Chappell Roan’s new country song about lesbian sex doesn’t play by typical genre conventions

Chappell Roan has become the latest pop star to break into country music after debuting a provocative new song. Saturday Night Live last weekend.

TransmitterWith lyrics that openly discuss sexual relationships with women, it has reignited conversations about queer representation in country music, a genre where the charts are dominated by straight white men and hit songs often reinforce conservative values ​​and traditional gender roles.

“You country boys say you know how to treat a woman,” Roan said while looking directly at the camera during the speech. SNL Performance of the violin-oriented song. “Well, only a woman knows how to treat a woman. She’ll get the job done.”

Nadine Hubbs, musicologist, cultural historian and author of the book Rednecks, Queers and Country MusicRoan quotes Billie Eilish’s song, saying it’s part of the current “sappic pop” movement where women write specifically about sex between women rather than love in a broader sense or through insinuation and metaphor. Lunch as another example.

While Roan’s online fans were quick to pick up on the references, Hubbs says the lyrics may float over the minds of some listeners unfamiliar with the singer’s “pure oeuvre.” Yet while sexual lyrics are more common in other genres like rap and R&B, Roan dares to tread a road less traveled in country.

“The fact that he challenged the country kids — like, ‘Who needs you now? I can do so much better for women,’ that would definitely be new,” Hubbs said.

Hubbs isn’t sure if Roan will try to make a legitimate move on the country scene. SNL the performance’s “campy” presentation, lyrics about cowboys and hunting, and the bandmates’ retro country and western attire.

He says Roan’s “flashy take on retro country themes” is reminiscent of Canadian country icon KD Lang, who publicly came out as a lesbian in 1992. Although Lang wasn’t explicitly singing about sex, he was initially viewed with skepticism in the country, Hubbs says. scene in the 1980s due to its similarly campy style.

If it says Transmitter “I’d be very interested. Not only is it about the explicit sex, but it usually doesn’t go over well in Nashville when artists seem to ‘camp out’ in the country.”

Roan’s lyrics could see backlash: music prof

Roan is no stranger to controversy since his meteoric rise to fame this year following the release of his debut album in 2023. The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess.

He said in June rejected an invitation She took to the stage to perform at a White House pride event and hit back at fans for their “creepy” behavior in August.

He also made statements in support of the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war and was recently criticized online for refusing to support a presidential candidate in the US election.

Shana Goldin-Perschbacher, associate professor of music studies at Temple University in Philadelphia and author of the book gay countryRoan’s foray into the genre may get mixed reactions from country fans, he says.

WATCH | kd lang talks about his career before his induction into the hall of fame:

kd lang knows he’s ‘no ordinary music star’

Whether it is an original song or a classical interpretation, kd lang has always added originality to his music and life; This was something that wasn’t always accepted in country music. Ahead of his induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, he spoke with The National’s Ian Hanomansing about his unique career and acceptance from his peers.

“Because he went out of his way to insult his brother country, there may be some backlash from some people who are more defensive,” he said.

Goldin-Perschbacher says queer themes have existed in country music since at least the 1930s, noting that 1960s country star Wilma Burgess was a lesbian but did not directly address her sexuality in her lyrics.

While country duo Brothers Osborne has continued to have success since member TJ Osborne came out as gay in 2021, many gay musicians who broke out into the country scene, like Chely Wright and Ty Herndon, have struggled to find acceptance since coming out as gay, he says. .

Canadian country singer Drake Jensen told CBC in 2017 that coming out as gay five years ago “completely derailed” his career and that he was no longer part of the Canadian country music scene.

The country’s industry was rocked by accusations of bias against gay and black musicians in 2019 After the billboard was taken Lil Nas X’s hit Old Town Road left the country chart in 2019, saying the song didn’t meet the criteria.

Country musician Maren Morris publicly left the country music industry last year for its unwillingness to accept more women, gay people and people of different ethnicities, or to reckon with its history of racism and misogyny.

Slight change in country music

Goldin-Perschbacher says there have been some recent changes in country music toward acceptance of queer artists and themes, noting comments Lang made in September. Induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Famebut he says these discussions are still not encouraged at the institutional level in the industry.

“Because it’s a commercial venture, they don’t want to alienate any listeners, and that frustrates the musicians,” he said.

On the other hand, he says, artists like Roan and other pop stars who first found success outside the country scene (adding drag queen-turned-country singer Trixie Mattel and Canadian singer Orville Peck to the list) can overlook different aspects of the genre. thematic decorations.

“I don’t think any of them need the country music industry to be successful, and so even if it’s a risk, they’re willing to take it,” he said.

“They don’t need the tightly managed Nashville scene to achieve success.”