An interpretation of “The Man” by Taylor Swift
You may listen to this song because you love Taylor Swift, because it’s fun to dance to, or just because you heard it on the radio. Or you can be like me and listen to this song because the meaning behind the lyrics is an exquisite representation of gender inequality today in America. Taylor starts the song with “I would be complex, I would be cool”(Swift 1-2), where she refers to how if she were a man, she could do things like, date a number of people without getting the hate that she does. If a man were to date a bunch of women, it would make him cool, and people would excuse his behavior because it’s considered socially acceptable for a man to do. They’d say “Boys will be Boys”, a phrase commonly used to excuse boys/men of inexcusable actions that have become commonplace for the male population. In the case of a woman, she’d be called profanities and disrespected because there is a double standard.
She also mentions how when men are successful, they aren’t questioned on whether they deserve success. In the case of a woman being successful, like Taylor, people tend to question how she got there. Did she use her looks to gain success? How was she dressed? Questions like these don’t come to mind when it comes to men, rather people say: Wow he put in so much hard work to get to where he is now.
Another one of Taylor Swift’s lyrics, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can. Wonderin’ if I’d get there quicker if I was a man”(Swift 11-12), refers to the sad truth that if a man and woman were to put in the same amount of work toward the same goal, in this society a man is going to get there first. The reason he will be able to achieve his goal faster and easier is because men are naturally aided in society more than women are. Our country is set up in a way that supports men in their goals and prohibits women from reaching theirs.
Taylor also writes, “If I was out flashing my dollars. I’d be a bitch, not a baller”(Swift 42-43). In these lines she mentions yet another double standard. She writes how if she, as a woman, were to show off her money it would not be seen as cool or impressive. Rather she’d be seen as a bitch rubbing her success in people’s faces. On the other hand, when men do the same, they’re ‘ballers’ and considered cool and impressive.
Overall, Taylor employs songwriting to send strong messages to her audience. In this song, she sends an important message of feminism as she challenges the clear inequalities in society when it comes to how men are perceived versus women. I believe it is important to look deeper into her lyrics because as seen in “The Man” she may be addressing serious issues that need to be brought to light immediately.
I really enjoyed reading this blog! As a fellow Swiftie, what’s super annoying to me is when people say that her songs are only just about her dating life because in a way it honestly feels like they’re just making up even more excuses to subject her to even more misogyny than she already faces. Which is why I’m glad you covered this song first! I agree that this song’s message should be discussed more in the context that she presents it in. Looking forward to the next one!