what is father figure by taylor swift about

Taylor Swift's song "Father Figure," from her album The Life of a Showgirl, is about a complex and dark relationship between a mentor or music executive and a young artist, likely reflecting Taylor's own early career experiences. The song is written from the perspective of someone who poses as a protective "father figure" to gain loyalty and profit from the protégé, but the underlying theme is about exploitation, betrayal, and power struggles in the music industry. The lyrics suggest the mentor initially nurtures the artist but ultimately seeks control and profit, referencing deals with the devil and mafia-like protection of "the family." Many interpretations point to the song addressing Taylor's turbulent experience with her former record label and its executive, Scott Borchetta, especially alluding to her real-life battle over her music masters. The song incorporates melody and themes from George Michael's 1987 hit "Father Figure," but Taylor's version turns it into a narrative of broken trust rather than closeness and security. In summary, "Father Figure" is a metaphorical portrayal of loyalty, control, and exploitation in a mentor-protégé relationship within the music industry, reflecting Swift's personal struggles and industry conflicts early in her career.