Taylor Swift Takes Aim At Double Standards In ‘The Man’ Music Video
Feb 27, 2020, 8:17 AM | Updated: 8:26 am
THE INTERNET – Taylor Swift made her directorial debut with her newest music video on Thursday.
Not only did she write and direct “The Man,” but Swift also plays the starring role of The Man.
In the video, the “Miss Americana” star dons full drag – complete with a beard and hairy legs – and goes about doing stereotypical man things, such as “manspreading” on a subway car, urinating in public, and being angry without apparent consequences.
Just sitting here pondering how happy I am that The Man music video is OUT. I want to say thank you to so many people- Gotta thank @TheRock for voicing The Man and for being so supportive of my music for years (and now my directorial debut!)- pic.twitter.com/6G9G21Lw8J
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 27, 2020
It also takes a jab at music manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Swift’s music catalogue in 2019. During one scene, The Man character is in front of a wall where the names of Swift’s past albums have been graffitied, along with a notification that reads “MISSING: If found, return to Taylor Swift.”
Also on the wall is a sign showing that scooters are prohibited.
The video finishes up with a final piece of commentary on how men and women are treated differently in the entertainment industry.
The Man comes up to Swift, who’s sitting in a director’s chair, after the final scene.
“Hey, just checking,” The Man says (voiced by Dwayne Johnson). “Was that last take more what you had in mind?”
“Pretty good,” Swift says. “Could you try to be sexier? Maybe more likable this time?”
The song comes from her 2019 album, “Lover,” which includes chart-toppers “ME!” and “You Need to Calm Down.”
Watch here. Viewer discretion is advised.
