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Music News

Yes, Taylor Swift Interpolates George Michael’s ‘Father Figure’ on ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

The late icon's hit will be present in the pop star's unreleased song of the same name.

Taylor Swift, George Michael

Taylor Swift, George Michael

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Michael Putland/Getty Images

Taylor Swift pays tribute to one of the fathers of modern pop on her forthcoming new song “Father Figure,” which Billboard has learned will tribute George Michael’s 1988 hit of the same name.

After weeks of rumors that the late icon’s fingerprints would be on the fourth track of the pop star’s upcoming The Life of a Showgirl album, Billboard can confirm that to be the case. As opposed to sampling Michael’s “Father Figure,” however, Swift will interpolate the evergreen smash in her version.


The news comes just three days ahead of the release of The Life of a Showgirl on Oct. 3. This week, Swifties have been flooding social media with excitement over the possibility that Michael is credited as a songwriter on “Father Figure,” though it hadn’t been confirmed until now.

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Michael’s ex partner Kenny Goss, however, told TMZ in August that he had heard about a possible interpolation, and that he thought Michael would have loved for Swift to use “Father Figure” in her music.

“Father Figure” is one of several enduring hits from Michael’s 1987 debut album, Faith. The track spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, and in the past year or so, it has experienced a resurgence thanks to its popularity on TikTok.

Swift’s song featuring Michael’s work comes nearly two decades after she first paid homage to the Wham! star. In 2008, the Eras Tour headliner covered the duo’s “Last Christmas” for her Christmas album.

Not counting the “Father Figure” interpolation, Sabrina Carpenter is the only feature set to appear on The Life of a Showgirl, guesting on the title track.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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William Prince

William Prince

FYI

Music News Digest: William Prince Announces National Tour, Abigail Lapell & Julian Taylor Amongst Folk Music Ontario Award Winners

Also this week: 11 music industry associations from across the country converge for Come Together in Toronto , The Trews launch a new album with an intimate event and more.

Juno-winning Indigenous roots singer/songwriter William Prince has just released a new album, Further From the Country, and announced a cross-Canada tour for early 2026. That trek begins in Saskatoon on Feb. 28, closing out at Toronto's Massey Hall (his third headlining appearance there) on March 21, then followed by an April 25 homecoming show at Winnipeg's Centennial Concert Hall. Support act on the tour is Boy Golden, who produced Prince's new record. Tickets go on sale Friday (Oct. 24) here. On Nov. 18, Prince, Boy Golden and Whitehorse play Canadian label Six Shooter’s Cosmic Country Night at Brooklyn's Union Pool.

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