The fourth track on Taylor Swift’s brand new 2025 album is titled “Father Figure.” The title of the track takes us to a certain power dynamic that is likely in play here. Who is the father figure to Taylor Swift or is she the father figure to someone else? Let’s dive into the lyrics.
Taylor Swift released her twelfth studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ on October 3, 2025. She calls this album a culmination of a lifetime of experiences and it’s “beautiful,” “rapturous” and “frightening.” The album was produced by Max Martin, Shellback, and Taylor Swift herself.
“Father Figure” song draws inspiration from George Michaels iconic track of the same name from 1987. The song by George Michael shows a tumultuous relationship/power struggle between a taxi driver and a fashion model.
In Amazon track-by-track review of the album, Taylor Swift said this about the song; “I remember just writing the lyrics just like sitting there just being like, “Heheh, heheheh.” It’s the stuff that I’ve always wanted to say. The first line of the second verse is like my favorite in terms of a visual, like, you think about what it means and then you realize it’s just like, a very descriptive way to say something.”
Listen to “Father Figure” by Taylor Swift
Download ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Album on Apple Music
Taylor Swift “Father Figure” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Right from the opening lines we’re introduced to an imbalance in power;
When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold
Pulled up to you in the Jag’, turned your rags into gold
Here, the “mentor” figure rescues a vulnerable person, sees promise, and seems to offer guidance and growth. But there’s an undercurrent: what would normally be a benevolent mentor relationship starts to take on transactional tones eventually. The rescued protégé is not just being helped; there’s an expectation built into the rescue in the name of profits.
I can make deals with the devil because my d*ck’s bigger
This love is pure profit
Just step into my office
The chorus of the song becomes downright evil. Taylor Swift talks about a certain relationship that started sweet and innocent and turned into a toxic wasteland. Someone who took them under their wing, promising guidance, protection, and care turned out to be the one to exploit them.
Taylor talks about how the industry preys on young and upcoming artists to maximize profits. Taylor Swift’s first label, Big Machine Records, signed in Taylor when she was 15-years-old. Their contract was for six albums and she delivered on this. Once Taylor tried to leave the label with ownership to her songs, Big Machine Records refused. This turned into a lengthy legal battle. She was loved by the label until it was time for her to leave.
In the second verse of the song, Taylor talks about how she raked in millions of dollars for these record labels and other affiliates through her success.
Said, “They wanna see you rise, they don’t want you to reign”
This is such a powerful lyric showcasing how the industry keeps their proteges under their watchful eye at all times. The labels absolutely want their artists to succeed. This is how they make money. But do the labels want the artists to have control? or power over any major elements? Absolutely not. So, as long as aritsts bow their heads and do the needful, the industry loves them. Fortunate for Taylor, she was too big at the time she got into the fued with Big Machine Records.
In the final chorus of the song, Taylor Swift lays rest to this power struggle once and for all.
I was your father figure
We drank that brown liquor
You made a deal with this devil, turns out my d*ck’s bigger
In these lyrics, Taylor Swift says that she has been on the same level with this father figure who has been trying to manipulate her into submission. She claims that she was the father figure to this person by being the provider and the protector of this little ‘family.’ Did he drink brown liqour like a hardened man? So did she. Were they able to get their hands dirty to make the biggest deals? Turns out she can play dirty too.
This empire belongs to me
Taylor Swift gets the last words and the last laugh. This music empire belongs to her–not her record label. She secured the rights to the masters of her first six albums eventually and Big Machine Records is a thing of the past. Taylor Swift is a powerhouse that moves economies around the world. She wears the big pants in this relationship.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.