After more than a year of performing her queer anthem “The Subway” live, Chappell Roan has unveiled a studio version that is rich, visually engaging, and fully realized, meeting the high expectations and ready to be embraced by a wider audience.
Listen to: “The Subway” – Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan made her live debut of “The Subway” over a year ago at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York, further solidifying what was already a pivotal show in her early career. With lyrics and themes deeply rooted in the grandeur and expanse of New York City, the performance provided an ideal backdrop to introduce the song to listeners.
The Subway – Chappell Roan
I noticed your green hair
A beauty mark by your mouth
There on the subway
I nearly broke down
A few weeks later
Someone wore your scent
It almost shattered me
I had to step outside
Many fans anticipated that “The Subway” would be released soon after, but instead, they experienced months filled with festival and independent performances, with clips of live renditions flooding social media. From her impressive singing at Lollapalooza to an emotional performance at Primavera Sound, fans were eager for a studio version.
Online discussions were sharply divided; some expressed frustration over the long wait for the song’s release, while others encouraged her to take the necessary time to ensure it was polished. In the months leading up to the release, Chappell Roan shared her struggles in creating the studio version and explained the lengthy wait.
In an appearance on the podcast Las Culturistas with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Chappell Roan remarked, “I’ve been struggling with ‘The Subway’ because some songs work live and don’t translate to the studio.” She later expressed via her Instagram upon the track’s release, “I didn’t know this chaotic year would follow the [Governors Ball] performance, which left me little time to create the world that the song deserved. But we’re finally here . . . thank you for being patient for a whole year. It was worth it to ensure everything was perfect.”
While the specific challenges she faced with the song remain unknown, whether related to lyrical adjustments or the vocal demands at the song's climax, the final polished version is sure to resonate with both devoted fans and casual listeners due to its nuanced and strong composition.
On a basic level, “The Subway” addresses a theme explored by numerous artists—a post-breakup experience, endlessly circling thoughts of a lost connection. Chappell Roan’s rendition stands out due to her remarkable vocals, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics, and her unwavering commitment to the visual aspects of her music. Importantly, she continues to contribute to the queer art canon, particularly in relation to wlw relationships, captivating both queer and heteronormative audiences.
The music video for “The Subway” allows viewers to fully engage with the emotions Chappell Roan conveys in the song. In a frantic journey through New York, she perceives her ex in everything around her, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to quieter rooftop moments, as well as advertisements in public transit. As she describes, “The cliche of ‘the girl that got away’ barely touches the surface of my feelings with this song. I wrote it while wandering New York with a broken heart, envisioning us in every street, fire escape, coffee shop, park, and yes... the subway.”
It’s just another day
And it’s not over until it’s over
It’s never over
It’s just another day
And it’s not over until it’s over
It’s never over
‘Til I stop looking for you on the staircase
Or wishing you thought we were still soulmates
But I’m still counting down the days
‘Til you’re just another girl on the subway
In the second half of the music video, we see Chappell Roan daydreaming, walking through the train filled with beautiful strangers. Seemingly oblivious to them, she scans the train car, gazing out the windows, desperately searching for any trace of her green-haired love. In the city during the powerful outro, she confronts her loss. The visuals intensify the melancholic outro, showing a tearful Roan in a fountain at Washington Square Park, followed by a climactic moment as debris swirls around her in the wind.
Made you the villain
Just for moving on
I see your shadow
Visible even in the dark
I promised that if this feeling doesn’t fade in four months
then screw this city,
I’m moving to Saskatchewan!
It’s just another day
And it’s not over until it’s over
Oh, until it’s over
It’s just another day
And it’s not over until it’s over
It’s never over
‘Til I can break routine during intimacy
And
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After showcasing her queer anthem “The Subway” live for more than a year, Chappell Roan has produced a vibrant, visually captivating, and fully realized studio version that meets expectations and can be loved by many.