Taylor Swift Honors George Michael With “Father Figure” Interpolation, Ex-Partner Says He’d Approve
Zoe Bennett reporting. The facts matter. Here’s what we know so far.
Taylor Swift’s upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl includes a track titled “Father Figure” that interpolates the melody of George Michael’s 1987 hit, and George’s long-term partner Kenny Goss tells TMZ the late star would have been proud. This confirmation clarifies the creative choice: it is an interpolation rather than a direct sample, meaning Swift’s team re-recorded and reworked elements of Michael’s original melody into her new composition rather than lifting the master recording.
Why this matters: interpolations require permission and typically involve negotiated songwriting credits and publishing royalties, so Swift’s use implies legal clearance and an acknowledgment of George Michael’s authorship. Sources connected to the release timeline confirm The Life of a Showgirl is due October 3, providing a concrete date for listeners to compare the two works.
Kenny Goss, who was with George Michael from 1988 through the late 1990s and remained a public figure in relation to Michael’s legacy after their split in 2009, told TMZ he had not known about Swift’s interpolation until it was announced but is supportive. He described the decision as a welcome tribute and said George never had the chance to meet Swift but likely would have appreciated her artistic recognition. Goss’s comments add a personal layer to the story, anchoring the news in the perspective of someone who shared much of Michael’s adult life.
Context and precedent: major artists frequently use interpolations to reference classic melodies while avoiding the higher costs or creative constraints of sampling the original master. High-profile interpolations often lead to shared songwriting credits; historically, such moves can revive interest in the original track’s catalog and create cross-generational streaming boosts. For instance, prior interpolations by modern pop artists have led to a measurable spike in the original recordings’ streaming activity in the weeks following a release, according to industry streaming analyses.
Legal and financial implications: because interpolation invovles re-creating a recognizable melodic phrase, Swift’s team would have negotiated with George Michael’s estate and his publishing rights holders. Those negotiations typically allocate a percentage of songwriting royalties and may include name credits. This implies George Michael’s estate will receive compensation and public acknowledgment, which Goss frames as a meaningful gesture that honors Michael’s creative legacy.
Artistic significance: Taylor Swift engaging with a George Michael composition signals both reverence and strategic curation. Swift has a history of referencing and reworking past music in ways that foreground her own songwriting while nodding to lineage. Tackling “Father Figure” positions Swift in conversation with a track known for its lush production and romantic intensity, and it may invite a reexamination of Michael’s influence in contemporary pop songwriting.
Emotional resonance: George Michael died on December 25, 2016, and remains an enduring figure in pop culture. Kenny Goss’s reaction—calling the interpolation “a welcome surprise” and saying it would make George proud—adds emotional weight to a business decision, turning a copyright clearance into a sentimental tribute. Fans of both artists are likely to dissect lyrical choices and arrangement decisions once the album drops on October 3.
What to watch next: compare Swift’s “Father Figure” to George Michael’s original to see how the melody is transformed, monitor publishing credits for listed songwriters, and watch streaming data and social reactions in the weeks after release. This interpolation could create renewed interest in Michael’s catalog, spur conversations about legacy and homage in pop music, and set a precedent for future cross-generational nods.
That wraps up today’s analysis.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Public statements from Kenny Goss
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
