Chappell Roan – Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess – Song Ranking

I have a feeling this might be one of my most controversial placements on the list. If that’s the case, I’m just a little bit sorry, because this song is UNREAL. It’s so incredibly delicious and satisfying. It’s a journey from enduring a toxic relationship, to witnessing your ex’s downfall, to feeling the satisfaction of coming out victorious and indulging in every bit of your ex’s well-deserved suffering. Everyone loves a little justice. Chappell is so real because he says the loud part out loud: It feels so good to watch someone who’s treated you badly destroy themselves and reap what they’ve sown. It feels so good, in fact, it’s almost dirty. Not only is the subject matter satisfying, but the buildup to the choruses before culminating in a loud celebration is deeply satisfying musically. The song has an incredible build and momentum, which obviously parallels being aroused, agitated and ultimately satisfied. It’s playful, petty and oh, so satisfying. It’s also so creatively and successfully executed. In this list, I’ve raved about Chappell’s range as a singer and writer, but I also want to touch on her range as an artist. In a single album, she can break your heart, make you fall in love, fall out of love, radicalize you, turn you on and scare you. THAT’S a star, folks.