Taylor Swift Revealed What TV Show Inspired Her Song ‘Father Figure’

Taylor Swift has revealed that her song “Father Figure” from her new album The Life of a Showgirl was inspired by the hit TV show Succession. During her October 6 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Taylor shared that the song was influenced by the complex relationship between Logan Roy—the powerful father—and his children. “I kept thinking about that scene when Logan says, ‘I love you but you are not serious people.’ I think about that scene constantly,” she said.

The song “Father Figure” is written from the point of view of a mentor speaking to a younger protégé. Taylor explained that she wanted to explore power dynamics, loyalty, and betrayal. “It’s like protégé-mentor,” she said. “The idea that power can flip and someone could betray someone—that’s so fun to write.” Even though the lyrics come from the mentor’s voice, Taylor said she personally relates more to the protégé.

She played part of the song for the audience, who sang along. The track includes bold lyrics and even interpolates George Michael’s 1987 hit “Father Figure.” One line from the chorus caught fans off guard: “I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger.” Jimmy Fallon laughed and said, “You always find a way to make fans go, ‘Wait… did she just say that?’” Taylor smiled and replied, “That’s entertainment.”

Taylor said she wanted the song to carry the same energy as Logan Roy’s cold and powerful attitude. She quoted another line from Succession: “You bit the hand that fed you. You do not possess the vernacular to be doing this.” She explained that she wanted her song to feel like that—intense, sharp, and full of emotion.

Even though the song is edgy and written from a powerful character’s view, Taylor said she connects deeply with the younger side of the story. “I relate to the protégé,” she said. “That’s why I love this song so much.” It’s a mix of storytelling, pop culture, and personal emotion—something Taylor does best.

The day before the song was released, George Michael’s estate gave their blessing. In a public letter, they said, “We had no hesitation in agreeing to this association between two great artists, and we know George would have felt the same.” With that, “Father Figure” became not just a bold track—but a tribute to legacy, power, and pop storytelling.