Background

They don’t make loyalty like they used to. But with “Father Figure”, Swift makes it clear that her music empire and her fandom belongs to her. And she earned both.

“Father Figure” is the fourth track on Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, released on October 2025. The song was written and produced by Taylor Swift alongside long-time collaborators Max Martin and Shellback in Stockholm. George Michael is also credit as a writer, the only other person besides the three who are credited in the album.

The George Michael interpolation

The 1980s hook and the melody of George Michael’s “Father Figure” was already a masterpiece. So I understand why Taylor decided to incorporate both to her own music. And while some listeners are familiar with the original, making these creative choices help open the eyes and ears of a new generation to the work of an underrated legend.

I prefer the use of a choir in the original chorus, as opposed to the vocal harmonies used by Swift. But I do think that Swift’s air of revenge, betrayal and exploitation is superior to the intimate and romantic sentiment taken by George Michael. Both are excellent tracks in their own right, and my observations are merely preferences that differ depending on the listener. Having said that, both productions are solid.

Doing justice to George’s classic is a non-negotiable. And Taylor got a seal of approval from the estate, not just to interpolate, but also a shoutout celebrating the original’s inclusion once The Life of a Showgirl was released. Taylor also opted to give George Michael songwriting credit, instead of simply paying for the interpolation. This approach ensures that royalties from the song’s profit get perpetually paid to the estate, instead of a one-off payment to the record label owning the material.

The Cinematic and Corporate Imagery

Taylor Swift has gone on the record and stated that the HBO series Succession was the inspiration for the track. And while I do not imagine Logan Roy when the song plays, I visualise similar settings. Her lyrics have been described as short stories. And that’s usually the case, considering how vivid and specific Taylor gets when she puts her pen to paper.

The winding road led to the chateau. They drank that brown liquor. She paid the check before it kissed the mahogany grain. Her portrait is on the mantel. Suddenly, I’m transported to the cinematic universe of The Godfather, except that the pace is faster, the theme is current, and the circumstance feels more relateable.

The Mentor and the Protégé

This is not the first time Taylor has explored the power dynamics of a mentor and a protege. Since the unfortunate sale by Scott Borchetta to Scooter Braun of her masters (ownership of which has now gone back to her), she’s been exploring this subject matter in her music and in her interviews. “My Tears Ricochet” is a prime example.

But unlike the Folklore track, “Father Figure” has a more nuanced approach. The context to the music industry is specific, and the characters at play are clearer. The mood feels less dramatic, and we get an ending that is conclusive. She claims and owns her power and reclaim what’s rightfully hers.

Conclusion

There were many ways that interpolating “Father Figure” could have turned into a disaster. But if there’s anyone who knows how to pay homage and give the proper attribution to a musician’s work, I trust that’d be Taylor Swift.

She’s not afraid to be inspired. And that hasn’t led to a loss of creativity. Instead, her storytelling is enhanced and elevated, just when I thought that was already at its peak.