Twitter Loves Taylor Swift’s New Anti-Sexism Anthem — Especially Because it Shades This Actor
There are many things that make Taylor Swift's latest album, Lover, well, lovable. But one of the major wins of Swift's latest work is her song "The Man," which takes on society's sexist double standards.
"The Man" is the perfect, poppy means of catharsis for any woman who's frustrated with gender inequality – especially in the professional world.
In the lyrics, Swift muses that if she were a man, she'd be "the man." She sings that she would be painted as a hustler, "a fearless leader" and "an alpha type," rather than domineering and calculated. She says if she were male, it would be "ok that I'm mad." And what's making her mad? She's "sick of running as fast as I can/ Wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was a man."
While women can't get enough of this portrait of the stereotypes they deal with on a day-to-day basis, they also love the bit of shade Swift is throwing in the song.
"The Man" also takes on the double standards Swift has faced dating in the spotlight. She directly compares her experience dating while famous with Leonardo DiCaprio's. DiCaprio has made (positive) headlines for dating a revolving door of women in their young 20s (he's 44), and taking them on luxurious, bikini-clad vacations. Meanwhile, Swift argues she was shamed for dating at all. She says if she were a man, "they'd say I played the field before I found someone to commit to" — and that she'd be "just like Leo in Saint-Tropez."
Of course, the fans admired her willingness to use such a concrete example.
"TAYLOR SWIFT IS NOT HERE FOR DOUBLE STANDARDS IN THE MEDIA," Katie Kruse, a producer at Entertainment Tonight, tweeted about the song. "WE STAN AN HONEST QUEEN WHO MAKES NOTHING BUT VALD POINTS."
"She really CAME for Leonardo DiCaprio. YES MA'AM the double standard jumped out!!!," another fan wrote on Twitter.
The best part of this comment from Swift? She's not saying DiCaprio can't live however he wants — she's just pointing out it's a privilege he gets to do so. Any woman who's seen a man refuse to take notes at a meeting because he's "too busy" can understand that sentiment.