Chappell Roan is making waves in country music with her highly anticipated new single, The Giver. After months of teasing, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter is ready to release the track, which promises to become a powerful anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly lesbians.
Originally performed on Saturday Night Live in November, The Giver quickly captured the attention of fans, racking up hundreds of thousands of views. However, the song remained unreleased until now, with Roan dropping it officially on March 13 at 8 p.m. ET.
With The Giver, Roan is unapologetically carving out space for LGBTQ+ voices within country music—a genre historically dominated by heteronormative themes. The song’s lyrics offer a humorous, bold declaration of Roan’s sapphic identity, with themes of dominance and pleasure.
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The Giver references the concept of being a “giver” in lesbian relationships—a term often associated with those who take a dominant or active role in sexual encounters. Roan embraces this role in the song while poking fun at men who claim to know how to please women but fail to live up to their boasts.
“Ain’t got antlers on the walls, but I sure know mating calls from the stalls in the bars on a Friday night,” Roan sings in the first verse, mocking taxidermy as a typically masculine hobby while suggesting her instincts are put to better use in other ways. She continues to critique men’s lack of understanding about women’s anatomy, stating, “And other boys may need a map, but I can close my eyes and have you wrapped around my fingers like that.”
The chorus boldly affirms her confidence and expertise: “So, baby when you need the job done, you can call me, baby.” Roan suggests that women—particularly lesbians—can fulfill each other’s needs better than men who claim to understand how to pleasure women. The single’s rollout further highlights this theme, with Roan posing in outfits associated with traditionally male professions like builder and plumber.
The song’s chorus continues, “’Cause you ain’t got to tell me, it’s just in my nature. So take it like a taker, ’cause, baby, I’m a giver. Ain’t no need to hurry, ’cause, baby, I deliver. Ain’t no country boy quitter, I get the job done.” This powerful declaration of sexual confidence reflects not only Roan’s personal identity but also the broader message of sexual empowerment among queer women.
Roan takes aim at stereotypically masculine traits in the second verse, rejecting the need for a “lifted truck” or flashy wealth to impress women. Instead, she asserts that her touch alone can captivate. She also references the Rhinestone Cowboy in a playful nod to queer women, emphasizing the reverse cowgirl sex position and placing lesbian relationships at the forefront of the narrative.
The bridge drives home the message of lesbian empowerment: “All you country boys saying you know how to treat a woman right… well, only a woman knows how to treat a woman right!”
In an interview with Apple Music’s Today’s Country Radio, Roan reflected on the creation of The Giver, explaining that she wanted to write a country song that was both fun and campy. She recalled her upbringing in southwest Missouri, where she was surrounded by country music and Christian influences. Despite her love for country music, Roan also discovered pop and LGBTQ+ icons like Lady Gaga, which has influenced her approach to blending genres.
Roan’s new music, she says, is about making songs that bring her joy. “I am just here to twirl and do a little gay yodel for y’all,” she said, reflecting her carefree approach to blending her country roots with her love for pop and LGBTQ+ expression.
As Roan continues to make a name for herself in the music world, The Giver marks a significant moment for both her career and LGBTQ+ visibility in country music. Fans are already celebrating the track, which will undoubtedly resonate with lesbians and queer women everywhere.
Chappell Roan’s The Giver is available for streaming now, and it’s clear that the singer-songwriter’s unique blend of country music and queer empowerment is just getting started.
