:The Man (Taylor Swift song)

{{Blockquote|quote=We [women] have to curate and cater everything, but we have to make it look like an accident. Because if we make a mistake, that's our fault, but if we strategize so that we won't make a mistake, we're calculating. There is a bit of a damned-if-we-do, damned-if-we-don't thing happening in music.|author=Swift on what inspired "The Man"|source=Billboard}}

The recording process for Taylor Swift's seventh studio album Lover took under three months and concluded in February 2019.{{cite magazine |last=Suskind |first=Alex |title=New Reputation: Taylor Swift shares intel on TS7, fan theories, and her next era |url=https://ew.com/music/2019/05/09/taylor-swift-cover-story/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=May 9, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812135902/https://ew.com/music/2019/05/09/taylor-swift-cover-story/ |url-status=live }} Joel Little was revealed as one of the producers for the album with the release of the lead single "Me!" in April. He co-wrote and co-produced four of the eighteen tracks for the album.{{cite AV media notes|title=Lover|others=Taylor Swift|year=2019|type=CD liner notes|publisher=Republic Records, Taylor Swift Productions|id=B003061202}} The song title was revealed along with the lyrics "I'd be a fearless leader / I'd be an alpha type / When everyone believes ya— / What's that like?" in Swift's Vogue cover interview for the September 2019 issue.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-cover-september-2019|title=Taylor Swift on Sexism, Scrutiny, and Standing Up for Herself|first=Abby|last=Aguirre|magazine=Vogue|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=September 1, 2019|archive-date=August 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810081937/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-cover-september-2019?verso=true|url-status=live}}

"The Man" is a synth-pop{{cite web |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |title=Taylor Swift Emerges From the Darkness Unbroken on 'Lover' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/arts/music/taylor-swift-lover-review.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824211014/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/arts/music/taylor-swift-lover-review.html |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019|url-access=limited}}{{cite web |last1=Aguirre |first1=Abby |title=Taylor Swift's September Issue: The Singer on Sexism, Scrutiny, and Standing Up for Herself |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-cover-september-2019 |website=Vogue |access-date=July 12, 2020 |date=August 8, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810081937/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-cover-september-2019?verso=true |url-status=live }} and electropop{{Cite web |date=2020-03-16 |title=Taylor Swift – 'The Man' (Singles Going Steady) |url=https://www.popmatters.com/taylor-swift-the-man-2645500156.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=PopMatters}} song that features flashy harmonies and a murky synthesizer. Swift imagines society's treatment of her if she were a man, over an uptempo production. Swift challenges societal sexist double standards, with lyrics including a reference to American actor Leonardo DiCaprio.{{cite web |last=Pollard |first=Alexandra |title=Taylor Swift, Lover review: The sound of an artist excited to be earnest again |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-review-lover-album-tracklist-stream-lyrics-joe-alwyn-london-boy-a9075376.html |website=The Independent |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823061946/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/taylor-swift-review-lover-album-tracklist-stream-lyrics-joe-alwyn-london-boy-a9075376.html |url-status=live }} Swift uses the actor as an example to explain sexism, singing "And they would toast to me, oh, let the players play/I'd be just like Leo in Saint-Tropez".{{cite web |last=Eckardt |first=Stephanie |title=Taylor Swift Uses Leonardo DiCaprio As an Example to Explain Sexism in 'The Man' |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/taylor-swift-leonardo-dicaprio-the-man-lover |website=W |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823185341/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/taylor-swift-leonardo-dicaprio-the-man-lover |url-status=live }} In outtakes from an interview with Billboard in December 2019, Swift said she wrote the song not only from personal experience, but also from hearing the general experiences of women working across all parts of the music industry.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8546109/taylor-swift-cover-story-outtakes-the-man|title=Taylor Swift Discusses 'The Man' & 'It's Nice To Have a Friend' In Cover Story Outtakes|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 14, 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214112402/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8546109/taylor-swift-cover-story-outtakes-the-man|url-status=live}}

According to Billboard{{'s}} Gil Kaufman, "The Man" is a pointed statement about "how much harder women need to work than men to get to the same finish line".{{cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Drake, Idris Elba, Leo DiCaprio & More: All Of the Celeb Moments On Taylor Swift's 'Lover' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528181/celebrity-moments-taylor-swift-new-album-lover |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 2, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902043055/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528181/celebrity-moments-taylor-swift-new-album-lover |url-status=live }} Jason Lipshutz of the same magazine described the song as a "biting look at gender dynamics within both the pop industry and celebrity-driven culture", noting that it is sonically composed of a rumbling beat and crackling synths and lyrically provides wry humor and an honest perspective.{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |title=Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's 'Lover': Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528254/taylor-swift-lover-tracks-ranked |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 2, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829173137/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528254/taylor-swift-lover-tracks-ranked |url-status=live }} An animated lyric video for "The Man" was released on February 7, 2020.{{cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |title=Taylor Swift's 'The Man' Lyric Video Is on the Way |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8550376/taylor-swift-the-man-lyric-video-announcement |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 6, 2020 |date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208033726/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8550376/taylor-swift-the-man-lyric-video-announcement |url-status=live }}

"The Man" received acclaim from music critics. The Atlantic{{'}}s Spencer Kornhaber described "The Man" as "one of the most straightforwardly catchy songs" on Lover, and further called it Swift's "most explicit musical statement on sexism".{{cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |title=Why Taylor Swift Wants to Be 'The Man' |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/08/taylor-swifts-man-follows-beyonce-and-other-divas/597061/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=August 29, 2019 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901162504/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/08/taylor-swifts-man-follows-beyonce-and-other-divas/597061/ |url-status=live|url-access=limited}} He opined that the Leonardo DiCaprio reference is the "most memorable" line of the song. Brittany Hodak of Forbes praised the song as "the most important song she's [Swift has] ever written". She also stated that the song is "a brilliant portrayal of the subtle and not-so-subtle sexism women face every day". Time{{'}}s Raisa Bruner labeled the song as "a bombastic, empowering bop" that is "an anthem for anyone who's felt blocked by sexist double standards".{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5651207/taylor-swift-lover-songs-explained/|title=Let's Discuss the Lyrics to Every Song on Taylor Swift's Lover|last=Bruner|first=Raisa|magazine=Time|date=August 24, 2019|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=June 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609233017/https://time.com/5651207/taylor-swift-lover-songs-explained/|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Comparing the song to Swift's 2017 album, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone described "The Man" as "a righteous feminist bombshell Reputation could have used".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-lover-album-rob-sheffield-875724/|title=Why 'Lover' Is the Ultimate Taylor Swift Album|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 23, 2019|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824114452/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/taylor-swift-lover-album-rob-sheffield-875724/|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Slate{{'}}s Carl Wilson opined that the song "widens the lens and makes a more convincing case for her [Swift's] grievances than on any beefing track she's ever written". He further described the song as a "synth-strut mode very reminiscent of Haim" that "takes aim at sexist music industry and media double standards and just keeps firing bull's-eyes".{{cite magazine|url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/08/taylor-swift-lover-album-review.html|title=Taylor Swift's Lover Is a More Mature (Mostly) Successor to Red|last=Wilson|first=Carl|website=Slate|date=August 23, 2019|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=November 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121100740/https://slate.com/culture/2019/08/taylor-swift-lover-album-review.html|url-status=live}}

Writing for Elite Daily, Sade Spence and Kristen Perrone stated that the lyrics of the song are "super bold and carry a powerful message about women". They further stated that the song is an addition to the "legendary canon of crafty takes on sexism" in music.{{cite web |last1=Spence |first1=Sade |last2=Perrone |first2=Kristen |title=Taylor Swift's "The Man" Lyrics Are Pure, Perfect Girl Power |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/taylor-swifts-the-man-lyrics-are-pure-perfect-girl-power-18659163 |website=Elite Daily |access-date=November 21, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914061515/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/taylor-swifts-the-man-lyrics-are-pure-perfect-girl-power-18659163 |url-status=live }} Allie Gemmill of Teen Vogue stated that the song "gives women permission to keep challenging sexist double standards, and fans are here for it", adding that the "fierce" song includes "many incredibly good lyrics".{{cite web |last=Gemmill |first=Allie |title=Taylor Swift's New Song 'The Man' Calls Out Leonardo DiCaprio in Saint Tropez and Sexist Double Standards |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taylor-swift-the-man-leonardo-dicaprio-saint-tropez-sexist-double-standards |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901162505/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/taylor-swift-the-man-leonardo-dicaprio-saint-tropez-sexist-double-standards |url-status=live }} Writing for Billboard, Jason Lipshutz called it "a complete jam" and ranked it as the 12th best track on the album, and further expanded that it "will draw attention for its searing subject matter, but it's also one of Lover{{'}}s most complete productions". The same magazine's Gab Ginsberg opined that "The Man" is "catchy-as-all-heck".{{cite magazine |last=Ginsberg |first=Gab |title=What Should Taylor Swift's Next 'Lover' Single Be? Vote! |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528730/taylor-swift-lover-singles-poll-vote |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 2, 2019 |date=August 29, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831215930/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528730/taylor-swift-lover-singles-poll-vote |url-status=live }} Writing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica described the song as "excellent and pointed". Jordan Sargent of Spin negatively compared the song to "You Need to Calm Down", stating that the lyric "If I was a man, then I'd be the man" doesn't really offer much insight.{{cite web |last=Sargent |first=Jordan |title=Taylor Swift's Lover Shines in Its Quietest Moments |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/08/taylor-swift-lover-review/ |website=Spin |access-date=September 2, 2019 |date=August 26, 2019 |archive-date=August 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827090152/https://www.spin.com/2019/08/taylor-swift-lover-review/ |url-status=live }}

On August 16, 2019, Swift announced the track listing of her seventh studio album, Lover, where "The Man" was unveiled.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527633/taylor-swift-lover-track-list|title=Taylor Swift Unveils 'Lover' Track List|first=Rania|last=Aniftos|magazine=Billboard|date=August 16, 2019|access-date=February 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817020143/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527633/taylor-swift-lover-track-list|archive-date=August 17, 2019}} One week later, the project was released, with "The Man" serving as the fourth track. Next year, the song was serviced to the US adult contemporary and pop radio formats on January 27 and 28, 2020, as the fourth single from Lover.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|title=Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases|website=All Access|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127170201/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|archive-date=January 27, 2020|access-date=January 27, 2020}} The following month, the track was issued by Universal Music Group to Italian radio airplay on February 14, whilst the live version was made available to digital download and streaming worldwide four days later.

In the United States, following the release of its parent album Lover, "The Man" debuted at number four on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 32 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart, all dated September 7, 2019.{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |title=All 18 Songs From Taylor Swift's New Album 'Lover' Chart On the Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8528903/every-song-taylor-swift-lover-charts-hot-100 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=September 3, 2019 |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903162318/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8528903/every-song-taylor-swift-lover-charts-hot-100 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift|title=Taylor Swift|date=September 7, 2019|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207015641/https://www.billboard.com/music/taylor-swift|archive-date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2020}} The song peaked at number 20 and 10 on Billboard Pop Songs and Billboard Adult Pop Songs charts. In Europe, "The Man" charted at number 16 in Ireland, 62 in the Netherlands, 24 in Norway, 82 in Scotland, 63 in Sweden and 80 in Switzerland. It reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also commercially successful in Oceania, peaking at number 17 in Australia and 15 in New Zealand.

File:Dwayne Johnson Hercules 2014 (cropped).jpg voices Swift's male alter-ego in the music video.]]

On February 25, 2020, Swift announced via her social media accounts that the music video would be released in two days.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8551884/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-announcement|title=Taylor Swift's 'The Man' Music Video Is Coming Really, Really Soon|magazine=Billboard|language=en|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=February 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226213020/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8551884/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-announcement|url-status=live}} The video was directed by Swift, making it her official solo directorial debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/every-incredible-easter-egg-in-taylor-swifts-the-man-video-2615495|title=Every incredible Easter Egg in Taylor Swift's 'The Man' video|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|website=NME|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228112053/https://www.nme.com/blogs/every-incredible-easter-egg-in-taylor-swifts-the-man-video-2615495|url-status=live}} Swift answered fan questions in the hour before the music video's premiere on YouTube on February 27, 2020. She stated that the entire preparation for the music video—including planning meetings, creating mood boards, scouting locations, and costume and set design—took several months. She also confirmed that there would be many of her trademark "easter eggs" in the video.

{{Blockquote|quote=With "The Man" music video, I wanted to show a heightened reaction of how the world reacts to someone who's male, hot, rich, young and cocky. I wanted to show how there's immediate approval and benefit of the doubt given, in a ridiculous way.|author=Swift|title=The Man (Behind the Scenes: Directing)|source=YouTube{{Cite web|title=Taylor Swift - The Man (Behind The Scenes: Directing)|date=March 10, 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxtUnuldKgc|via=YouTube|language=en|access-date=March 10, 2020|archive-date=March 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310135648/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxtUnuldKgc|url-status=live}}}}

The video features cameos from TikTok stars Loren Gray (the second most followed on the platform at the time) and Dominic Toliver, actress Jayden Bartels, and Swift's father Scott Swift; actor Dwayne Johnson appears in a brief voice role.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/9324175/taylor-swift-video-the-man-easter-eggs-cameos|title=All of the Easter Eggs in Taylor Swift's Video For 'The Man'|last=Rowley|first=Glenn|magazine=Billboard|date=February 27, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227235514/https://www.billboard.com/photos/9324175/taylor-swift-video-the-man-easter-eggs-cameos|url-status=live}} The video's production team includes producer Jil Hardin, executive producer Rebecca Skinner, assistant director Joe Osborne, cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, production designer Ethan Tobman, and makeup artist Bill Corso.{{cite web|title=Taylor Swift - The Man (Official Video)|date=February 27, 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqAJLh9wuZ0|via=YouTube|access-date=March 26, 2021|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406130013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqAJLh9wuZ0|url-status=live}} Swift's transformation involved a "muscle suit", prosthetic makeup, eyebrow wigs, and facial sculptures, which took between four and six hours to apply each day.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-makeup-959829/|title=Taylor Swift's Makeup Artist Reveals Transformation Behind 'The Man'|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2021|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228211257/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-makeup-959829/|url-status=live|quote=Since 'The Man' video came out, Swift herself, as well as the video's makeup artist, Bill Corso...|url-access=limited}} She also worked with movement coaches Stephen Galloway and Spenser Theberge, as well as editor Chancler Haynes. Visual effects were handled by Ingenuity Studios.

The satirical music video explores Swift's life as her theoretical male counterpart, an alter-ego named "Tyler Swift". The video presents numerous prevalent examples of double standards in society, and comments on the objectification and sexualization of women, toxic masculinity, patriarchy, as well as performative allyship. Throughout the video, the male version of Swift is seen rudely inconveniencing the people around him, leading a luxurious and promiscuous lifestyle, manspreading, receiving praise for the bare minimum, and throwing tantrums without consequences. It contains visual references to The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), a film involving the lyrically name-checked actor DiCaprio and cinematographer Prieto, and journalists felt the tennis scene referenced tennis player Serena Williams' match controversy with a chair umpire at the 2018 US Open Championships.

File:Tyler Swift manspreading.jpeg on a metro train|250x250px]]

The video has several easter eggs alluding to Swift's other work, including Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation graffiti on a wall. Fearless is written backwards, while the title of her eponymous debut album appears in a sign saying "Missing: If Found Return to Taylor Swift". The "missing" sign, along with another wordless sign that appears to ban riding scooters, references her 2019 dispute with Scooter Braun and Big Machine Records over the ownership of the master recordings of her first six studio albums. Lover, the first album that Swift completely owns herself, is absent, but the word "karma" is written twice on the wall, a possible reference to Swift's plan to re-record her previous works thus lowering the value of the originals. The camera subsequently pans over a "Mr. Americana" poster for a film starring Tyler Swift, directed by Larry Wilson, and premiering at the 2020 Mandance Festival, a word play on Swift's Netflix documentary Miss Americana directed by Lana Wilson, which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Swift's alter-ego runs down a hallway giving high-fives to nineteen disembodied hands, alluding to double standards behind the walk of shame that women are often forced to take after a sexual encounter. The hands are said to be a reference to the 19th amendment of the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote in the country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/eleanorbate/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-hidden-details|title=Taylor Swift Just Unveiled Her Self-Directed Music Video For "The Man" And It's Full Of Hidden Details|last=Bate|first=Ellie|website=BuzzFeed|date=February 27, 2020 |language=en|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228152349/https://www.buzzfeed.com/eleanorbate/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-hidden-details|url-status=live}}

In the final scene, Swift herself appears as the video's director to instruct her male alter-ego to be both "sexier" and "more likeable" in the next take—a dig at the entertainment industry's objectification of and sexist treatment toward women. Ending on messages of female empowerment, Swift then turns to praise Loren Gray for her acting performance as a tennis ball girl, despite her role consisting of nothing more than an eye roll. The end credits list Swift as the director, writer, owner, and star of the music video, Johnson as the voice of "The Man", and shows photos of Swift's transformation process into the male lead of the video. It ends with a disclaimer stating "No men were harmed in the making of this video".{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-dwayne-johnson-watch.html|title=Taylor Swift Is an Independent Woman Who Didn't Need a Man for 'The Man' Video|last=Haylock|first=Zoe|date=February 27, 2020|website=Vulture|language=en-us|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227135754/https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-dwayne-johnson-watch.html|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}

Bryan Rolli of Forbes highlighted that the video is characterized by an "exaggerated and cartoonish" attitude "in a self-aware way", typical of Swift's "most memorable videos". He further expanded that "obviously, not every man acts like her [Swift's] character; that's not the point. The point is to make a caricature of the buffoonish men who feel the need to criticize successful women like Swift for merely existing and dissect every public decision they make, whereas their male counterparts would receive praise for the same actions".{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2020/02/28/taylor-swifts-the-man-is-the-single-and-video-lover-deserved/|title=Taylor Swift's 'The Man' Is The Single (And Video) 'Lover' Deserved|last=Rolli|first=Bryan|website=Forbes|language=en|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228222451/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2020/02/28/taylor-swifts-the-man-is-the-single-and-video-lover-deserved/|url-status=live}} Avery Blank, also writing for Forbes, opined that the video is a "reminder that women continue to face challenges when it comes to owning their ideas and maintaining control over their own careers" and that the society "expects women to be team players and not worry about getting credit for their work". She further added that the video makes it clear to viewers that Swift "will not let people mess with her".{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/averyblank/2020/03/02/taylor-swift-shows-how-women-can-take-ownership-of-their-work/|title=Taylor Swift Shows How Women Can Take Ownership Of Their Work|last=Blank|first=Avery|website=Forbes|language=en|date=March 2, 2020|access-date=March 2, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302145811/https://www.forbes.com/sites/averyblank/2020/03/02/taylor-swift-shows-how-women-can-take-ownership-of-their-work/|url-status=live}} Glamour's Chloe Laws wrote that the "empowering" video "calls out sexism and the industry's double standards", which is "a small part of the bigger journey she's [Swift is] embarked on lately", by "refusing to let someone else control her narrative".{{Cite web|url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-the-man-video|title=Taylor Swift's 'The Man' calls out sexism and the industry's double standards and it's the empowering video we need RN|last=Laws|first=Chloe|website=Glamour UK|date=February 27, 2020|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429233428/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-the-man-video|url-status=live}} Vox{{'s}} Constance Grady opined that Swift is "one of our great pop storytellers", proved by the video that becomes "the climax of her quest to own her voice".{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/2/27/21155844/taylor-swift-the-man-video|title=Taylor Swift's "The Man" video is the climax of her quest to own her voice|last=Grady|first=Constance|date=February 27, 2020|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227163649/https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/2/27/21155844/taylor-swift-the-man-video|url-status=live}}

Billboard{{'}}s Rania Aniftos commended that Swift undergoes an "intense make-over" in the "visually stunning clip", to become a "bearded, belligerent corporate titan whose rocket fuel is non-stop high-fives, fist-pounds, empty praise and rounds of shots with his amped-up bros".{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9323927/taylor-swift-the-man-video|title=Watch Taylor Swift Manspread and Mark a Wall Standing Up in Mind-Blowing 'The Man' Video|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=February 27, 2020|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228010919/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9323927/taylor-swift-the-man-video}} Vulture's Zoey Haylock commented that Swift as a man resembles Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal and Joe Alwyn combined, appreciating the makeup and prosthetics as "award worthy". Vogue's Hayley Maitland and Noami Pike described Swift's male alter ego as "the human embodiment of toxic masculinity".{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/taylor-swift-the-man-video|title=Taylor Swift Transforms Into The Ultimate Alpha Male In Her New Music Video – Prosthetics And All|last=Pike|first=Naomi|website=British Vogue|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327131212/https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/taylor-swift-the-man-video|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone's Claire Shaffer stated that Swift "dons full drag to portray the worst of masculinity".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-958800/|title=Taylor Swift Transforms Into 'The Man' in New Music Video|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=February 27, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227204646/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-the-man-music-video-958800/|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} iHeartRadio{{'s}} Paris Close commended that the video "does well to demonstrate how the hubris of male privilege plays out in the real world".{{Cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2020-02-27-taylor-swift-introduces-male-alter-ego-tyler-swift-in-the-man-music-video/|title=Taylor Swift Introduces Male Alter Ego Tyler Swift In 'The Man' Music Video|last=Close|first=Paris|date=February 28, 2020|website=iHeart|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327131216/https://www.iheart.com/content/2020-02-27-taylor-swift-introduces-male-alter-ego-tyler-swift-in-the-man-music-video/|url-status=live}} CNN's Lisa France opined that Swift is "unrecognizable" in the video, that "brings to life Swift's lyrics about how differently the world views men and women".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/27/entertainment/taylor-swift-the-man-trnd/index.html|title=Taylor Swift is literally 'The Man' in new music video|first=Lisa Respers|last=France|website=CNN|date=February 27, 2020|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229012414/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/27/entertainment/taylor-swift-the-man-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}} Writing for The Washington Post, Katie Shepherd and Allyson Chiu pointed out that the video is Swift's "gender-bending takedown of the patriarchy", that "skewer toxic masculinity and double standards, while airing personal grievances with an industry that has often subjected her to intense scrutiny". They added that Swift takes aim at "the cultural norms that allow, and at times even encourage, men to develop overinflated egos".{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/02/28/the-man-taylor-swift/|title=What Taylor Swift wants you to see in 'The Man,' her gender-bending takedown of the patriarchy|last1=Shepherd|first1=Katie|last2=Chiu|first2=Allyson|date=February 28, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228225529/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/02/28/the-man-taylor-swift/|url-access=limited}} Fast Company{{'}}s Starr Rocque stated that Swift "examines the ridiculousness of gender roles and weaves that into a satirical spin on her own personal experiences and observations", adding that Swift "catches a lot of flack, but she's a fighter and always true to her brand of female empowerment". Swift's masculine appearance as "Tyler Swift" has been compared with that of Christian Bale, Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Joe Alwyn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90469099/taylor-swifts-video-for-the-man-showcases-her-creativity-and-features-several-shady-easter-eggs|title=Taylor Swift's video for 'The Man' showcases her creativity—and features several shady Easter eggs|last=Rocque|first=Starr Rhett|date=February 27, 2020|website=Fast Company|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=March 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326220751/https://www.fastcompany.com/90469099/taylor-swifts-video-for-the-man-showcases-her-creativity-and-features-several-shady-easter-eggs|url-status=live}}

File:Impossible staircase.svg are incorporated into the lyric video to portray the never-ending difficulties faced by women in the corporate world.|alt=A staircase in a square format. The stairs make four 90-degree turns in each corner, so they are in the format of a continuous loop.]]

An animated lyric video for the song was released on February 7, 2020, exploring visual themes of women empowerment, feminism, and workplace sexism.

The video depicts a power suit-wearing woman, the only female figure in a maze-like city full of taller and larger corporate male drones, as she tries to navigate through staircases that lead to nowhere. She is forced to run past the sauntering men to avoid getting trampled. When the woman finally reaches the top of a building, symbolizing her climb up the corporate ladder, the male drones push her off and leave her to freefall to death; thankfully, she is caught by another, benevolent, giant woman and shown to a place where all the women walk together in solidarity towards the city. The ending of the video implies that the true key to success for women is to lift each other up.{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/taylor-swift-confronts-sexism-animated-182931790.html|title=Taylor Swift Confronts Sexism in Animated 'The Man' Lyric Video|website=Yahoo! News|language=en-US|access-date=February 8, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227232521/https://news.yahoo.com/taylor-swift-confronts-sexism-animated-182931790.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-the-man-lyric-video-949495/|title=Taylor Swift Confronts Sexism in Animated 'The Man' Lyric Video|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=February 7, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 9, 2020|archive-date=February 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208142654/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-the-man-lyric-video-949495/|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}{{cite news|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/taylor-swifts-the-man-lyric-video-takes-on-workplace-sexism-21787166|title=Taylor Swift's "The Man" Lyric Video Takes On Workplace Sexism|last=Garrison|first=Cianna|date=February 8, 2020|magazine=Elite Daily|access-date=February 9, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209140738/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/taylor-swifts-the-man-lyric-video-takes-on-workplace-sexism-21787166|url-status=live}}

Some of the visuals featured in the video bear resemblance to those from the 2010 movie Inception, which stars the actor name-checked in the song, Leonardo DiCaprio.{{cite news|url=https://popcrush.com/taylor-swift-the-man-lyric-video/|title=Taylor Swift's 'The Man' Lyric Video Features a Subtle Nod to Leonardo DiCaprio|last=Reda|first=Natasha|date=February 7, 2020|magazine=PopCrush|access-date=February 9, 2020|archive-date=February 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208183705/https://popcrush.com/taylor-swift-the-man-lyric-video/|url-status=live}}

At the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, Swift scored a win at Best Direction for "The Man" music video, and became the first solo female artist in VMA history to win that category.{{Cite web|last=Tracy|first=Brianne|date=August 31, 2020|title=Taylor Swift Becomes First Solo Female Artist to Win the MTV 2020 VMAs Best Director Award|url=https://people.com/music/mtv-vmas-2020-taylor-swift-wins-vmas-best-director/|access-date=August 31, 2020|website=People|language=EN|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831072842/https://people.com/music/mtv-vmas-2020-taylor-swift-wins-vmas-best-director/|url-status=live}}

Swift performed "The Man" for the first time at the "City of Lover" one-off concert at L'Olympia in Paris, France, on September 9, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/taylor-swift-city-of-lover-concert-review|title=Taylor Swift's The City of Lover concert: a triumphant yet intimate celebration of her fans and career|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|website=NME|date=September 10, 2019|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-date=September 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916000640/https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/taylor-swift-city-of-lover-concert-review|url-status=live}} On February 17, 2020, the singer announced on her social media platforms the release of that live version under the title "The Man (Live from Paris)". The song was released the next day along with the live video of its performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8551175/taylor-swift-teases-the-man-live-from-paris-song-video-release-date|title=Taylor Swift Teases 'The Man -- Live from Paris' Song & Video Release Date|first=Mitchell|last=Peters|date=February 17, 2020|access-date=February 18, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218025810/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8551175/taylor-swift-teases-the-man-live-from-paris-song-video-release-date|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/131052428|title=The Man (Live from Paris) / Taylor Swift|website=Tidal|date=February 18, 2020 |language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218064842/https://listen.tidal.com/album/131052428|archive-date=February 18, 2020|access-date=February 18, 2020}} It was later included on C side of limited live album Lover (Live from Paris) released on 2023 Valentine's Day.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-heart-shaped-vinyl-lover-live-from-paris-1235253676/|title=Taylor Swift Drops Heart-Shaped 'Lover (Live From Paris)' Vinyl Just in Time for Valentine's Day|magazine=Billboard|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|date=February 14, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023}}

Billboard commented that the "glorious" live video is a "work of beauty", that sees Swift playing acoustic guitar, with her looking "relaxed and confident as the audience sings back every word of the song".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8551191/taylor-swift-the-man-live-from-paris-video-song|title=Taylor Swift Releases 'The Man -- Live from Paris' Song and Video... and it's Glorious: Stream It Now|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218230035/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8551191/taylor-swift-the-man-live-from-paris-video-song|url-status=live}} E! News stated that the video "will empower you to conquer all", where "the superstar once again proved her unbelievable talent". They added that Swift "lit up" the stage, with just a single spotlight, "as she plays the acoustic guitar, the audience cheers along to the feminist anthem".{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1123803/taylor-swift-s-the-man-live-from-paris-music-video-will-empower-you-to-conquer-all|title=Taylor Swift's New "The Man" Music Video Will Leave You Empowered|date=February 18, 2020|website=E! Online|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218135856/https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1123803/taylor-swift-s-the-man-live-from-paris-music-video-will-empower-you-to-conquer-all|archive-date=February 18, 2020|access-date=February 18, 2020}} Calling the video "intimate yet grand", Uproxx opined that the song "retains its earworm qualities in the acoustic rendition", despite the original version being "a catchy, synth-led tune".{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-the-man-live-paris-acoustic-video/|title=Taylor Swift's Acoustic Live Performance Video Of 'The Man' Is Intimate Yet Grand|last=Rossignol|first=Derrick|date=February 18, 2020|website=Uproxx|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218143823/https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-the-man-live-paris-acoustic-video/|archive-date=February 18, 2020|access-date=February 18, 2020}}

An acoustic version of "The Man" was performed at a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music on October 11, 2019.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8532799/taylor-swift-tiny-desk-concert-coming-soon|title=Are You '…Ready For It?' Taylor Swift's Tiny Desk Concert Is About to Drop|last=Mamo|first=Heran|magazine=Billboard|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019|archive-date=October 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012102227/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8532799/taylor-swift-tiny-desk-concert-coming-soon|url-status=live}} During the 47th Annual American Music Awards, held on November 24, 2019, in Los Angeles, Swift performed a medley of her hits which began with an excerpt of "The Man", when she was joined by a group of young girls.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8544635/2019-amas-taylor-swift-performs-medley|title=Taylor Swift Performs Major Medley Of Hits, Brings Out Surprise Guests For 'Shake It Off' at 2019 AMAs|magazine=Billboard|first=Bianca|last=Gracie|date=November 24, 2019|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=November 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126041342/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8544635/2019-amas-taylor-swift-performs-medley|url-status=live}} She wore white shirt with the titles of her first six studio albums written on it, which she unbuttoned and progressed to "Love Story".{{cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a29847076/taylor-swift-ama-performance-video/|title=Taylor Swift Makes A Clear Statement About Album Ownership During Medley AMAs Performance|work=Elle|first=Alyssa|last=Bailey|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=November 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126084044/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a29847076/taylor-swift-ama-performance-video/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/american-music-awards-best-worst-moments-taylor-swift-1203415258/|title=American Music Awards 2019: What Sizzled and What Fizzled|date=November 24, 2019|website=Variety|last=Willman|first=Chris|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=September 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914132601/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/american-music-awards-best-worst-moments-taylor-swift-1203415258/|url-status=live}} The song was included on the set list of her sixth headlining concert tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024), with the singer wearing an oversized Versace business sequin jacket.{{Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift rewards fans with 44 songs at Eras Tour opener: Inside her triumphant return |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-kicks-off-eras-tour-arizona-44-song-set/11490795002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318175202/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-kicks-off-eras-tour-arizona-44-song-set/11490795002/ |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite magazine |last=Aramesh |first=Waiss David |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour Is a 3-Hour Career-Spanning Victory Lap |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-glendale-review-1234699496/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318164625/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-glendale-review-1234699496/ |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2023}} Architectural Digest{{'}}s Katherine McLaughlin wrote that the stage "uses scaffolding and office props to emulate a corporate environment", with Emily Yahr of The Washington Post noticing the resemblance to the office seen in the music video.{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Katherine |title=The Eras Tour: The Intricate World-Building Behind Taylor Swift's Most Ambitious Sets Ever |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-eras-tour-set-design |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Architectural Digest |date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324204931/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-eras-tour-set-design |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=2023-03-18 |title=Analysis {{!}} Taylor Swift's Eras Tour opener: A complete recap of all 44 songs |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-costumes-recap/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318162008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/03/18/taylor-swift-eras-tour-setlist-costumes-recap/ |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}

In honor of International Women's Day in 2020, "The Man" was added to playlists on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal. Public figures such as Malala Yousafzai and Kristin Chenoweth added the song to their International Women's Day playlists.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/starbucks-international-womens-day-celebrations-include-a-spotify-playlist-from-malala-yousafzai-16822387|title=Starbucks' International Women's Day Celebrations Include A Spotify Playlist From Malala Yousafzai|last=Lord|first=Emma|website=Bustle|language=en|date=March 9, 2019|access-date=March 16, 2020|archive-date=March 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323120852/https://www.bustle.com/p/starbucks-international-womens-day-celebrations-include-a-spotify-playlist-from-malala-yousafzai-16822387|url-status=live}} Furthermore, Swift included the song in her Apple Music "Playlist by ME!", which was updated to spotlight songs from female artists such as Beabadoobee, Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, Caroline Polachek, Celeste, Charli XCX, Daya, Grimes, Haim, Halsey, Léon, H.E.R., Kesha, King Princess, Marina Diamandis, MUNA, Oh Wonder, Brittany Howard, Margaret Glaspy, Princess Nokia, Selena Gomez, Låpsley, Yebba, and more.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9330741/taylor-swift-international-womens-day-playlist|title=Taylor Swift's International Women's Day Playlist: Listen|last=Rowley|first=Glenn|date=March 9, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 16, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309183439/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9330741/taylor-swift-international-womens-day-playlist|url-status=live}}

In March 2020, British politician Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities of the United Kingdom, quoted the song's lyrics during a special International Women's Day debate in the British parliament, while talking about the need for gender equality across the workforce and greater protection for women against domestic violence. Truss stated: "And so that, in the words of the brilliant Taylor Swift in her new song, 'women are left running as fast as they can, wondering if they'd get there quicker if they were a man'."{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/british-politician-quotes-taylor-swift-on-international-womens-day-2020-3|title=A British politician quoted Taylor Swift's 'The Man' during an International Women's Day debate in Parliament|last=Peppin|first=Hayley|website=Insider|language=en|date=March 9, 2020|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327131217/https://www.insider.com/british-politician-quotes-taylor-swift-on-international-womens-day-2020-3|url-status=live}}

American journalist Jody Rosen, writing for The New York Times, listed "The Man" as one of the "25 songs that matter now". Describing Swift as "pop's best humblebraggart", Rosen termed "The Man" as a "sly protest song", explaining that Swift "has been pop's top bellyacher, turning a now-familiar set of grievances into great songs". He added that Swift "channels that indignation into a broader protest against the sexism and skepticism that all women face". Rosen also opined that the song's "most hard-hitting line is a plaintive rhetorical question that calls to mind a #MeToo movement slogan: #BelieveWomen".{{Cite news|last=Rosen|first=Jody|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/11/magazine/best-songs.html|title=25 Songs That Matter Now|date=March 12, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=March 16, 2020|url-status=live|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315234143/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/11/magazine/best-songs.html|url-access=limited}}

Naming "The Man" as the "most important" song Swift has ever written, Brittany Hodak of Forbes, commended that "the magic of "The Man" is not just that it captures a complex (and often misunderstood) issue so brilliantly and simply, but also that it conveys to Swift's female fans that even she isn't above the BS that so many of us are regularly subjected to". Hodak concluded that she is "hopeful that Swift's spotlight on the issue will spark a national conversation about sexism, power, and equality".{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittanyhodak/2019/08/23/lover-offers-the-most-important-song-taylor-swift-has-ever-written/|title=Why 'Lover' Track 'The Man' Is The Most Important Song Taylor Swift Has Ever Written|last=Hodak|first=Brittany|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=November 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110124911/https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittanyhodak/2019/08/23/lover-offers-the-most-important-song-taylor-swift-has-ever-written/|url-status=live}}

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/115983325|title=Lover by Taylor Swift|date=August 23, 2019|website=Tidal|location=United States|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823042807/https://listen.tidal.com/album/115983325|archive-date=August 23, 2019|access-date=August 23, 2019}}

{{div col}}

• Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriter, producer
• Joel Little – producer, songwriter, drum programmer, keyboards, recording engineer
• John Hanes – mix engineer
• Serban Ghenea – mixer
• John Rooney – assistant recording engineer

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "The Man"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2019|relmonth=8|certyear=2024|access-date=June 14, 2024|refname="ARIA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|access-date=May 1, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|award=Gold|id=13693|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|access-date=October 13, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=December 19, 2024|source=radioscope|relyear=2019|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|access-date=February 21, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|id=taylor-swift-the-man|access-date=April 1, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|id=12806-1598-1|access-date=January 27, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Taylor Swift|title=The Man|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|access-date=October 25, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{reflist}}

{{Taylor Swift songs}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Man, The}}

Category:2019 songs

Category:2020 singles

Category:American synth-pop songs

Category:Electropop songs

Category:Songs about cross-dressing

Category:Music videos directed by Taylor Swift

Category:Republic Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Joel Little

Category:Song recordings produced by Taylor Swift

Category:Songs with feminist themes

Category:Songs written by Joel Little

Category:Songs written by Taylor Swift

Category:Taylor Swift songs

Category:MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction

Category:Drag (entertainment)-related music