Gigi Perez makes her chart debut with ‘Sailor Song’, a viral sensation, showcasing her unique style while addressing controversy over her lyrics.
“Oh, won’t you kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor?/ When you get a taste, can you tell me what’s my flavor?” This is the opening of the chorus for a controversial new song to hit the US charts, sung by a woman to her female lover.
Gigi Perez, a burgeoning sensation in the alternative music scene, has officially made her debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with her viral track “Sailor Song.” The self-released single, which came out on July 26, has premiered at number 98 on the chart dated August 31. The song’s rise in popularity is largely attributed to its performance on streaming platforms, having accumulated 5.6 million official U.S. streams from August 16 to 22, reflecting a 20% increase, according to data from Luminate.
Besides breaking into the Hot 100, “Sailor Song” has also made significant strides on other charts. It has climbed to number 9 on Hot Alternative Songs, number 9 on Hot Rock Songs, and number 13 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.
Perez, originally from New Jersey but raised in Florida, has utilised TikTok extensively to promote her music. Her first teaser for “Sailor Song” appeared on the platform in April, effectively generating buzz ahead of its formal release. The initial TikTok clip has been used in more than 40,000 videos, while the official audio track has been featured in over 75,000 clips on the platform. Fans and critics alike have drawn parallels between her musical style and that of alt-folk artists such as Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, and Hozier.
However, the song has not been without its controversies. The lyrics include the line, “I don’t believe in God / But I believe that you’re my savior,” which has sparked some backlash from religious TikTok users who have demanded its removal. Addressing the criticism, Perez took to TikTok to make her position clear, stating, “I never had to consider whether or not I was going to change my song cause it was never up for discussion … My songwriting is not a democracy and that applies to every artist’s work.”
Gigi Perez first emerged on the music scene in 2021 with her single “Sometimes (Backwood),” which has since garnered 57.9 million official U.S. streams. She followed up this initial success with the release of her debut EP, “How To Catch a Falling Knife,” in 2023, in collaboration with Mogul Vision and Interscope Records. This year, Perez has continued to build her discography with the release of two more songs, “Normalcy” in March and “Please Be Rude” in May.
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