgirl
ReleasedOctober 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
Studio
  • MXM Studios (Stockholm)
  • Shellback Studios (Stockholm)
  • IMRSV Studios (Stockholm)
  • Studio 112 (Jonstorp)
Genre Pop
Length3:32
Label Republic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Taylor Swift
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Lyric video
"Father Figure" on YouTube

"Father Figure" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (2025). The song is inspired by George Michael's 1987 song "Father Figure" and incorporates part of its melody. The song is mainly about Swift's early career and her masters dispute. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

In December 1987, Michael released "Father Figure" along with his album Faith, which became a commercial success. The song was mainly about the singer being involved in a sexual relationship with a person he loved, looking after and protecting them. [3] In 2016, Michael died at the age of 53. [4]

Music and lyrics

George Michael in 1988 George Michael.jpeg
George Michael in 1988

The song contains an interpolation of Michael's song in the form of a re-recorded melody and lyric. As a result, Michael is credited as a co-writer on the track. [5] Following its release, two primary interpretations of the song's subject emerged among listeners and critics. One suggests the lyrics reference Swift's early career and her business relationship with Scott Borchetta, including the subsequent sale of her master recordings to Scooter Braun. [6] The other posits that the song addresses a rumored feud with singer Olivia Rodrigo, alluding to a dispute over songwriting credits. [7]

In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Swift stated the song depicted a mentor–protégé relationship, and was written from the perspective of the mentor. She stated that she related to the protégé character in the song, despite the song being from the perspective of the "father figure". [8]

While Michael's song was about intimacy and protection, Swift's is mainly about revenge and betrayal, alluding to her masters dispute. Lyrics like "When I found you, you were young" reference her initial signing with Big Machine. [1] Lyrics like “I can make deals with the devil 'cause my dick's bigger" and "This love is pure profit" reference how Big Machine Records used Swift as a major source of profit after her initial success. [9] Furthermore, the song alludes to Swift re-gaining her masters by lyrics like "This empire belongs to me", with "empire" referencing her first six albums. [2]

Reception

Pitchfork ' s Shaad D’Souza considered "Father Figure" a standout from the album, describing it as Swift's "most straightforward appraisal of her own power"; D’Souza described how it hides its bitterness "beneath actual jokes". [10] Variety described Swift's "lingering capacity for pure vituperation" in contrast to her romance songs. [11] The New York Times described Swift as singing the song with "cool nerve" and being an "assassin acquiring her target". [12] The Guardian stated the song has "some spiky lines here and there", though "they don’t really click", in part because the song "revisit[s] very well-trodden ground". [13]

"Father Figure" has diverse rankings among other songs in the album. Some described how Swift lays out her career struggles "out for the listener to experience", [14] and that listeners "expected a little bit more with the interpolation". [15] [ unreliable source? ] Others praise the song for Swift's confidence and authority, saying that she "is the music industry" in the song and is one of the "many roles that she played in the album". [16] [ unreliable source? ]

Personnel

Credits adapted from album liner notes. [17]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Father Figure"
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) [18] 35
Australia (ARIA) [19] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [20] 29
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) [21] 30
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [22] 4
Croatia ( Billboard ) [23] 16
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [24] 16
Denmark (Tracklisten) [25] 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [26] 18
France (SNEP) [27] 27
Germany (GfK) [28] 5
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [29] 4
Greece International (IFPI) [30] 4
Hong Kong ( Billboard ) [31] 14
Hungary (Single Top 40) [32] 32
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [33] 9
India International (IMI) [34] 6
Italy (FIMI) [35] 47
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) [36] 5
Lithuania (AGATA) [37] 14
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [38] 6
Malaysia ( Billboard ) [39] 11
Malaysia International (RIM) [40] 13
Middle East and North Africa (IFPI) [41] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [42] 4
Norway (IFPI Norge) [43] 9
Philippines (IFPI) [44] 7
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100) [45] 5
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) [46] 27
Portugal (AFP) [47] 6
Singapore (RIAS) [48] 5
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [49] 25
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [50] 22
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [51] 5
Taiwan ( Billboard ) [52] 22
United Arab Emirates (IFPI) [53] 7
UK Streaming (OCC) [54] 4
UK Video Streaming (OCC) [55] 22
US Billboard Hot 100 [56] 4
Vietnam (IFPI) [57] 20

References

  1. 1 2 West, Bryan (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift redefines 'Father Figure' on 'Showgirl,' confronting past with Scott Borchetta". USA Today . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Bonner, Mehera (October 3, 2025). "Let's Dive Into the Meaning Behind Taylor Swift's Song "Father Figure"". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  3. ↑ Eames, Tom (October 3, 2025). "Father Figure by George Michael: Lyrics, meaning, Taylor Swift reinterpretation and more". Smooth. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  4. ↑ "George Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53". BBC News . December 25, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ Perry, Kevin E G (October 3, 2025). "George Michael Estate Thanks Taylor Swift for Incorporating Classic Song on New Album". The Independent. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  6. ↑ Feneley, Ruby (October 3, 2025). "In 'Father Figure' Taylor Swift Has The Last Word On Her Scooter Braun Masters Saga". ELLE. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  7. ↑ Schiffman, Zach (October 3, 2025). "Are Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo Still Holding a Grudge?". Vulture. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  8. ↑ The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (October 6, 2025). Taylor Swift Breaks Down The Life of a Showgirl's "Wood," "Father Figure" and "The Fate of Ophelia" . Retrieved October 7, 2025– via YouTube.
  9. ↑ Bailey, Alyssa (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Says She 'Can Relate to Both Characters' in Her 'Father Figure' Lyrics". ELLE. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  10. ↑ D’Souza, Shaad (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift: 'Father Figure'". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  11. ↑ Willman, Chris (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's Best 'Life of a Showgirl' Lyrics: A Song-by-Song Guide to the Most Quotable Lines From 'Father Figure,' 'Actually Romantic,' 'Ruin the Friendship' and More". Variety. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  12. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (October 3, 2025). "'The Life of a Showgirl' Review: Taylor Swift Has a Lust for Love (and Her Foes)". New York Times . Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  13. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl review – dull razzle-dazzle from a star who seems frazzled". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  14. ↑ Darney, Caroline (October 3, 2025). "Ranking every Taylor Swift 'Showgirl' song from her new album". For The Win. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  15. ↑ Thompson, Sophie; Robson, Caitlin (October 5, 2025). "Every song from The Life Of A Showgirl, ranked by a Taylor Swift super fan". indy100 . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  16. ↑ Chaverst, Garri (October 3, 2025). "Our Ranking of Every Song on 'The Life of a Showgirl'". The Everygirl. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  17. ↑ The Life of a Showgirl (booklet). Taylor Swift. Republic Records. 2025.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Taylor Swift. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  19. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Father Figure" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  24. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Track Top-40 Uge 40, 2025". Hitlisten . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Taylor-Swift: Father Figure" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Father Figure" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 41/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 41. Birt 11. október 2025 – Næst uppfært 18. október 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  34. ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 13th October 2025 | Week 41 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 41 (dal 03.10.2025 al 09.10.2025)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Teilore Svifta plūc mūzikas topu uzvaras laurus arī Latvijā" [Taylor Swift also tops the music charts in Latvia] (in Latvian). TV Net  [ lv ]. October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  37. ↑ "2025 41-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  40. ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 41 (03/10/2025-09/10/2025)". RIM. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025– via Facebook.
  41. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 41, 2025 – 03/10 to 09/10/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025 and week 41 to view peak.). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Singel 2025 uke 41". IFPI Norge . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  44. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 10/03/2025 to 10/09/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 14, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 41]
  45. ↑ "Billboard Philippines Hot 100 (Week of October 18, 2025)". Billboard Philippines . Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  46. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 03.10.2025–09.10.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Top 200 Singles Semana 41 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  48. ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 41 (3 - 9 Oct 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  49. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  50. ↑ "100 Songs Weekly". Promusicae . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 41" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Taiwan Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  53. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 41, 2025 – 03/10 to 09/10/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025, week 41 and UAE chart to view peak.). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Official Video Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  57. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Vietnam Chart Top 20 from 10/03/2025 to 10/09/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 14, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 41]
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