Chappell Roan Is Boosting Interest In Saskatchewan With Her New Song

The Grammy award winning singer shouts out the province in her new song “The Subway” and it’s caused a lot of curiosity online…

Sorry Ontario, Quebec and all the other provinces and territories. Saskatchewan might be the country’s new tourist destination thanks to Chappell Roan. 

Last Friday, Roan debuted her new single The Subway and gave the almost trapezoid shaped province a shoutout. At about the 00:01:42 mark, Roan sings “Well, fuck this city. I’m movin’ to Saskatchewan.” The singer eyes the province as a cure for the heartbreak she’s singing about. 

The Grammy award winning singer has seemingly put Saskatchewan on the map and it has the online traffic numbers to prove it. Its tourism board has reported 230 social media mentions and almost 40,000 interactions related to the region in the days leading up to the song’s release. “It’s great news for our province,” CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan Jonathan Potts told ABC News. “It’s a lot of fun to have such a wonderful, popular artist singing our praises and giving the opportunity to tell the story of Saskatchewan.” 

The organization’s vice president of marketing and communications, Amy McInnis, also told CTV News that people have been searching “moving to Saskatchewan” worldwide. 

Tourism Saskatchewan’s new Chappell inspired campaign

In response to the song, Tourism Saskatchewan launched a new campaign. “Exploring Saskatchewan Based on Your Favourite Chappell Roan Song,” pairs popular songs by the artist with destinations that match the vibe and energy. 

For The Subway, the tourism board recommends Grasslands National Park, described as “one of Canada’s quiet, least touched corners.” 

Danceland in Manitou Beach was given Pink Pony Club because they are both quirky and fun. The venue once hosted a concert by Elvis and its interior is likely the same from when the singer performed with its wood walls and eccentric details. “If Pink Pony Club is about finding a space to let loose and be yourself, Danceland delivers that in prairie form: joyful, quirky, and always ready to party,” said Tourism Saskatchewan. 

Hot To Go’s attraction is the Saskatchewan Roughriders home base Mosaic Stadium, which makes sense as they’re both full of energy. Other pairings include Red Wine Supernova with Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park by the Alberta border and Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl with Saskatoon’s Remai Modern museum. 

How is the online world reacting to the mention? 

The province’s mention has prompted a slew of social media content in the past week. Most fans are lip syncing to the lyrics, some in front of Saskatchewan landmarks and city signs. Other users are taking to social media to share what they’ve learned about the province or to highlight its beauty.

Mexico City DJ Manuel Oropeza posted a video lip syncing to the song. The video highlights what he’s learned about Saskatchewan, which includes that is a Canadian province and that it doesn’t have a subway. 

Influencers like @HeyImAlysia are sharing the natural beauty that the province has to offer to the world. 

Proclaimed “Sask Girlie” @LittleTwinkOnThePrairie is taking a different approach. When the lyrics were announced, the creator posted a video pleading Roan visit the province. “We are so excited that you finally mentioned us in a song,” they suggest. “But I think you need to come here and do a little promo sister.” And to be honest…she just might.

Could Chappell perform in Saskatchewan? 

Saskatchewan is largely overlooked by major American artists when tour dates are announced. If an artist performs in Canada they opt for Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal. However, in a February interview with Nardwuar The Human Serviette, the artist suggested that she might in fact perform there.  

“I was looking at venues there to try to play a show there,” she told Nardwuar. “I owe it to them. I cannot sing a show about Saskatchewan and not go there and play a show.” The comment was also likely one of the earliest mentions that Roan would sing about the province.  

Roan is currently in Europe on tour, coming back to North America with a series of US dates in September. No Canadian dates have been included yet, but we’re excited to see if she’ll actually be heading to Saskatchewan.