"The Man", by Taylor Swift is a direct punch in the gut towards the music industry and the sexism she's dealt with. Being shamed for her love life, break up songs, and aggressive attitudes, her song is a direct clapback towards all the negativities. And she is fed up with it.

Her music video that has grossed 98.6 million views back on February 27th of 2020, is packed with cultural norms that take jabs at men's actions from their inflated egos. Swift poses as her alter-ego Tyler in the video, who is an actor that works as a businessman and is praised by all his female co-workers. He goes on to present examples of double standards, toxic masculinity, and the patriarchy all in our society. At the end of the video, it shows Swift cutting a scene in the movie as the director, with Tyler then asking what he can do better, she responds with "Just look sexy." The music video really highlights all the struggles a typical woman in today’s world faces, mixed with Swifts lighthearted humor with a serious undertone.

Starting off with some beginning lines of "They'd say I played the field before I found someone to commit to, and that would be okay for me to do," Swift highlights male dominance in positions of power. They aren't questioned of their role and belonging there, unlike if it were a woman there instead. Much less their rudeness, which is accepted when it is a guy.

Later in the pre-chorus Swift sings "When everyone believes ya, what's that like?" She references the #MeToo and #BelieveWomen movements. It signifies the lack of belief society has towards women when coming out with their personal stories and trauma that they have faced. It’s an important reference in the current state of our world. As well as the mass judgement and backlash that they experience from society. It’s a socially accepted norm to have some critique of women when speaking out, and Swift emphasizes this seemingly always in her song.

In the chorus she emphasizes "And I'm so sick of them coming at me again." Here Swift is talking about the lash back and criticism she faces from the media. Whether it’s about her relationship, her body, her songs, her private jet, someone is always coming at her for something. Where if she was a man, all these comments would be unheard of, and not questioned at all. It highlights the double-standards in our society which she and other women are entirely sick of. And she does a good job at humoring us in the song right after by saying "If I was a man, Then I'd be the man." Basically, just saying, if she was a guy no one would try to attack her the way the media does currently. Because they would worship her if her gender role was reversed.

Overall, Taylor Swift highlights the issues women of all ages face in our society. Being mistreated by the public, criticized, judged, and belittled, constant sexism, and patriarchy, she manages to nail it all. Swifts spirit is highlighted throughout and speaks of current issues our world faces. And for that, "The Man" is an important song.