Taylor Swift’s latest single from 2019’s
Lover has the singer wondering how her life and career would be different if she were a man. Been there, Taylor. Swift finally gets to experience society from a different point of view in “The Man,” undergoing a transformation that leaves the singer unrecognizable and acting like the worst. Yelling at wait staff? Ugh.Making her solo directorial debut, Swift is both behind and in front of the camera for her new music video. Playing a high-powered businessman, Swift’s ‘man’ belittles his employees, manspreads on the subway, treats women like commodities, and is a poor sport, eventually marrying a woman who could be his granddaughter. Swift’s dad Scott Swift makes a fun cameo in the video as the referee who tries to discipline that man when he begins arguing during a charity match. Again, the worst.
Known for her Easter eggs in music videos, Swift takes aim at a man who made her life difficult in 2019. In one scene, Swift’s man pees glitter in public while standing in front of a wall displayed with the names of Swift’s records as well as a ‘Taylor Swift is Missing’ and ‘No Scooter’ sign. Scooter Braun shade? Scooter Braun shade. The credits are also clearly a dig at the music manager, stating that the song and video for “The Man” are owned by Swift, another nod to her tumultuous 2019 with Braun.The video ends with ‘the man’ breaking from filming and approaching his director for feedback. Swift delivers critiques she’s heard throughout her career, asking the video’s star "Can you try to be sexier? Maybe more likable this time?" And as if there was any doubt, Taylor Swift as a man sounds like Dwyane Johnson. That’s kinda what we assumed.[video_embed id='1833414']RELATED: Taylor Swift takes aim at Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun...again[/video_embed]The closing shot of the video shows Swift being outfitted with prosthesis, contacts, a wig and makeup to become the man. Though unrecognizable, a knowing wink at the beginning of the video let viewers in on the secret that the powerful man they’re watching is really music’s most powerful woman.Swift chose February 27 at the release date for “The Man” because of its cultural and political significance for women. On February 27, 1992, the US Supreme Court upheld the 19
th amendment of the voting rights for women. Swift hinted at this connection earlier in the week when teasing her new video.
Today’s video follows Swift’s animated lyric video for “
The Man,” which she released on February 7, followed by a performance video of the popstar performing “The Man” live on stage in Paris.“The Man” is the fourth single from Swift’s
Lover and marks the first time Swift is taking the directing reigns solo. The video for “Me!,” the album’s lead single with Brandon Urie, was directed by Swift and Dave Meyers. Swift and Drew Kirsch also share directing credits on “Lover” and “You Need To Calm Down.”[video_embed id='-1']Before you go: Fearless pug puppy thinks she's a big dog[/video_embed]
