'Father Figure': Who Taylor Swift is referencing in this song?

On her new album The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift pays tribute to the late George Michael with the song Father Figure, which not only shares its title with Michael’s 1987 hit but also incorporates a melody from the original track’s chorus.

This collaboration earned Michael a songwriting credit alongside Swift and producers Max Martin and Shellback. 

While Michael’s original is sung from the perspective of a man wanting to be a “preacher,” “teacher,” and notably a “daddy” to his younger lover, Swift’s version adopts a darker tone.

She sings from the viewpoint of a figure in the music industry—possibly a mentor or executive—who cares for a “protégé,” demanding “loyalty” in exchange.

The track contains Mafia-inspired metaphors such as “protecting the family” and the ominous line, “You’ll be sleeping with the fishes,” evoking The Godfather.

Among its lyrics are Easter eggs, including the phrase “They don’t make loyalty like they used to,” recently decoded by fans.

Swift previously paid homage to Michael by covering Wham!’s Last Christmas on her 2007 holiday EP.

Read the complete lyrics of 'Father Figure' below:

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

I’ll be your father figure

I drink that brown liquor

I can make deals with the devil

Because my dick’s bigger

This love is pure profit

Just step into my office

I dry your tears with my sleeve

Leave it with me

I protect the family

Leave it with me

I protect the family

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 for is your loyalty

My dear protégé

I’ll be your father figure

I drink that brown liquor

I can make deals with the devil

Because my dick’s bigger

This love is pure profit

Just step into my office

They’ll know your name in the streets

Leave it with me

I protect the family

I saw a change in you

My dear boy

They don’t make loyalty like they used to

Your thoughtless ambition sparked the ignition

On foolish decisions which led to misguided visions

That to fulfill your dreams

You had to get rid of me

I protect the family

I was your father figure

We drank that brown liquor

You made a deal 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

Leave it with me

I protect the family

Leave it with me

I protect the family

Leave it with me

You know, you remind me of a younger me

I saw potential