• Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” was inspired by a painful breakup she initially thought was serious.
• She revealed the story behind the song in a Rolling Stone interview.
• The lyric about moving to Saskatchewan sparked real tourism interest.

Chappell Roan’s latest single, “The Subway,” isn’t just another breakup anthem—it’s a raw, personal confession.

The Grammy-winning artist recently shared her experience about the heart-wrenching breakup that inspired the track. This piece combines her vulnerability with her signature storytelling style. Both fans and critics are deeming it her most relatable work to date.

The Breakup That Inspired “The Subway”

Roan wrote the song after a painful long-distance relationship ended abruptly. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she shared:

“I was talking to a friend who had been with them on the day they ended things with me, and they told my friend it was nothing and just casual. In my mind, I was like, ‘What do you mean it was casual? We were sharing secrets and communicating literally every day!’”.

The unexpected emotional turmoil left her shaken, and “The Subway” became her outlet for processing the grief. The lyrics express the pain of watching an ex move on:

“Made you the villain, evil for just moving on or I see your shadow, see it even with the lights off”.

Chappell Roan stuns for Vogue. pic.twitter.com/YJ1X24yBC5

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 4, 2025

Why Saskatchewan? A Symbolic Escape

Among the song’s most discussed lines is Roan’s declaration to “move to Saskatchewan” if her heartache persists. This reference symbolizes a drastic fresh start rather than a random thought.

Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Jonathan Potts embraced the unexpected spotlight, telling ABC News:

“It’s great news for our province. It’s a lot of fun to have such a wonderful, popular artist singing our praises”.

The province even launched a campaign capitalizing on the buzz, highlighting its serene landscapes as the perfect place to heal.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

Since its debut, “The Subway” has struck a chord with listeners. A fan on Autostraddle likened it to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” describing it as “a karaoke showstopper at the next queeraoke night”.

Roan’s honesty about post-breakup struggles—like smelling an ex’s perfume on a stranger—struck a chord.

“Somebody wore your perfume / It almost killed me / I had to leave the room”.

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Last Updated on August 4, 2025