Two years before Taylor Swift was even born, one of the defining tracks of the 1980s was released. And today, nearly four decades later, it stands out as one of the highlights of her brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl. For those who lived through the George Michael phenomenon, you already know which song I’m talking about.

In 1987, the British superstar released Faith, his debut solo album. Among its hit singles, “Father Figure” stood apart for its unique aura: born out of a technical decision — removing the snare drum beat — the song transformed into a hypnotic, almost gospel-like ballad.

The lyrics, both ambiguous and provocative, explored intimacy, power, and desire in unsettling ways. More than about “paternity,” it was a fantasy of intimacy and protection in which the narrator promised care and devotion — a pop seduction that flirted with role-play and “forbidden desires,” without explicit labels, something critics at the time saw as politically subversive in 1987–88.

The black-and-white music video, directed by Andy Morahan, cemented George as a pop icon and won Best Direction at the 1988 VMAs, featuring now-iconic images of him as a taxi driver entangled with a fashion model (Tania Coleridge).

And now, in 2025, the song resurfaces with renewed strength — both in film and in music.

The Meaning of Father Figure

More than just a love song, “Father Figure” has always been read as a reflection on care, vulnerability, and social roles within relationships. George Michael sang about intimacy with a devotional sensuality that defied gender and sexual boundaries — a theme that, years later, would connect directly to his own public struggles and personal liberation.

The track never disappeared from pop culture. It was used in films like Keanu (2016), which playfully mocked George Michael fandom, and Atomic Blonde (2017), and even resurfaced on Glee. But the most explosive revival came with Babygirl (2024).

In the film’s most talked-about moment, Samuel (Harris Dickinson) dances shirtless to “Father Figure” for Romy (Nicole Kidman), his boss and lover. Director Halina Reijn explained that the choice reflected George Michael’s embodiment of freedom and vulnerability. She deliberately inverted gender roles, giving Romy the position of power while Samuel exposed himself in fragility.

“We all have a child inside us that needs to be cared for, whether we’re 6 or 80,” Reijn said. The effect was immediate: the scene went viral on TikTok, sparked countless recreations, and put “Father Figure” back at the center of cultural conversations.

Taylor Swift and the New Chapter

Now, in 2025, Taylor Swift takes the story further. Her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, out October 3, includes a track titled “Father Figure”, officially crediting George Michael as co-writer.

The song is not a sample but an interpolation of the original melody. George Michael’s estate celebrated the homage in an official statement: “We had no hesitation in agreeing to this association between two great artists, and we know George would have felt the same.” Kenny Goss, Michael’s longtime partner, went further, saying George would be proud of the tribute.

Taylor describes her new record as born from the vibrant energy of the Eras Tour: exuberant, dramatic, effervescent. Reimagining “Father Figure” in this context is both an homage and a statement of continuity — a pop classic from the 1980s redefined by the world’s biggest artist today.

A Legacy of Reinvention

From its award-winning 1988 video to its viral Babygirl scene in 2024, and now as a creative bridge between George Michael and Taylor Swift, “Father Figure” proves its power to transcend generations. It is a song about desire and care, about power and fragility, but above all about freedom — the same freedom George claimed in life and that artists like Swift continue to explore in their music.