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The Giver (song)

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For the Duke Dumont song, see The Giver (Reprise).
"The Giver"
Single by Chappell Roan
B-side"Fix It in the Morning" (demo)
Written2024[1]
ReleasedMarch 13, 2025
Genre
Length3:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dan Nigro
Chappell Roan singles chronology
"Good Luck, Babe!"
(2024) 		"The Giver"
(2025) 		"The Subway"
(2025)
Lyric video
"The Giver" on YouTube

"The Giver" is a song by American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. It was released as a single through Amusement and Island Records on March 13, 2025, as her first song in the country music genre.

"The Giver" was first performed live during her debut appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on November 2, 2024. In the months leading up to the song's release, Roan teased the track through billboards seen across the United States. On March 13, Roan also released an infomercial-style lyric video for the song, conceptualized by her creative director Ramisha Sattar.

Written by Roan and producer Dan Nigro, the song features traditional country instrumentation, including a fiddle, while parodying conventional country lyrical norms by candidly talking about lesbian intimacy. Although Roan named "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich and "Chattahoochee" by Alan Jackson as influences for the song, various music critics compared "The Giver" to the music of The Chicks and Shania Twain.[2]

Background and composition

[edit]

"The Giver" marks a departure for Chappell Roan into the country music genre,[3] with critics describing the song as country[4] and country pop.[5] The song incorporates traditional country instrumentation, including a fiddle, while subverting conventional lyrical themes with queer storytelling.[3][6] Roan collaborated with producer Dan Nigro on the writing process, emphasizing a piano-driven approach to establish the song's structure before focusing on production.[6] In the key of B major and a tempo of 93 beats per minute, her vocals in the song span from F♯3 (lowest note) to E5 (highest note).[7]

In an interview with Amazon Music, she explained that she found the idea of writing a lesbian country song amusing, but she did not intend to "invade" the genre or bait its usual audience to listen to her songs. She found the genre nostalgic and freeing.[8] However, she further explained that her upbringing as a closeted lesbian in Missouri who was taught to hate her own sexuality or "pray it away" influenced the song. "I love myself so much that I took a leap into a pretty painful part of my past in the Midwest and made a song of joy," she shared.[9]

Promotion and release

[edit]

The song was first performed live during Roan's debut appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) hosted by comedian John Mulaney on November 2, 2024.[10][11] Ahead of the release, she teased the song during a question and answer session at the Grammy Museum, where she described the writing process as an opportunity to reconnect with her roots.[3][6] Roan hinted at the song and its thematic departure from her earlier work through social media posts, suggesting the beginning of a new era in her career.[10][11] Nigro revealed that preparing the song involved extensive research and a creative exploration of country music tropes, though he refrained from detailing specific influences.[6] The single's official release was highly anticipated following the positive reception of the live debut.[6]

On SNL, "The Giver" was presented as a brand-new song following her performance of "Pink Pony Club" from her 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.[11] The live debut featured an elaborate stage setup and her characteristic drag-inspired aesthetic.[10][11]

In the months leading up to the song's release, Roan teased the track through billboards seen across the United States, in which she appeared dressed as various career women with the hotline number 620-HOT-TO-GO. On March 13, 2025, she released "The Giver" as a single.[12] The following day, on March 14, she also released an infomercial-style lyric video for the song conceptualized by her creative director, Ramisha Sattar, featuring Roan as a range of professions, such as a construction worker ("she can fix you"), a detective ("I know what you are"), and a lawyer ("you'll love my briefs"). The lyrics of the song appear on-screen, following Roan's various professions.[13][14]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash9/10[15]
The Guardian[16]

The song received widespread critical acclaim. Robin Murray of Clash gave "The Giver" a score of 9 out of 10, hailing it as "breathlessly entertaining" country-pop. He praised the song for its glossy production, while maintaining Roan's brassy, bold essence.[15] Meanwhile, Laura Snapes of The Guardian gave the song four stars out of five. She called it "riotous good fun", comparing it to The Chicks' hit songs from the 1990s.[16] Meanwhile, Walden Green of Pitchfork compared "The Giver" to Shania Twain's music. He commended Nigro's production on the song, which he said "chugs like a train and revs like a pickup truck", though he lamented the absence of Roan's ad-lib during her SNL performance of the song ("Only a woman knows how to treat a woman right") in the final product.[2]

Autostraddle writer Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya echoed Snapes and Green's comparisons of "The Giver" to the music of The Chicks and Shania Twain. She noted that lyrics were extremely candid about intimacy, praising the song for its direct, overt approach towards lesbian sex. Upadhyaya also lauded Sattar, adding that "we should be talking about Ramisha's work every time we talk about Chappell's artistry." She concluded, "Not a single part of ["The Giver"] is subtle, and that's why I instantly love it," commending Roan for taking "big swings" in her art.[14] Likewise, Vulture's Justin Curto wrote that Roan sounded like a young Natalie Maines in "The Giver" and that the song "sounds like a lesbian Shania Twain single".[17]

Critics responded to "The Giver" with commentary on its impact within the country music landscape.[18] USA Today identified it as part of a growing movement of queer country music, highlighting how it challenges traditional norms in the genre.[18] The song's lyrics and Roan's SNL performance were noted for their assertive and direct address of queer themes, positioning the track among modern LGBTQ+ country anthems.[18][11][3] Critics highlighted Roan's use of humor and assertiveness as distinctive within the genre.[3]

The performance on SNL drew attention for its blend of retro Western visuals and modern thematic content. Commentators have situated "The Giver" within a broader trend of increasing LGBTQ+ representation in country music, likening Roan's efforts to those of artists such as Brandi Carlile and Orville Peck.[3][6]

Live performances

[edit]

The debut of "The Giver" on SNL included a visually distinct performance featuring Roan with an all-female band, dressed in Western-inspired denim and gingham attire.[10][11][6] The performance was characterized by spoken word interjections where Roan addressed the audience directly.[10][11][3] Critics described the performance as vibrant and reflective of her theatrical style.[10][11]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"The Giver" debuted at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Roan's third top-ten single and her first top-40 debut. The song accumulated 22.3 million streams, 6,000 downloads, and 2.2 million in radio audience impressions in its first full charting week.[19] The song also debuted atop the Hot Country Songs chart, making Roan the third woman to have their first entry on that chart debut at number one. She follows Beyoncé with "Texas Hold 'Em" (2024) and Bebe Rexha with "Meant to Be" featuring Florida Georgia Line (2017).[20] After previously spending 7 weeks on the Hot 100, it re-entered the chart at #43 during the July 12, 2025 issue prior to the shipments of the vinyls released for the song.

In the United Kingdom, "The Giver" debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart on March 21, 2025 – for the week ending date March 27, 2025 – becoming Roan's fourth top ten song, and first top ten debut song, in Britain.[21]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[22]

Musicians

[edit]
  • Chappell Roan – vocals
  • Dan Nigro – background vocals, keyboard, guitar, percussion
  • Lily Elise – background vocals
  • Wes Hightower – background vocals
  • Jonathan Wilson – banjo
  • Ryan Linvill – bass
  • Sterling Laws – drum kit
  • Paul Cartwright – strings

Technical

[edit]
  • Dan Nigro – production, recording, drum programming
  • Randy Merrill – mastering
  • Mitch McCarthy – mixing

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "The Giver"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and format(s) for "The Giver"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various March 13, 2025
[57]
United States March 14, 2025 Country radio MCA Nashville [20]
Various June 27, 2025 7-inch single
  • Amusement
  • Island
 [58]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ felix PVF [@ifyoulethimstay] (March 14, 2025). "i think we started it like right after coachella last year so it's been like a year!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b Green, Walden (March 14, 2025). "Tracks: "The Giver" - Chappell Roan". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Ahsan, Ali (2024-11-14). "Chappell Roan's "The Giver" Turns Up in Country Music". Groovevolt. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  4. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (March 13, 2025). "Chappell Roan Releases Country Single 'The Giver'". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Fell, Nicole (March 13, 2025). "Chappell Roan "Gets the Job Done" in Highly Anticipated Country Single 'The Giver'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Cramer, Jude (November 12, 2024). "Here's how Chappell Roan's latest song helped her connect to her roots". INTO. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "Chappell Roan "The Giver" Sheet Music in B Major (transposable)". Music Notes. Alfred Publishing. 14 March 2025. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  8. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (March 13, 2025). "Chappell Roan Says She Thought a 'Lesbian Country Song Is Really Funny,' So She Wrote 'The Giver'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  9. ^ Phillipp, Charlotte (March 14, 2025). "Chappell Roan Jokes She 'Loves a Man Who Can Shovel Horse Manure' Despite Poking Fun at Country Boys on 'The Giver'". People. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Lutkin, Aimée (2024-11-03). "Chappell Roan's 'The Giver' Lyrics Are a Flirty Invitation". Elle. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Peters, Mitchell (2024-11-03). "Chappell Roan Dazzles With New Country Song 'The Giver' During Elaborate 'SNL' Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  12. ^ Fell, Nicole (March 13, 2025). "Chappell Roan "Gets the Job Done" in Highly Anticipated Country Single "The Giver"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  13. ^ Zhang, Cat (March 14, 2025). "Yeehaw, Chappell Roan Is Back". The Cut. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Upadhyaya, Kayla Kumari (March 14, 2025). "Chappell Roan's 'The Giver' Is Country at Its Best and Gayest". Autostraddle. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  15. ^ a b Murray, Robin (March 14, 2025). "Chappell Roan – The Giver". Clash. Archived from the original on March 16, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ^ a b Snapes, Laura (March 14, 2025). "Chappell Roan: The Giver review – saddle up, there's a new sheriff in town". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Curto, Justin (March 14, 2025). "Chappell Roan's 'The Giver' Review: A Genuine Country Song". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c Gibbs, Audrey (November 6, 2024). "Chappell Roan defies norms with lesbian country song. More queer country anthems". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  19. ^ Trust, Gary (March 24, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar & SZA's 'Luther' Leads Hot 100, Playboi Carti, Chappell Roan & Doechii New in Top 10". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Asker, Jim (March 24, 2025). "Chappell Roan's 'The Giver' Gets No. 1 Debut on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Griffiths, George (March 21, 2025). "Extraordinary! Alex Warren celebrates first-ever Number 1 single". Official Charts Company.
  22. ^ "The Giver / Chappell Roan / Credits - The Giver". Tidal. March 13, 2025. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  23. ^ "Top 20 Argentina Anglo – Del 14 al 20 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Argentina – English – 14 to 20 July, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  24. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 24, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
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  28. ^ "Canada Country: Week of May 3, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  29. ^ "Canada CHR Airplay − Week of April 26, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Top 20 Colombia – Anglo – Del 30 de Junio al 6 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Colombia – English – From 30 June to 6 July, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  31. ^ "Airplay Radio Chart Top100 – 07. travnja 2025". Top lista (in Croatian). Hrvatska diskografska udruga. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  32. ^ Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart. TopHit. May 9, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  33. ^ "Chappell Roan – The Giver" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  34. ^ "Chappell Roan Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  35. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 12/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  36. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 16. Birt 19. apríl 2025 – Næst uppfært 26. apríl 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  37. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  38. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of March 26, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  39. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Apr 24, 2025". TopHit. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  40. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 18, 2025" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  41. ^ "Chappell Roan – The Giver" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  42. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 21, 2025. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  43. ^ "Week of March 28, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  44. ^ "Chappell Roan — The Giver". TopHit. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  45. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 12, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  46. ^ "Chappell Roan – The Giver". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  48. ^ "Top 20 Uruguay – Anglo – Del 14 al 20 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Uruguay – English – 14 to 20 July, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  49. ^ "Chappell Roan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  50. ^ "Chappell Roan Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  51. ^ "Chappell Roan Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  52. ^ "Chappell Roan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  53. ^ "Chappell Roan Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  54. ^ "Top 20 Venezuela – Anglo – Del 7 al 13 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Venezuela – English – 7 to 13 July, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  55. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: May 2025" (in Russian and English). TopHit. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  56. ^ "British single certifications – Chappel Roan – The Giver". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  57. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2025-04-08. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  58. ^ "The Giver 7" Vinyl Single - The Lawyer". Chappell Roan Official Store.
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