The Music Theory of Why "Good Luck, Babe" Hurts My Ears

Today, #MusicTheoryKim is dabbling into why my ears don’t like the studio version of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe.” I really, really don’t like the original recording of the song. The high notes sound like shrieking to me(albeit skilled, controlled shrieking), but that doesn’t mean it’s not good!

Please don’t take my aversion to the D Major version the wrong way. I appreciate what our girl Kayleigh gave us (though Hot To Go! is the superior CR single). Chappell’s ability to tell an evocative story in 3 minutes is far ahead of her pop-girl peers.

Here’s the VMA version of Good Luck, Babe!

Here’s the Tonight Show version of the song. (I said Stephen Colbert in the podcast. My bad.)

I couldn’t be happier for Chappell’s success. She’s the total package, and the few glimpses of her personality that I’ve come across make her seem like a good time.

Tell me why I almost cried while watching Chappell onstage with Olivia? Girl Power lives!

P.S. There’s new merch! If you’re a paywall member, stay tuned for your 15% off discount code.