“The Subway” by Chappell Roan trends as fans react with tears and tweets
Photo: Reuters
Chappell Roan has finally dropped the studio version of her powerful breakup ballad “The Subway,” a song she first performed live at Governors Ball 2024 while dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Produced by Dan Nigro, the track features sparse instrumentation and raw, vulnerable lyrics about heartbreak and emotional entrapment.
Roan describes the song as a tribute to “the hope, heartbreak, and healing” of New York City. It was teased earlier this month and is now available on all major platforms. The official music video is set to premiere at 10 a.m. ET on August 1.
Some of the most resonant lines—“Made you the villain, evil for just moving on” and “I see your shadow. I see it even with the lights off”—have especially struck a chord with fans online.
Chappell previously admitted on Las Culturistas that “The Subway” was the hardest song to finalize in the studio, despite how well it landed live. Her commitment to emotional authenticity is clearly paying off.
Fans quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the release:
Chappell Roan via Instagram:
— best of chappell roan (@bestofchappell) August 1, 2025
“The Subway OUT NOW!!!!
I’m very proud of this song & what a journey she has been on. I first played it at gov ball when I was painted green as lady liberty and in the past have played new songs live to feel them out. Obviously not knowing this… pic.twitter.com/wrhs2guPF6
not to be dramatic but this line kinda changed the trajectory of my life https://t.co/UO2GQtmY9z
— willow ₊˚. POLYTRIX (@lxcygraybaird) August 1, 2025
‘made you the villain… evil for just moving on….’ OH GODPPELL pic.twitter.com/GHBIhpWjUF
— stella ༊*·˚ (@gr7nde_) August 1, 2025
how it feels listening to the official studio recording of The Subway by Chappell Roan for the first time pic.twitter.com/sXEx5khuGg
Roan also revealed on Las Culturistas that “The Subway” was the hardest song to finalize in the studio—despite how effortlessly it connected with live audiences. That emotional authenticity continues to strike a chord with listeners, solidifying the song’s place as a fan favorite.