In her breakout hit "Pink Pony Club," Chappell Roan belts out the words, "I'm gonna keep on dancing at the Pink Pony Club," capturing the imagination of listeners across the country. While the song has become a staple on the airwaves and a standout track on her acclaimed album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, the origins of this song have sparked curiosity, especially for those familiar with her hometown ties.
Released as part of her highly praised album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, "Pink Pony Club" is currently ranked No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Roan's rising star power. The track is joined by her other hits, including "Good Luck, Babe!" and "Hot To Go!", while "Red Wine Supernova" sits further down.
Despite being a Willard, Missouri, native, Roan’s lyrics don’t directly reference her hometown or the nearby city of Springfield in "Pink Pony Club." However, a surprising local tie has emerged regarding the song’s inspiration. According to Roan’s team, the now-defunct strip club The Pony, which once operated at 1750 S. Glenstone Avenue in Springfield, served as a muse for the track. That location now houses Rumors Cabaret, a nightclub tucked between Coyote’s Adobe Cafe and the Lamplighter Inn & Suites.
While the building remains the same, its vibrant exterior from The Pony days—hot pink with purple accents—has been replaced by a more subdued gray, blending with neighboring businesses. Back in its heyday, the club's bold colors and neon signage made it a landmark along Glenstone Avenue, impossible to miss.
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau published a Q&A with Roan in February 2023, in which she reminisced about her inspiration for the song. "My 'Pink Pony Club' song is literally inspired by a strip club in Springfield. It used to be called Pink Cadillac, but now it’s Centerfolds. The building used to be all hot pink. They had neon signage and it was so beautiful. I remember growing up and passing it because I used to go to Hickory Hills (Country Club). I always adored it and wanted to go in there, but didn’t realize it was a strip club."
While Roan’s memories paint a vivid picture, there are discrepancies in the details. The Pink Cadillac, another former Springfield strip club, was located at 765 S. Glenstone Avenue, a different address entirely. That building has since been demolished. Springfield Centerfold, which Roan also mentioned, operates across town at 2800 W. Sunshine Street. Meanwhile, Hickory Hills Country Club is located at 3909 E. Cherry Street, far from both locations. However, depending on her route, Roan could have passed by Glenstone Avenue on her way to Hickory Hills, sparking her admiration for the iconic pink facade.
Regardless of the exact location, the imagery of the Pink Pony Club serves as a metaphor for self-discovery, freedom, and embracing individuality—key themes in Roan’s music. The track has resonated deeply with fans, turning a local legend into a universal anthem of acceptance and personal growth.
Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise and her ability to weave personal and imaginative narratives into her music are proof that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places—even a strip club in Springfield. For fans and locals alike, Pink Pony Club is more than a song; it's a celebration of transformation, creativity, and the power of bold self-expression.