After two years of virtual silence Chappell Roan has dropped her first single as an independent artist.
“Naked in Manhattan” is a three minutes and 31 seconds long masterpiece that makes the listener want to put on a pink feather boa and jump around their room. The “Pink Pony Club” singer has not disappointed with this upbeat bop she describes as a “queer anthem for the girls.”
“I wrote this song about my first queer experience,” Roan said in a TikTok. “I tried to capture how truly amazing it was in a pop song.”
“Naked in Manhattan” was actually written three years ago, Roan said in a TikTok, the primary platform she’s used to promote the new single. Much of Roan’s popularity comes from her song “Pink Pony Club,” which was released in early 2020 and ended up on Spotify’s Indie Pop playlist where it has gained almost 7 million streams.
The song itself is more similar to “Pink Pony Club” than any of her other songs like “California” or “Sugar Rush.” Instead of a somber mood like much of her older work, her new song is an upbeat pop masterpiece. If you haven’t listened to Roan’s music before, every song shows off her incredible vocals. She has such a wide range, from a traditional pop star soprano to a deep rich tone you rarely hear from a female pop artist.
This song hits all the queer woman staples. Astrology, “Mean Girls” and that sexual tension you have with your best girl friend who you might be a little closer to than straight women are.
“I just want people to hear this song and feel seen in their queerness,” Roan said in a TikTok live Thursday night. “And have something to party to.”
Every lyric is just so feminine, flirty and FUN. Roan captures the excitement that comes from a new crush and the electricity of doing something new for the first time. She has found the perfect words to describe that line many queer women have where they are not sure what their friend may be comfortable with, especially when you don’t know whether or not said friend is also queer. Trying to straddle the line between silly and fun to romantic intentions is a delicate balance, but Roan’s lyrics capture those feelings.
“Don’t touch, I’ll never cross the line
So I pushed you down a million times
I’d love if you knew you were on my mind
Constant like cicadas in the summertime”
The song also references a time when Roan would sing “that Lana song it makes you cry.” She revealed the Lana Del Ray song was “Ride.”
Roan also said her favorite lyrics in the song are, “an inch away from more than just friends.”
If you liked “Silk Chiffon,” “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” or “Hit the Back” you will love “Naked in Manhattan.”
Roan will be opening for Olivia Rodrigo May 27th in San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
Photo via Chappell Roan’s Spotify
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