It is undeniably alluring to credit the unexpected triumph of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” — the breakout sleeper hit featured on the deluxe edition of Role Model’s second studio album, *Kansas Anymore* — solely to the mesmerizing impact of its widely shared, viral live performances. The temptation arises naturally: in an era when social media can catapult a melody into the cultural stratosphere overnight, it seems plausible that the song’s immense popularity could be traced back to those electrifying onstage moments that captured both seasoned fans and casual listeners alike.
During the earliest renditions of this track, Role Model developed a distinctive stage tradition that blurred the line between performer and audience. At the height of the song’s call-and-response bridge — the part in which the lyrics turn into a communal chant perfectly engineered to spark crowd participation — he would spontaneously invite audience members to come up on stage and embody the titular character, Sally. This interactive gesture, playful and inclusive, transformed each concert into a miniature theatrical event, making every attendee feel as though they could momentarily step into the song’s narrative world. It was precisely this bridge, exhilarating and chant-ready, that became the emotional heartbeat of each live show and the section audiences began to eagerly anticipate.
As the custom gained virality across social media platforms, short clips of these guest inclusions multiplying across TikTok and Instagram, Role Model expanded the ritual’s scope. He began to invite not only fans but also fellow musicians, actors, and influential figures to portray ‘Sally’ during performances. What started as a spontaneous interaction became a recurring highlight of his concerts, eventually cementing itself as a signature feature of his touring persona. The growing prestige of these guest appearances — now including high-profile names such as Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Kate Hudson, and Natalie Portman — mirrored Role Model’s own escalating visibility within the entertainment industry. Each new addition to the list symbolized another rung climbed on the ladder of contemporary pop-cultural relevance.
This evolving performance practice aligns neatly with a broader lineage of pop star traditions that have used surprise guest moments to captivate audiences. Role Model’s installation of celebrity cameos clearly takes inspiration from earlier innovations within the concert gimmick genre: Justin Bieber’s warmhearted serenades of his so-called “One Less Lonely Girl,” MUNA’s exuberant “Silk Chiffon” collaborations, and Sabrina Carpenter’s cheekily staged “Juno” arrest routine. Yet, despite the strategic cleverness behind such theatrical flourishes, one immutable truth persists — no live gimmick, however inventive, can sustain itself without a genuinely compelling song at its core. And “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” is, by every measure, an exceptionally well-crafted piece of music: irresistibly melodic, rhythmically infectious, and possessing that elusive, maddening charm that causes a chorus to lodge itself in the listener’s mind long after the final note has faded.
The track’s success has proven transformative for Role Model himself. Merely a year prior, he hovered on the fringes of mainstream recognition, appreciated by a modest but devoted fandom. Now, propelled by the ascent of this singular hit, he stands as one of pop’s most magnetic emerging figures. At his shows, the atmosphere verges on frenzied as he greets his audience with the now-iconic phrase, “Hey, divas,” prompting euphoric screams from fans who revel in his mix of confidence and self-aware humor. In that moment, the boundary between performer and admirer dissolves; through his affectionate perspective, everyone in the crowd is invited to participate in the shared fantasy of being Sally — that multifaceted muse who embodies confidence, allure, and something just slightly untouchable.
For those drawn to the smart storytelling and intimate production style of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” it is worth exploring other corners of Role Model’s repertoire. Songs such as “Look at That Woman,” “Old Recliners,” and “Some Protector” continue to reveal his evolving artistry — each track capturing, in its own distinct way, the nuanced emotional landscapes that mark him as one of the most promising voices in modern pop.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/best-songs-2025
