Why was Chappell Roan's band dressed like an 80s hair metal act during her Grammy performance? The answer unlocks the surprising secret behind her #1 country hit "The Giver." This musical detective story connects glam rock aesthetics to modern country through an unexpected lineage involving AC/DC's producer, Shania Twain's revolution, and men who inadvertently dressed in drag. Between fiddle licks and gated reverb drums lies a brilliant subversion of country traditions that proves the genre has always been about musical drag while revealing what "rhinestone cowgirl" really means.
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Songs Discussed:
- Chappell Roan – "The Giver"
- Chappell Roan – "Pink Pony Club"
- Big & Rich – "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)"
- Bon Jovi – "Living on a Prayer"
- Guns N' Roses – "Sweet Child of Mine"
- AC/DC – "Back in Black"
- Def Leppard – "Pour Some Sugar on Me"
- Nirvana – "About a Girl"
- Bryan Adams – "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)"
- Shania Twain – "Any Man of Mine"
- Shania Twain – "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"
- Toby Keith feat. Willie Nelson – "Beer for My Horses"
- Carrie Underwood – "Before He Cheats"
- Trace Adkins – "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"
- Glen Campbell – "Rhinestone Cowboy"
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