Courtney Govan has never been one to run from openness, and in her latest single, “your opinion,” she takes that frankness and remolds it into an alt-pop battle cry. The American queer singer-songwriter roots her past and present selves in a song that’s both deeply personal and broadly uplifting.
Written by Govan and produced by Bret Paddock, with angelic backing harmonies from Anthony Gargiula and Govan herself, “your opinion” hits a chord. From the opening note, you’re swept into Courtney’s world where self-doubt has overstayed its welcome, and confidence is finally taking the stage.
The story inspiring the track is heartbreakingly relatable. Courtney received her first wave of online hate at 12. That moment was a turning point, the start of seeing ourselves through the often unsparing eyes of others. But rather than staying quiet, Courtney sings through the noise, proclaiming with defiance and grace that her worth is no longer subject to debate.
The first anonymous hate comment she received online was when she was 12 years old, and she thinks she started living for other people at that point. Indeed, that line hits hard as we live in a world where we are, at times, so glued to social media that it can be part of our identity. But “your opinion” is Govan’s method of reclaiming the narrative. It’s not a plea for validation but a raucous, sequined no thanks.
The song is open and assured, blending glimmering synths with Govan’s inimitable voice, which is soft and imperious. The production has a cathartic edge that reflects the song’s emotional weight, and you can hear the healing in each word. Courtney Govan is writing freedom songs for anyone who has ever felt small under someone else’s microscope. “your opinion” is a letter to her younger self, sure, but it’s also a reminder for the rest of us that the only voice that counts in defining you is your own.
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