Chappell Roan, Good Luck, Babe! | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 32nd edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight the song, “Good Luck, Babe!” performed by Chappell Roan.

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E 🏳️‍🌈! Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musician(s) and analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome while the songs can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the 32nd edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight “Good Luck, Babe!” performed by Chappell Roan.

“I don’t wanna call it off / But you don’t wanna call it love / You only wanna be the one that I call baby.” Uh-oh. We have a classic case of internalized homophobia within a same-sex relationship. Chappell Roan is comfortable with her sexuality in “Good Luck, Babe!”.  Her girlfriend, however, is struggling with accepting that she’s a lesbian.  Given the girlfriend’s struggles, it complicated the relationship.  “You can say that we are nothing, but you know the truth,” Roan asserts in the first verse, adding, “And I guess I’m the fool.”  Internalized homophobia is a part of the LGBTQ+ experience.  Some folks work through it sooner than others. Others struggle with it forever.  Being queer in a heteronormative world can be tough, and Roan’s girlfriend didn’t reach a level of comfort.

The colorful, dynamic, and thoughtful “Good Luck, Babe!” was written by Roan alongside Justin Tranter and producer, Dan Nigro.  The sound is alternative pop with a standard rhythm section (including keys/synthesizer), programming, and strings.  Chappell is an awesome singer who shows off the versatility of her instrument.  As the song progresses, Roan shows more power and range.  Back to the authentic, impeccable songwriting, Roan continues to paint the picture of the end of this relationship because of remaining closeted.  “And I cry, it’s not fair / I just need a little lovin’, I just need a little air,” she sings in the second verse, changing her tune in the second pre-chorus, “Think I’m gonna call it off / Even if you call it love / I just wanna love someone who calls me baby.” The damage has been done.  In the chorus, she wishes her luck suppressing her sexuality to fit the heterosexual narrative of the word:

“You can kiss a hundred boys in bars

Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling

… Make another excuse, another stupid reason

Good luck, babe (Well, good luck).”

“Good Luck, Babe!” is epic. It addresses a prevalent issue within the LGBTQ+ community and how complicated same-sex relationships can be.  Some myopic folks view queer relationships as merely sexual. There are layers. Like any relationship there are plenty of issues couples must work through. One person all-in, and the other person not fully in won’t work.  Unrequited love = not cool.  What is cool?  Chappell Roan who shines in Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, must-hear bop.

Chappell Roan // “Good Luck, Babe!” // KRA International, Inc. / Island // 2024

Chappell Roan, Good Luck, Babe!: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 32 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; KRA International, Inc. / Island; Elias Souza, Los Muertos Crew from Pexels; CatsWithGlasses, Maicon Fonseca Zanco, Square Frog, Sudo from Pixabay]