When we think about it, musicians are the poets and chroniclers of our times. They set as well as reflect trends and their work echoes the collective ideas and thoughts of an ever-evolving society. Taylor Swift has been known to assert a feminist ideology and to occasionally use her tremendous popularity and influence to take a political stand as well. She recently released a music video of her song The Man. There seems to be some guy in the video – a seemingly typical assertive, entitled man – only it’s not a man at all!
This is the swaggeringly confident professional, the manspreader, the ‘best’ dad, the successful guy with the boat, a sore loser, the hard partier. There is even an old man marrying a much younger woman.
Only ‘the man’ is actually Taylor Swift – the end of the video shows the transition.
It’s sly and funny and clever in the way that it underlines and gently mocks so-called ‘manly’ behaviours – the aggression, the confidence etc.
The video is a series of situations wherein men and women are judged differently; usually to the detriment of women.
It was immediately clear what the tennis court scene was about – the different reactions that greeted John McEnroe’s routine tantrums and the time Serena Williams had a ‘meltdown’.
…Because of this as well.
Swift has spoken before about how it was so important for her to be liked; how she drew validation from the approval of others.
Which man? Perhaps this obnoxious man from The Wolf of Wall Street being applauded by colleagues?
The video shows the ‘man' being applauded by mothers just for being a regular parent, being excused for being a badly behaved sexist.
People are loving the video, not just because it is clever and funny; but because it articulates much of what women feel and undergo every day in a man’s world.
Fans are watching/ listening to the song on loop.
…Is there anything she cannot do?
Taylor Swift is clearly more than just a talented musician. With the video of The Man and her other previous avatars, she is now a consummate entertainer – as well as a competent chronicler of our times.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
