Chappell Roan has been heralded as 2024’s most unlikely mainstream success story, but for queer fans, it’s about time — way past time, if you ask us. The sapphic bop “Good Luck, Babe!” has now cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and that’s a victory for any song defying universal themes in favor of specific queer experiences.

Released on April 5, “Good Luck, Babe!” initially debuted at #77 on the Billboard charts. Although that number might not sound impressive, it’s a rare feat for a newly famous artist. Even rarer for a song about queer love ruined by compulsory heterosexuality.

Barely three months later, the single’s popularity has exploded, thanks in part to acclaimed Coachella and Tiny Desk performances. But the song has also grown popular on its own merit — otherwise, it would amount to a flash in the pan. After all, it’s one of those songs that shouldn’t work as a pop anthem, but does anyway. It bristles with wounded anger while maintaining an upbeat melody and a unique vocal style.

Now fans are celebrating the milestone, and frankly, we’ve earned it.

Roan’s mainstream recognition could not come at a more crucial time. In addition to her own drag-inspired aesthetic, the self-described midwestern princess makes a point of featuring local drag openers in states where drag — and LGBTQ+ rights in general — are under assault. Like the unnamed girl in “Good Luck, Babe!”, these right wing ghouls would have to stop the world if they want to keep queer art out of the public eye.

In related historic music news this week, Shaboozey became the first Black male artist to top both the Billboard 100 and the Hot Country Songs chart at the same time. Successes like these might just signal a new landscape for the mainstream acceptance of marginalized artists. Roan’s anthem not only signals the end for comp-het pop, but for the bland standard of universal appeal altogether — which is a good thing for all music fans.

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