Musician Chappell Roan acknowledges Lady Gaga as a significant influence on their musical career
Chappell Roan, the rising star who recently topped the UK charts with her song "The Subway", recently appeared on Apple Music Radio, hosted by Zane Lowe. During the interview, Roan discussed the importance of exploring new genres and shared the story behind her latest hit.
"The Subway" is a deeply personal breakup ballad that captures Roan's struggle with lingering feelings for a former lover. Contrary to popular belief, the song is not about New York City, but rather about Los Angeles, a city where Roan felt lonely for many years. The song's title refers to avoiding coffee shops and parties in LA, symbolising a desire for escape and privacy.
The emotional turmoil of seeing an ex repeatedly and the difficulty of moving on are themes that Roan explores in "The Subway". The song also includes symbolic mentions of trading a bustling city for a more peaceful, rural place, reflecting a desire for emotional peace and perhaps nodding to her small-town Missouri roots.
Roan's genre-blending approach in "The Subway" is a testament to her flexible creative approach. The song combines pop, alt-pop, dream pop, power pop, jangle pop, and shoegaze influences, reflecting the contemporary trend of artists experimenting beyond strict genre boundaries.
While there is no direct information linking Roan’s views on genre experimentation specifically to Lady Gaga’s work, her style embodies a spirit of genre fluidity akin to Gaga’s. This is evident in Roan’s previous release, "The Giver", a country song, which she revealed was not scary to release.
"The Subway" is the third song released from Roan's upcoming second album, following "Good Luck, Babe!" and "The Giver". The song debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her highest-charting single to date.
In an interview, Roan stated that exploring new genres is one of the most admirable things an artist can do. She believes that it builds the character of an artist's artistry and allows them to create unique and compelling music. Roan's own career is a testament to this belief, as she continues to push boundaries and experiment with her sound.
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"In the interview on Apple Music Radio, Chappell Roan expressed her admiration for artists who explore new genres, citing it as a crucial aspect of building an artist's character and creating unique music."
"Roan's recent hit song, 'The Subway', is a prime example of her genre-blending approach, combining elements of pop, alt-pop, dream pop, power pop, jangle pop, and shoegaze, reflecting the contemporary trend of artists experimenting beyond strict genre boundaries."
