by The Cowl Editor on March 5, 2020
Arts & Entertainment
by: Grace Whitman ’22 A&E Staff
Taylor Swift once again proved her artistic genius when she released the music video for her single, “The Man” on Feb. 27.
At first glance, it seemed like any other video, but little would viewers know the “man” in the video is actually Swift. The legendary superstar was unrecognizable as she dressed as an arrogant and ill-tempered businessman. Coinciding with her lyrics, the music video highlights the double standards and inequality between men and women in today’s world.
As the chorus of “The Man” goes, “I’m so sick of running / as fast as I can / wondering if I’d get there quicker / if I was a man.” The video emphasizes how a woman may have to work 10 times harder to get to the same finish line.
Additionally, a Taylor Swift music video is not complete without hidden references. One of the most impactful scenes took place at 13th Street Station. Graffiti on the wall spelled out the names of Swift’s previous albums, including Reputation, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Fearless. Additionally, two signs were hung up, one reading, “Missing: If found return to Taylor Swift,” while the other depicted an X through an icon of a scooter. The signs allude to Swift’s 2019 battle with Scooter Braun, who purchased Big Machine Label Group, that owned the masters of all six of Swift’s past musical projects.
The video also referred to the album battle at the conclusion when it said, “directed, written, owned, and starring Taylor Swift.” Other memorable scenes included a Wolf of Wall Street reference, the US Open, and a hallway with 19 hands alluding to the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Swift’s creative genius shined in this video, as she broadcasted a greater message about women’s equality and empowerment.