The Man

The Man

As mentioned in previous posts, Taylor Swift is my absolute favorite artist and her new album Lover is full of new songs with great messages.

I could list a million reasons why her music is so amazing; it resonates with so many fans.

In this blog post I've decided to highlight some key quotations from various articles surrounding this song as well as my favorite lyrics.

USA Today: "Dear Taylor Swift, you are not a victim so stop acting like one."

Hayley Smith argues that the public perception of Taylor is not a negative one. She quotes various articles highlighting the positives that they had to say about Taylor:

"In an article last month for Vogue, Michelle Ruiz applauded Swift’s decision to defy Big Machine Records and rerecord her old songs, calling it 'the ultimate power move.'"

Smith acknowledges the argument for sexism and "gender-based oppression" but claims that this attempt at feminism isn't empowering, instead is shows women playing the victim rather than strong individuals who don't need protection. 

Smith continues on to explain that women are very capable of many things today and that Taylor Swift's femininity has been an asset to her fame and success. And while she has endured some sexism, she has overcome it with bravery. Smith compares her obstacles to women around the world who endure much harsher discrimination and oppression because of their gender:

"But in far too many places across the globe, women are victims of honor killings, female genital mutilation, acid attacks and child marriage. In the face of all that, megamillionaire and pop sensation Taylor Swift’s sweeping anger over “perception issues” just seems silly."

While Smith undermines the importance of this song, she misses the point a little bit. Music brings people together; even the most outrageously famous women feel like they have to take two steps for every one that a man takes. Taylor has been very successful in her career, but I think the song highlights just how much hard work and determination it took to get there. 

Forbes: "Why Lover Track 'The Man' is the Most Important Song Taylor Swift has Ever Written"

Brittney Hodak, self-proclaimed "super-fan expert", has nothing but positivity to pour over this track. 

"it's a brilliant portrayal of the subtle and not-so-subtle sexism women face every day."

She continues to compare the different verses to instances in which women face sexism, predominantly in the workplace. Hodak highlights the wage gap between men and women as well as the doubts that women face for their ideas and appearance. 

"The magic of "The Man" is not just that it captures a complex (and often misunderstood) issue so brilliantly and simply, but also that it conveys to Swift's female fans that even she isn't above the BS that so many of us are regularly subjected to."

Hodak finishes the article with what I feel is the most important point of this track's message: you are not alone. While unfortunate that so many women feel this way, it happens to us all. Hodak says that "camaraderie and relatability" are Taylor's trademark; her music makes people feel like they aren't the only ones.

The Atlantic: "Why Taylor Swift Want to Be 'The Man'"

Spencer Kornhaber gives us the most neutral of these articles. He compares this track to other tracks like Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" and Ciara's "Like a Boy" in which the lyrics talk about wanted to be a different gender. Differently, "The Man" is in reference to reputation rather than relationships. Lately, Taylor has moved past the relationship songs and into talking about her reputation and the people tearing her down rather than the boys breaking her heart. He ends the article on a positive note: Taylor does bring new conversations to light, so when are we going to start talking?

If Swift’s song makes a familiar point, it’s still a valid one. How many more times will it need to be made before it’s not?"

They'd say I hustled

Put in the work
They wouldn't shake their heads
And question how much of this I deserve

What I was wearing, if I was rude

Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves

What's it like to brag about raking in dollars
And getting bitches and models?
And it's all good if you're bad
And it's okay if you're mad

If I was out flashin' my dollas

I'd be a bitch, not a baller

They'd paint me out to be bad

So it's okay that I'm mad