Who are Taylor Swift's 'Father Figure' lyrics about? The true meaning explained

6 October 2025, 09:56

By Sam Prance

Is Taylor Swift's 'Father Figure' about Scott Borchetta? Here's what Taylor Swift's said about the meaning behind her new 'Father Figure' lyrics.

I protect the family, leave it with me! Taylor Swift's wild 'Father Figure' lyrics are going viral but who are they about?

Ever since rumours first surfaced that Taylor Swift had sampled George Michael on her new song 'Father Figure', fans have been desperate to find out what it's about. George Michael's estate have since issued a statement praising the song: "When we heard the track we had no hesitation in agreeing to this association between two great artists."

Now, 'Father Figure' is here and fans are convinced that Taylor is calling out her former boss Scott Borchetta on the song. So what is the truth? Here's a break down of the lyrics and everything that Taylor has said about it so far.

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What is Taylor Swift's 'Father Figure' about?

Are Taylor Swift's 'Father Figure' lyrics about Scott Borchetta?

In 'Father Figure', Taylor seems to take on the persona of a music industry boss finding a new talent. She sings: When I found you you were young, wayward, lost in the cold / Pulled up to you in the Jag, turned your rags into gold.

Taylor then promises to protect the young ingenue in the chorus. She declares: I'll be your father figure, I drink that brown liquor / I can make deals with the devil because my d---'s bigger / This love is pure profit, just step into my office / I'd dry your tears with my sleeve, leave it with me / I protect the family, leave it with me.

Based on Taylor's own story, it appears that 'Father Figure' is about her former boss Scott Borchetta. Scott signed Taylor to Big Machine Records at the start of her career at age 15 but their relationship notoriously turned sour when Scott refused to sell Taylor her masters and traded them with Scooter Braun instead.

Scott saw himself as Taylor's "father figure" but ultimately betrayed her in the end.

Taylor then flips 'Father Figure' in the final chorus. She becomes the father figure herself and points out that she's the one who outsmarted Scott in the end: I was your father figure, we drank that brown liquor / You made a deal with this devil, turns out my d---'s bigger / You want a fight you found it, I got the place around it.

Making clear who is in charge of her career and owns her work, following on from her Taylor's Version re-recording journey (and later, the re-purchasing of her masters), Taylor ends by saying: This empire belongs to me, leave it with me.

Fans have also noticed an Easter egg in the 'Father Figure' lyrics that appears to allude to her first six albums.

Throughout the song, Taylor sings, 'I protect the family', exactly six times and now fans are convinced that each one is a nod to Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation.

Discussing the song with Amazon Music, Taylor said: “The lyrics of ‘Father Figure’ are my favourites. I remember writing and just laughing to myself. They’re things I’ve always wanted to say. The first line of the second verse is probably my favorite in terms of visual imagery: you think about what it means and realise it’s just a very descriptive way of saying something."

She added: "I love that line, and I also love the chorus lyrics with the tone shift. It was really fun to write, I love getting into that kind of character.”

Taylor Swift - 'Father Figure' lyrics

VERSE 1
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

CHORUS
I'll be your father figure, I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my d---'s bigger
This love is pure profit, just step into my office
I'd dry your tears with my sleeve, leave it with me
I protect the family, leave it with me
I protect the family

VERSE 2
I pay the cheque 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 you for is your loyalty, my dear protégée

CHORUS
I'll be your father figure, I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my d---'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

BRIDGE
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
Led to fulfil your dreams, you had to get rid of me
I protect the family

CHORUS
I was your father figure, we drank that brown liquor
You made a deal with this devil, turns out my d---'s bigger
You want a fight you found it, I got the place around it
You'll be sleeping with the fishes before you know you're drowning
Who's on the mantle, who covered up your scandals
Mistake your 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

OUTRO
You know you remind me of a younger me, I saw potential

Read all the latest Taylor Swift news here:

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• Taylor Swift explains romantic double meaning behind ‘Honey' lyrics
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