Feminism became a principal concern of musicologists in the 1980s as part of the New Musicology. Prior to this, in the 1970s, musicologists were beginning to discover women composers and performers, and had begun to review concepts of canon, genius, genre and periodization from a feminist perspective. In other words, the question of how women musicians fit into traditional music history was now being asked. Through the 1980s and 1990s, this trend continued as musicologists like Susan McClary, Marcia Citron and Ruth Solie began to consider the cultural reasons for the marginalizing of women from the received body of work. Concepts such as music as gendered discourse; professionalism; reception of women's music; examination of the sites of music production; relative wealth and education of women; popular music studies in relation to women's identity; patriarchal ideas in music analysis; and notions of gender and difference are among the themes examined during this time.
While the music industry has long been open to having women in performance or entertainment roles, women are much less likely to have positions of authority, such as being the leader of an orchestra. In popular music, while there are many women singers recording songs, there are very few women behind the audio console acting as music producers, the individuals who direct and manage the recording process.
The Man
Taylor Swift Lyrics
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I would be cool
They'd say I played the field before
I found someone to commit to
And that would be okay
For me to do
Every conquest I had made
Would make me more of a boss to you
I'd be a fearless leader
I'd be an alpha type
When everyone believes ya
What's that like?
I'm so sick of running
As fast as I can
Wondering if I'd get there quicker
If I was a man
And I'm so sick of them
Coming at me again
'Cause if I was a man
Then I'd be the man
I'd be the man
I'd be the man
They'd say I hustled
Put in the work
They wouldn't shake their heads
And question how much of this I deserve
What I was wearing, if I was rude
Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves
And they would toast to me, oh, let the players play
I'd be just like Leo, in Saint-Tropez
I'm so sick of running
As fast as I can
Wondering if I'd get there quicker
If I was a man
And I'm so sick of them
Coming at me again
'Cause if I was a man
Then I'd be the man
I'd be the man
I'd be the man
What's it like to brag about raking in dollars
And getting bitches and models?
And it's all good if you're bad
And it's okay if you're mad
If I was out flashin' my dollas
I'd be a bitch, not a baller
They'd paint me out to be bad
So it's okay that I'm mad
I'm so sick of running
As fast as I can
Wondering if I'd get there quicker
If I was a man (you know that)
And I'm so sick of them
Coming at me again (coming at me again)
'Cause if I was a man (if I was man)
Then I'd be the man (then I'd be the man)
I'm so sick of running
As fast as I can (as fast as I can)
Wondering if I'd get there quicker
If I was a man (hey)
And I'm so sick of them
Coming at me again (coming at me again)
'Cause if I was a man (if I was man)
Then I'd be the man
I'd be the man
I'd be the man (oh)
I'd be the man (yeah)
I'd be the man (I'd be the man)
(If I was a man, I'd be the man)
In Taylor Swift's song The Man, she imagines what it would be like to live in a world where men and women were treated equally. She begins by explaining how society views women who date around as promiscuous, while men who do the same are considered cool. She longs for the day when she can achieve as much as a man without being judged for it. She says that if she were a man, her accomplishments would be celebrated, and she would be seen as a fearless leader rather than a bossy woman.
The chorus of the song is where she really delves into this desire to be a man. She is so sick of tirelessly working and striving for greatness, wondering if she would have achieved it quicker if she were a man. Every time she is attacked by those who doubt her abilities, she wishes she were a man so that her actions would speak for themselves and she wouldn't be constantly scrutinized for her appearance and perceived demeanor.
She finishes the song by questioning the double standards that exist in the world; men are allowed to brag about their wealth and sexual conquests, and it is seen as a typical part of their character. If a woman were to do the same, however, she would be judged entirely differently. The song ends with Taylor Swift saying that she wants to be seen as the man, a leader in this world, rather than just another woman struggling to make her way.
Line by Line Meaning
I would be complex
If I were a woman who had as many romantic conquests as a man, people would view me as complex and cool.
I would be cool
If I had multiple partners, people would see me as cool.
They'd say I played the field before
If I had multiple partners, people would assume that I had 'played the field' before committing to someone.
I found someone to commit to
If I found someone to commit to despite having multiple partners before, that would somehow be considered an accomplishment.
And that would be okay
The above actions would be socially acceptable for a man, but not a woman.
For me to do, every conquest I had made
Every conquest I made in regards to romance would make me seem like more of a boss to those around me.
Would make me more of a boss to you
The more romantic conquests I have, the more people would see me as successful, powerful and influential.
I'd be a fearless leader
If I was a man with the same drive and charisma, people would consider me a 'fearless leader'.
I'd be an alpha type
People would view me as an 'alpha type' with the drive, determination and leadership qualities to achieve more.
When everyone believes ya, what's that like?
I wonder how it feels to have everyone believe in your ability to achieve what you set out to do.
I'm so sick of running, as fast as I can
I am sick of constantly working and trying to be successful.
Wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was a man
I am wondering if I could achieve more if I had the opportunities afforded to men.
And I'm so sick of them coming at me again
I am tired of people critiquing and belittling me, constantly undermining my success.
Cause if I was a man then I'd be the man
If I had the same opportunities, respect and success as a man, I would be viewed as the most successful and powerful.
They'd say I hustled, put in the work
If I were a man, people would acknowledge and appreciate the hard work I put into my career.
They wouldn't shake their heads and question how much of this I deserve
People wouldn't question my success or deservingness if I were a man.
What I was wearing if I was rude
My clothing choices or rudeness wouldn't be connected to my success or career if I were a man.
Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves
The above mentioned things wouldn't be connected to my successful business acumen and drive if I were a man.
And they would toast to me oh, let the players play
If I were a man, everyone would celebrate my success and recognize me as a successful individual and leader.
I'd be just like Leo in Saint-Tropez
I would be as respected and admired as Leonardo DiCaprio in Saint-Tropez.
What's it like to brag about raking in dollars
I wonder what it is like to be a man and brag about my financial success.
And getting bitches and models?
What is it like to objectify women and celebrate sexual conquests and the misuse of power?
And it's all good if you're bad
If you're a man and have bad qualities, it is still celebrated and respected.
And it's okay if you're mad
If you're a man and angry, it is still considered acceptable or understandable.
If I was out flashing my dollars
If I were flashing my money, people would still criticize me.
I'd be a bitch, not a baller
I would be viewed as negative, difficult and unscrupulous.
They'd paint me out to be bad
People would always be critical of my actions or success even if they were the same as a man's actions.
So it's okay that I'm mad
It is understandable for me as a woman to be angry with this double standard.
Then I'd be the man
If I had the same opportunities, respect and success as a man, I would be viewed as the most successful and powerful.
I'd be the man
If I had the same opportunities, respect and success as a man, I would be viewed as the most successful and powerful.
I'd be the man (oh)
If I had the same opportunities, respect and success as a man, I would be viewed as the most successful and powerful.
I'd be the man (yeah)
If I had the same opportunities, respect and success as a man, I would be viewed as the most successful and powerful.
I'd be the man (I'd be the man)
If I had the same opportunities, respect and success as a man, I would be viewed as the most successful and powerful.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joel Little, Taylor Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noahs5636
As a guy, this song doesn’t feel like it’s attacking me in any way. Taylor’s simply calling out the double standards and inequality in our society. If you’re offended by this song and what she has to say then maybe you should take a long look in the mirror and think for a bit. She’s 100% right and she’s not attacking anyone. That’s what feminism is. Not the screeching about how men are terrible and women are better. That ain’t feminism. Real feminism is equality for everyone and it’s a shame that people have that misconception.
@SwiftieLuma
She is exposing the truth about double standards when it comes to women because it's real and it has happened to her during her entire career. I personally don't see this as a "feminist" song since she is just stating a reality in her own experience. Of course it can be argued that it is since to some feminism is about equality like you say but since nowdays the term is heavily deformed I would just say this is an empowerment song about women being treated as lesser people than men when they do the same thing , double standards basically
@kelseysteward2086
I love this comment. Thank you!
@chrisellnavarrete2845
Couldn’t have said it better!!! 👍🏻
@laraderiedmatten209
Thank you for saying this, especially as a man. Every person should be a feminist, it's like you said not just for women, it's for everyone! 🖤
@Jbnilles4926
If what ur saying is ‘real’ feminism then it’s not needed. The only inequality’s are just the sexiest people. The system isn’t inherently sexist. Honestly I think she’d be in the same place. ( btw I disagree with the message of the song but honestly it’s still one of the best song she’s ever made.)
@green_enigma
Now that Taylor is not with Big Machine Records she releases official audio in youtube of the tracks of her album 😭😭
@franks8462
honestly, that's all I'm thinking about right now. Makes you wonder HOW MUCH power they had over her music and the distribution. I'm happy this isn't the case anymore.
@beauteafulyou1616
AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
@RyanTaylor2000
You can find her older tracks on youtube aswell