Depart it to Taylor Swift to show us all into poetry consultants. Any time the worldwide tremendous star releases a brand new album, Swifties pull aside the lyrics of her new songs. And with the October 3, 2025, launch of The Lifetime of a Showgirl, many are dissecting one monitor particularly: “Father Determine.”
Hollywood Life breaks down the lyrics of “Father Determine” and its which means beneath.
Is Taylor Swift’s ‘Father Determine’ a Remix of the George Michael Tune?
No, Taylor’s “Father Determine” just isn’t a brand new model of George Michael‘s 1987 track of the identical identify, however hers is an interpolation of his. Which means that Taylor included a portion of his composition into her new monitor.
George’s X workforce thanked Taylor in a public assertion following the discharge of The Lifetime of a Showgirl.
“We had been delighted when Taylor Swift and her workforce approached us earlier this yr about incorporating an interpolation of George Michael’s basic track ‘Father Determine’ right into a model new track of the identical title to be featured on her forthcoming album,” George’s X account workforce tweeted. “Once we heard the monitor, we had no hesitation in agreeing to this affiliation between two nice artists and we all know George would have felt the identical. George Michael Leisure needs Taylor each success with The Lifetime of a Showgirl and ‘Father Determine.’”
What Is ‘Father Determine’ About?
In accordance with its lyrics, “Father Determine” is a mirrored image of somebody making Taylor their “protégé” throughout the early days of her profession and anticipating her “loyalty.” The monitor additionally seemingly features a few references from The Godfather, with lyrics comparable to “You’ll be sleeping with the fishes” and “defending the household” hinting at a mob boss archetype.
Who Is ‘Father Determine’ About?
Taylor doesn’t identify any individual particularly in “Father Determine,” however Swifties instantly thought of her falling out with Scooter Braun and Large Machine Data government Scott Borchetta, who made Taylor the primary signed artist with Large Machine. Scott met Taylor when she was a 14-year-old nation music singer.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Father Determine’ Lyrics
Within the refrain of “Father Determine,” Taylor sings from the attitude of a mafia-esque mentor who manipulates her.
“I used to be your father determine / We drank that brown liquor / You made a take care of this satan, seems my d**ok’s larger,” she sings. “You desire a struggle, you discovered it / I received the place surrounded / You’ll be sleeping with the fishes earlier than you’re drownin’ / Whose portrait’s on the mantle? / Who coated up your scandals? / Mistake my kindness for weak point and discover your card cancelled / I used to be your father determine / You pulled the improper set off / This empire belongs to me.”
Some followers consider the lyric “empire” signifies Taylor’s profitable profession and that it “belongs” to the “father determine” who found her.