You’ve seen the viral clips. The massive crowds at Coachella, the "Midwest Princess" sash, the drag-inspired makeup that takes three hours to apply. Chappell Roan is everywhere in 2026. But if you look closely at her setlists or scroll to the bottom of her discography, you'll find a song that feels like a glitch in the timeline.
Love Me Anyway isn't a synth-pop banger. It’s not "Pink Pony Club" and it’s definitely not "HOT TO GO!"
It’s something much more vulnerable. Honestly, it’s the song that reminds us who Kayleigh Rose Amstutz was before she became the neon icon we know today. Released on May 1, 2020, right in the middle of a global lockdown, this track sits in a weird limbo between her moody School Nights era and the high-octane pop that made her a superstar.
Why Love Me Anyway Hits Different
Most people found Chappell through her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. But here’s the thing: Love Me Anyway isn't even on that album.
Why? Because it’s too sweet. It’s too "summer camp."
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The song was written with Dan Nigro, the same mastermind who helped Olivia Rodrigo find her sound. While most of Chappell’s recent hits are about messy queer situationships or dancing through the pain, this track is a ballad about unconditional love. It’s about someone seeing your mess and sticking around.
In her own words from 2020, Chappell mentioned the song made her feel "sparky and warm." It’s a far cry from the "Casual" heartbreak or the "Red Wine Supernova" lust. It’s the sound of a girl from Willard, Missouri, still trying to figure out if she deserves to be loved for exactly who she is.
The Lyrics That Make Fans Cry
There’s a specific line that always gets people. “I love you because you hide those Polaroids of me inside your nightstand.” It’s such a small, intimate detail. It doesn't scream "pop star." It screams "real life." The song tracks a relationship from a summer camp meeting to high school dances, eventually ending up in a place where the narrator is sleepwalking and being led back to bed by a partner who just... gets it.
The Mystery of the Missing Track
Fans have spent years debating why this song didn't make the cut for the 2023 album. If you go on Reddit, you'll see theories flying everywhere. Some think it’s because the song feels "too straight" or too tied to her past life. Others argue it just didn't fit the theatrical, campy narrative of the "Midwest Princess" persona.
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But it’s not a forgotten relic.
Chappell still plays it. In fact, throughout 2024 and 2025, it became a staple of her live shows. It serves as a "breather" moment. After twenty minutes of jumping and screaming, she sits down and reminds everyone that she can actually sing. Like, really sing. That signature yodel-flip in her voice? It’s all over this track.
Where to Listen to It
Even though it’s not on the main album, you can find it as a standalone single on all major platforms.
- Spotify/Apple Music: Look for the single cover with the DIY-style craft aesthetic.
- YouTube: The lyric video is essentially a time capsule of 2020 quarantine energy.
- Live Versions: Search for her 2025 festival performances; the arrangement has grown even more lush over time.
Love Me Anyway and the 2026 Resurgence
With the "Midwest Princess" era reaching its peak, fans are digging deeper into the vault. We’re seeing a huge spike in searches for her older work. People want the "lore." They want to know the girl who wrote these songs before she was selling out arenas.
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Love Me Anyway represents the bridge. It’s the moment she moved to LA, started working with Dan Nigro, but hadn't quite put on the wig and the glitter yet. It’s raw. It’s a little bit folk-pop. And frankly, it’s one of the best vocal performances she’s ever put to tape.
If you’re a new fan, don't skip this one. It might not be the song you play at a party, but it’s the song you’ll want to hear at 2:00 AM when you’re feeling a little too much.
How to experience the song like a true fan:
- Put on high-quality headphones.
- Listen for the subtle acoustic guitar under the bridge.
- Pay attention to the way her voice cracks slightly on the word "anyway" near the end.
- Compare it to the production on The Subway or her 2025 singles to see how much she’s evolved while keeping that core vulnerability.
The next time you see her live, watch the crowd during this song. It’s the one moment where the "theatrics" fade away, and it’s just a girl and her story. That's the real magic of Chappell Roan.