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Taylor Swift Says 'Succession' Inspired 'Father Figure' in Tonight Show Preview

She describes the song as a study of shifting mentor–protégé power, with the George Michael estate authorizing her use of his 1987 melody.

Overview

  • On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Swift said a scene from HBO’s Succession shaped the mood and perspective of 'Father Figure.'
  • She performed a verse and chorus on air, prompting audible crowd participation and a reaction to an explicit line noted by Fallon.
  • The track appears as the fourth song on The Life of a Showgirl, which is out now on streaming platforms.
  • The song interpolates George Michael’s 1987 'Father Figure,' and his estate publicly endorsed the clearance ahead of the album’s release.
  • Swift said the lyrics adopt a mentor’s voice while exploring loyalty, betrayal, and power shifts, adding that she also relates to the protégé viewpoint.