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7 Shocking Secrets And Deep-Cut Easter Eggs In Taylor Swift’s 'The Man' Music Video You Missed

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Published on December 13, 2025, Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking 2020 music video for "The Man" remains one of the most talked-about and critically acclaimed works of her career. Far more than just a visual accompaniment to a song, this satirical short film served as Swift's powerful solo directorial debut, a scathing critique of the music industry's double standards, and a masterclass in embedding hidden messages for her dedicated fans, the Swifties.

The video, which sees Swift transform into her fictional male alter-ego, "Tyler Swift," is a bold, uncompromising exploration of the privileges afforded to men and the relentless scrutiny faced by women in the public eye. From subtle digs at her masters controversy to a historic VMA win, we break down the most crucial elements, the deepest secrets, and the enduring legacy of this monumental piece of pop culture.

The Man: A Complete Profile and Directorial Debut

The "The Man" music video is a pivotal moment in Taylor Swift's career, not just for its political commentary but for establishing her as a serious director. Here is a quick profile of the video's key facts and personnel:

  • Title: The Man (Official Video)
  • Artist: Taylor Swift
  • Album: Lover (2019)
  • Release Date: February 27, 2020
  • Director: Taylor Swift (Solo Directorial Debut)
  • Male Alter-Ego: "Tyler Swift"
  • Voice of "Tyler Swift": Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
  • Key Themes: Gender double standards, sexism, patriarchy, media scrutiny, and the masters controversy.
  • Awards: Won Best Direction at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA). Swift was the first solo female artist to win this award.
  • Production Company: Superprime

The decision to direct the video herself was a deliberate act of taking control of her narrative, a central theme of the Lover era. By literally embodying the man she sings about, Swift delivered a visual argument that was impossible to ignore, showcasing her vision not just as a songwriter but as a filmmaker.

Decoding the 7 Essential Easter Eggs and Hidden Meanings

Taylor Swift is famous for her intricate web of Easter eggs, and "The Man" music video is perhaps her most dense and direct collection of hidden messages. These clues are not just playful hints; they are pointed criticisms aimed at specific figures and industry practices.

1. The Masters Controversy: A Direct Attack on Scooter Braun and Big Machine

The most overt political statement in the video is a scene on the subway platform. As "Tyler Swift" manspreads, a wall behind him is covered in posters and graffiti. One poster is clearly labeled "MISSING: SCOOTER." Below it, another sign reads "STOLEN: DO NOT CONTACT." This is a direct, unmistakable reference to the highly public and contentious sale of her master recordings to Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings, a deal that Swift publicly condemned as stripping her of her life’s work. The message is clear: the masters were stolen.

Next to this is a sign that reads "NO SCOOTERS ALLOWED," further cementing the target of her critique. Additionally, the entrance to the subway station is marked "TAYLOR SWIFT" in small letters, with a sign next to it reading "Manager: Scott B." This is a nod to Scott Borchetta, the founder of Big Machine Records, who sold her masters. The video's final scene, where a female director tells "The Man" to "Try to be sexier," is a final, cutting remark on the control men have historically exerted over female artists.

2. The Age and Marriage Scrutiny

One of the most memorable scenes is the tennis court sequence, where "Tyler Swift" marries a much younger woman. This is a direct satire of the media narrative that constantly pressures successful women to marry and have children before a certain age, while a successful man's personal life is rarely scrutinized. The sign on the tennis court wall explicitly references this double standard, reading "The Man" (4th Husband) and "The Bride" (Aged 15). It highlights the accepted age gap in male celebrity relationships versus the intense judgment faced by women.

3. The 'This May' Leak and Future Music Hint

In a scene of peak male entitlement, "Tyler Swift" urinates carelessly on a wall. The graffiti on the wall initially reads "The Man," but as the urine leaks down, it morphs into the words "This May." This was a classic Swiftian Easter egg, hinting at a future event or release in May. While the specific release is now in the past, the inclusion demonstrates her meticulous planning and her tradition of using her videos to communicate directly with her fans about her upcoming projects.

4. The Minimal Effort, Maximum Praise Critique

Throughout the video, "The Man" is shown performing the bare minimum—a casual high-five after a one-night stand, a brief moment of parental interaction—and is instantly showered with praise, confetti, and applause. This visual is a powerful metaphor for the "bare minimum" standard often celebrated in men, while women are expected to be flawless, juggling career, family, and public image with no recognition for their extraordinary efforts. The contrast between his effortless success and the song's lyrics about her own hard-won success is the core of the video's commentary.

The Historic VMA Win and Directorial Legacy

The impact of "The Man" extends far beyond its viral commentary. At the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift won the award for Best Direction, a monumental achievement that broke new ground for female artists.

The win was significant because it made her the first solo female artist to ever win the award for directing her own video. This victory was the ultimate fulfillment of the video's central theme: a woman taking complete, uncompromised control of her own creation and being recognized for her directorial skill, not just her celebrity.

Her acceptance speech, delivered remotely, emphasized the importance of female representation behind the camera, a cause she has championed throughout her career. By winning Best Direction, she not only validated her new role as a director but also symbolically reclaimed the narrative power that the song itself critiques. This achievement cemented "The Man" as a landmark music video, not just for its message, but for its historical impact on the music industry's award landscape.

The Enduring Topical Authority of Gender Double Standards

The video’s success lies in its sharp, satirical portrayal of universal gender double standards. The scenes of "Tyler Swift" being celebrated for "manspreading" on the subway, throwing a tantrum at a tennis match, and being lauded for a simple high-five after a sexual encounter all serve as potent visual metaphors for male privilege.

The commentary is not limited to the music industry; it's a broad critique of how society views ambition, anger, and success in men versus women. An ambitious man is a "boss," while an ambitious woman is "difficult." A man's anger is seen as "passion," while a woman's is "hysteria." The video's enduring relevance, even years after its release, is a testament to the fact that these societal double standards—the core of the song's message—have yet to be fully dismantled.

The final shot of the video shows the female director (Taylor Swift herself, out of her "Tyler" makeup) giving the male actor a note, which reads, "Could you try to be sexier?" This final, self-aware moment is the ultimate punchline, reminding the audience that even after the entire satirical performance, the male gaze and the pressure on women to perform are still the ultimate arbiters of success and attention. "The Man" is a powerful, politically charged short film that continues to shape discussions around gender, power, and celebrity in the modern era.

taylor swift the man music video
taylor swift the man music video

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