Chappell Roan crashes country music’s party
The Midwest Princess goes full country twang, and refuses to ask for permission!
Chappell Roan’s The Giver isn’t just a country song— it’s a statement. A glitter-covered statement in a genre that isn’t exactly known for welcoming voices like hers.
Roan has never been one to color inside the lines. She has built her career on theatrical pop, over-the-top performances, and an unapologetic embrace of queerness. So when I heard she was pivoting into country—a space that has historically been resistant, if not outright hostile, to LGBTQ+ artists—it felt both shocking and inevitable. Because if anyone is going to bust through the saloon doors of country music with rhinestone chaps and a mission, it’s Chappell Roan.
In an interview with Billboard, Roan admitted that stepping into country was “bold and scary.” And for good reason. The genre has deep conservative roots, and its recent years have only amplified the divide between traditional and progressive. But Roan is clearly planting her flag in the genre with her latest single.
Roan also acknowledges that country music was part of her upbringing in Missouri: “I can’t call myself the Midwest Princess and not acknowledge country music. That’s what’s around me in grocery stores. That’s what is playing on the bus,” she said. But this isn’t just nostalgia—this is reclamation. Country music has always been about storytelling, about underdogs, about heartache and rebellion. And Roan is tapping into that spirit, but on her own terms!
The Giver is also dropping at a moment when the cultural and political climate is more polarized than ever. We’re seeing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweep across the U.S., while mainstream country music still largely plays it safe when it comes to representation. I feel like a proud older sister watching Chappell not just dip a toe into country, but cannonball in.
But beyond the statement, The Giver is simply just a damn good song. From the moment that fiddle kicks in, you know you’re in for something special. The melody is rich and warm, blending classic country elements with Roan’s signature theatrical delivery. It’s the kind of track that feels both nostalgic and fresh, paying homage to the genre’s roots while subverting expectations in the best way possible.
Oh, and I love the lyrics. On the surface, The Giver is a love song, but listen closer, and you’ll hear the kind of double entendres that make country music so damn fun. There’s a sultry, almost teasing quality to the verses, giving the track a playful yet powerful energy. Roan isn’t just singing about love—she’s flipping the script, infusing the song with a confidence that feels both sexy and empowering. She’s saying, “I’ll take care of it. I’ve got this.” It’s the kind of messaging that, whether intentional or not, subtly reinforces a broader theme: women—queer or not—can get the job done.
Country music doesn’t belong to one type of person. It never has. And as artists like Chappell Roan continue to kick down doors, the genre will have no choice but to evolve.
Didn’t know I could love Chappell more than I already do!