From Hair to Heartbreak: The Symbolism in ‘The Subway’ by Chappell Roan

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Chappell Roan has finally dropped ‘The Subway’ — a breakup anthem that seriously hits home for anyone who’s ever been in love and lost it.
This emotional pop track dives deep into the rawest parts of heartbreak, capturing that haunting feeling of not being able to let go.

At the heart of the song is a fleeting connection Roan can’t seem to forget. A mysterious figure with green hair and a beauty mark she keeps running into on the subway. It perfectly captures the emotional gut punch of unexpected encounters and the slow, painful process of moving on.

‘The Subway’ has been one of Roan’s most anticipated releases since she first performed it live at NYC’s 2024 Governor’s Ball, dressed head-to-toe in green. Fans instantly latched onto its vulnerability. After a year of fine-tuning it in the studio, she finally released the track on August 1, 2025, alongside a cinematic music video that only adds to its emotional weight.

Hair as a Symbol of Obsession

In the music video, Chappell Roan’s hair becomes a powerful metaphor for heartbreak. Her long red hair trails through the streets of New York—getting stuck in taxi doors, tangled in corners, and even becoming a home for rats and trash. It visually represents how certain memories cling to you, no matter how much you try to move on.

The green wig she chases symbolizes the ex she can’t let go of. It highlights the emotional attachment that often lingers even when logic says it’s time to move forward.

At its core, ‘The Subway’ is about the pain that sticks around after a breakup and the desperate need for space. Roan even imagines moving to Saskatchewan, Canada, just to escape the memories that New York won’t let her forget. Still, there’s a sense of hope underneath it all. The chorus repeats, “it’s just another day,” reminding us that healing takes time.

‘The Subway’ Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I saw your green hair
Beauty mark next to your mouth
There on the subway
I nearly had a breakdown
A few weeks later
Somebody wore your perfume
It almost killed me
I had to leave the room

[Chorus]

It’s just another day
And it’s not over ‘til it’s over, it’s never over (Ah)
It’s just another day
And it’s not over ‘til it’s over (Ah)
It’s never over

[Post-Chorus]

‘Til I don’t look for you on the staircase
Or wish you thought that we were still soulmates
But I’m still counting down all of the days
‘Til you’re just another girl on the subway

[Verse 2]

Made you the villain
Evil for just moving on
I see your shadow
I see it even with the lights off
I made a promise, if in four months this feeling ain’t gone
Well, fuck this city, I’m movin’ to Saskatchewan

[Chorus]

It’s just another day
And it’s not over ‘til it’s over (Ah, ah-ah)
Oh, ‘til it’s over
It’s just another day
And it’s not over ‘til it’s over (Ah, ah-ah)
It’s never over

[Post-Chorus]

‘Til I can break routine during foreplay
And trust myself that I won’t say your name
But I’m still counting down all of the days
‘Til you’re just another girl on the subway

[Outro]

She’s got, she’s got a way