Sailor Song (song)

Last updated
"Sailor Song"
Gigi Perez - Sailor Song.jpg
Single by Gigi Perez
ReleasedJuly 26, 2024
Genre Indie folk
Length3:31
Label Self-released
Songwriter(s) Gianna Perez
Producer(s)
  • Perez
  • Noah Weinman
Gigi Perez singles chronology
"Please Be Rude"
(2024)		"Sailor Song"
(2024)
Music video
"Sailor Song" on YouTube

"Sailor Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Gigi Perez, released as a single on July 26, 2024. Her third independent track following her release from Interscope Records, it went viral on TikTok and peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Sailor Song" peaked within the top ten of the charts in various countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Contents

Background

Perez went viral on TikTok in 2021 for her tracks "Celene" [1] and "Sometimes (Backwood)", [2] prompting Interscope Records to sign her and release her EP How to Catch a Falling Knife. [1] Following her release from the label, Perez reverted to releasing music independently, starting with "Normalcy" and "Please Be Rude" in 2024. [3]

Composition and reception

Perez wrote "Sailor Song" in her bedroom in February 2024. At the time, she had been ruminating on the idea of a quick infatuation, and wrote the song while playing with her guitar, "kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor" first. [4] She recorded the song using an Shure SM7 and recorded three vocals, which were panned to the left, the right, and the centre. [4] An acoustic ballad, she began teasing the track on TikTok in April 2024, where it went viral. The song describes Perez being attracted to a woman who looks like actress Anne Hathaway. [5] In the chorus, she asks her lover to "kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor" [6] and "And when you get a taste, can you tell me, what's my flavor?" [5]

Perez released the track on July 26, 2024; by 27 August, the initial clip had soundtracked over 40,000 videos on the platform and the official audio had been used in over 75,000. [3] The song drew criticism from far-right conservative Christian communities online for the lyrics "I don't believe in God / But I believe that you're my savior". [5] In August 2024, in response to requests to remove this lyric, Perez wrote in captions on TikTok that she would not entertain such a lyric change as her songwriting was "not a democracy". [3]

Fans likened her sound to that of indie folk artists such as Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Hozier, [3] while the Official Charts Company wrote that the track had been compared to Hozier, the National, and Bon Iver. [5] Lucy Harbron of Far Out gave the song a rating of 4.5 out of 5, complimenting both "her utterly unique and stunning voice that is rich with emotion" and "her sharp lyricism that manages to articulate even the trickiest feelings with pure poetry". [6] The track became both her first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 [3] and her first to reach the UK singles chart. [5]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Sailor Song"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ) [39] Gold15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [40] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tik Tok (song)</span> 2009 single by Kesha

"Tik Tok" is the debut single by American singer Kesha, who co-wrote the song with its producers Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. It was released on August 7, 2009, as the lead and debut single from her debut studio album, Animal (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like I Can</span> 2014 single by Sam Smith

"Like I Can" is a song by English singer Sam Smith. It was released as a digital download on 5 December 2014 as the fifth single from their debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour (2014). The song was written by Smith and Matt Prime and produced by Steve Fitzmaurice, Jimmy Napes and Mojam. It debuted and peaked at number 9 in the United Kingdom, becoming Smith's fifth UK top 10 single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spirits (The Strumbellas song)</span> 2016 single by the Strumbellas

"Spirits" is a song by Canadian indie folk band the Strumbellas. It was produced by Dave Schiffman and was released as a single from the band's third album, Hope, in 2016.

"I Was Never There" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and French DJ Gesaffelstein, from the former's first extended play, My Dear Melancholy (2018). The song was written by the Weeknd, Gesaffelstein, and Frank Dukes, and was produced by the latter two. The song is the first of three collaborations between the two artists and the second of the songs to go viral on TikTok in the early 2020s, after "Lost in the Fire".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harleys in Hawaii</span> 2019 single by Katy Perry

"Harleys in Hawaii" is a song by American singer Katy Perry. It was released as a standalone single on October 16, 2019, by Capitol Records, along with its music video. It was later included on Perry's sixth studio album, Smile (2020). The song was written by Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Perry and its producers Charlie Puth and Johan Carlsson.

<i>Seven Inches of Satanic Panic</i> EP/single by the Swedish rock band Ghost

Seven Inches of Satanic Panic is the third EP by the Swedish rock band Ghost. First released digitally on 13 September 2019 by Loma Vista Recordings, it features the songs "Kiss the Go-Goat" and "Mary on a Cross", written by vocalist Tobias Forge along with songwriters Salem al Fakir and Vincent Pontare. It was later released on 7" vinyl. Seven Inches of Satanic Panic has been described as a two-track EP and as a single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toosie Slide</span> 2020 single by Drake

"Toosie Slide" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020). Written alongside producer OZ, it was released as the lead single on April 3, 2020, through Republic and OVO. The song is titled after social media influencer, Toosie, who had previously helped the song go viral. A video was released alongside the song, showing Drake quarantined, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also demonstrates the Toosie Slide dance in his Toronto mansion. The song debuted at number eighteen on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 before debuting at number one on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart the next week, making Drake the first male artist to accomplish three number-one debuts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party Girl (StaySolidRocky song)</span> 2020 single by StaySolidRocky

"Party Girl" is a song by American rapper StaySolidRocky, originally self-released on September 12, 2019, and then re-released by Columbia Records on April 21, 2020, as his third career-single. The song went viral on video-sharing app TikTok and became StaySolidRocky's first charting single. It was written by the rapper and its producer Nashi. The track was later included on his debut EP Fallin', released July 17, 2020. A remix with rapper Lil Uzi Vert was released on July 10, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Broke Me First</span> 2020 single by Tate McRae

"You Broke Me First" is a song by Canadian singer Tate McRae. It was released on April 17, 2020, through RCA Records as the lead single from her second extended play, Too Young to Be Sad (2021). The song gained popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok, where it has featured in over a million videos. The song is the second most streamed song released by a female artist in 2020. The song impacted mainstream US radio on August 4, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Build a Bitch</span> 2021 single by Bella Poarch

"Build a Bitch" is the debut single by American internet celebrity Bella Poarch from her debut extended play, Dolls (2022). She wrote the song with Salem Ilese and its producers David Arkwright, Justin Gammella, Elie Rizk, and Sub Urban, with Stefan Max also receiving a producer credit. Warner Records released it on May 14, 2021 for digital download and streaming. After achieving success on TikTok, Poarch signed a record deal with Warner in May 2021 to launch her music career. A dark pop and pop track, Poarch has stated that the song is about one embracing oneself. A few music critics have suggested that it also contains feminist themes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fingers Crossed (Lauren Spencer-Smith song)</span> 2022 single by Lauren Spencer-Smith

"Fingers Crossed" is a song by British-born Canadian singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer-Smith, self-released as a single on January 5, 2022. It was written by Spencer-Smith, Fransisca Hall and Jakke Erixson, and produced by Erixson. The song went viral on TikTok and charted in various countries, reaching number one in Ireland and Norway.

"First Class" is a song by American rapper Jack Harlow, released through Atlantic Records and Generation Now as the second single from Harlow's second album Come Home the Kids Miss You on April 8, 2022. The song was produced by Rogét Chahayed, BabeTruth, Charlie Handsome, Jasper Harris and Nickie Jon Pabón, and heavily samples the 2006 Fergie song "Glamorous", which features Ludacris and was produced by Polow da Don. The song went viral on TikTok before its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romantic Homicide</span> 2022 single by D4vd

"Romantic Homicide" is a song by American singer D4vd. It was released through DistroKid on July 20, 2022, as the second single from his debut EP, Petals to Thorns. The song went viral on the app TikTok in September 2022, was rereleased through Darkroom and Interscope, and subsequently achieved commercial success.

"Apple" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It quickly became a standout from the Brat album and went viral on TikTok shortly afterwards, spawning a dance craze on the platform. It was produced by A. G. Cook and written by Charli XCX and released on 7 June 2024 from her sixth studio album Brat through Atlantic Records. The song was released to Italian radio through Warner Records on 2 August 2024 as the third single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Si No Estás</span> 2022 single by Íñigo Quintero

"Si No Estás" is a song by Spanish musician Íñigo Quintero, released as his debut single on 23 September 2022 through Acqustic. It is Quintero's breakthrough single, peaking at number one in Spain, Austria, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. It additionally entered the top 10 in Belgium and Italy and on the Billboard Global 200, and reached the top 40 in Denmark and Finland.

Gianna Brielle Perez, known professionally as Gigi Perez or simply Gigi, is an American singer-songwriter. Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, she went viral on TikTok for her songs "Celene" and "Sometimes (Backwood)" and spent a period signed to Interscope Records, on which she released the 2023 EP How to Catch a Falling Knife. After leaving the label, she released "Sailor Song", which peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Sailor Song" also peaked within the top ten of the charts in various countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. She has also supported Coldplay on their Music of the Spheres World Tour, Noah Cyrus on her The Hardest Part Tour, and D4vd on his The Root of It All Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin (Dasha song)</span> 2023 single by Dasha

"Austin", alternatively titled "Austin (Boots Stop Workin')" on streaming platforms, is a song by American singer Dasha, released through Version III as a single on November 17, 2023, from her second studio album What Happens Now? Dasha co-wrote the song, which went viral on TikTok. "Austin" became Dasha's first single to chart, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2024. Outside of the United States, "Austin" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Flanders), Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell Ur Girlfriend</span> 2024 single by Lay Bankz

"Tell Ur Girlfriend" is a song recorded by American rapper and singer Lay Bankz. It was released through Artist Partner Group on February 7, 2024, as the lead single from her debut studio album, After 7. Atia Boggs and Johnny Goldstein co-wrote the R&B and synth-pop song with hip hop and dance elements, in which Bankz sings and raps over a Philly club-inspired beat about asking a lover with a girlfriend to tell her about their affair. The song topped the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart for three weeks starting in April 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamushi (song)</span> 2024 single by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Yuki Chiba

"Mamushi" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba from the former's third studio album Megan (2024). After going viral on the video-sharing platform TikTok, the song was released to urban radio by Hot Girl Productions and Alternative Distribution Alliance as the album's fourth single on July 30, 2024. Produced by Koshy, the bilingual track sees Megan and Chiba rapping in English and Japanese. A remix featuring South Korean girl group Twice instead of Chiba was released as a part of Megan: Act II (2024), the deluxe reissue of Megan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Up (Odetari song)</span> 2024 single by Odetari

"Keep Up" is a song by American rapper and singer Odetari. It was released alongside "Frostbite" on July 17, 2024, and charted internationally, including in the United States where it became his first charting song, after viral use in TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts.

References

  1. 1 2 Daly, Rhian (April 28, 2023). "Brooklyn's Gigi Perez shares new EP 'How To Catch A Falling Knife'". NME. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Q&A: From Going Viral on TikTok to Playing with Coldplay, gigi Discusses Her Journey in Music". THE LUNA COLLECTIVE. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Zellner, Xander (August 27, 2024). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Gigi Perez Debuts With Queer Love Ballad 'Sailor Song'". Billboard . Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  4. 1 2 Daw, Stephen (2024-10-03). "How Gigi Perez Turned Queer Longing Into a Breakout Hit: 'Representation Gives People the Ability to Dream'". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Griffiths, George (28 August 2024). "Who is Gigi Perez? New artist blowing up with viral hit Sailor Song". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  6. 1 2 Harbron, Lucy (4 August 2024). "The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music of the week". Far Out . Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Gigi Perez – Sailor Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Gigi Perez – Sailor Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of November 2, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Gigi Perez: Sailor Song" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Gigi Perez – Sailor Song" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Billboard Global 200: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) (Week: 43/2024)" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Streymi, spilun og sala viku 41" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on October 12, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Straumēšanas Top 2024 – 42. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 42] (in Latvian). LAIPA. October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  20. ↑ "2024 42-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Oct 24, 2024". TopHit . Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Luxembourg Songs: Week of November 2, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Gigi Perez – Sailor Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  24. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Singel 2024 uke 42". VG-lista . Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Philippines Hot 100: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard Philippines . Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  27. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 11.10.2024–17.10.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Gigi Perez – Sailor Song". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  29. ↑ "RIAS Top Charts Week 43 (18 - 24 Oct 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 42. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 43". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Gigi Perez – Sailor Song". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  37. ↑ "CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 9/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  38. ↑ "SK – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 9/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  39. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Gigi Perez – Sailor Song". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  40. ↑ "British single certifications – Gigi Perez – Sailor Song". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 26, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.