Gigi Perez’s journey to musical stardom took an unexpected turn with the viral sensation of “Sailor Song.” This indie-pop ballad, characterized by its raw emotion and heartfelt lyrics, has resonated with audiences worldwide, catapulting Gigi Perez into the global spotlight. The story of “Sailor Song Gigi” is not just about a song’s success; it’s a testament to artistic resilience, the power of self-belief, and the profound connection music can forge between an artist and their listeners.
In April, during a moment that underscored the burgeoning impact of her music, Gigi Perez encountered a fan whose dedication went beyond mere admiration. After a concert, the fan proudly revealed a fresh tattoo boldly declaring, “Gigi I 🖤 U.” The singer, still navigating the surreal ascent of her career, was taken aback by this permanent declaration of affection. “In my head, I was like, ‘Please don’t regret that’,” she recalls with a laugh, reflecting on the weight of such devotion. “It’s hard for me to process that somebody else has my name permanently on their skin. But, I mean, it’s just the ultimate honor to know that the music impacted them so greatly that they would do that.”
This intensely personal fan interaction arrived at a pivotal moment, amplifying the significance of her recent triumphs. Just six months prior to this heartfelt encounter, Gigi faced a career setback – being dropped by her record label while on a promotional trip in London. This abrupt change forced a return to her childhood home in Florida and a period of profound reassessment for the 24-year-old singer-songwriter. “I was free falling,” Gigi admits, describing the uncertainty of that period. “I had no income, I was back home, and I was starting to doubt myself.” However, amidst the uncertainty, a spark of determination ignited. “But I was like, ‘Let me just give myself a year to learn how to record and produce my own records. From there, if I need to get a job so I can still make music, I’ll do that.” This decision to take control of her artistic destiny set the stage for an unforeseen breakthrough. “And then everything happened…”
Image: Gigi Perez’s promotional image showcasing her approachable and genuine persona.
“Everything” indeed culminated in “Sailor Song,” a globally acclaimed hit single that emerged seemingly from nowhere. This poignant love ballad, inspired by an infatuation with someone resembling actress Anne Hathaway, unexpectedly exploded online in June, swiftly transitioning from digital virality to mainstream success. In the UK, “Sailor Song” ascended to the coveted number one spot, dethroning Sabrina Carpenter after a dominant nine-week reign. The track’s chart-topping success extended to Ireland and Latvia, and it secured top 10 positions across diverse territories, from New Zealand to Belgium, solidifying “Sailor Song Gigi” as a global phenomenon. “I knew the song was special to me,” Gigi reflects on the track’s intimate origins. “I just didn’t know it was going to be special to so many other people.” The realization of reaching number one was an emotional watershed moment. “I got out of the shower and just started crying,” Gigi shared in an interview with the UK’s Official Charts Company, underscoring the deeply personal resonance of this achievement.
This triumphant moment marks a satisfying culmination of a somewhat turbulent artistic genesis. Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, Gigi’s initial creative pursuits were in drama. However, she pivoted to music when she recognized the limitations of casting within the acting world. Self-taught on both piano and guitar, Gigi Perez rapidly ascended in the US streaming landscape with her independently released debut single, “Sometimes (Backwood),” in 2021. This early success attracted the attention of Interscope Records, leading to a record contract and an extraordinary opportunity to support Coldplay on their massive Music of the Spheres tour, even before headlining her own show.
Looking back, Gigi acknowledges that this initial surge of success created pressures to accelerate her career trajectory prematurely. For an extended period, she felt creatively “stuck and limited” by a perceived lack of artistic progression. “It was this cognitive dissonance where I’d get an amazing slot [on someone else’s tour] but didn’t know who’d be coming to the show,” Gigi explains, highlighting the disconnect between high-profile opportunities and building a dedicated fanbase. By the time her promotional commitments brought her to London in November, she had reached a point of creative and professional exhaustion. “I asked God, or the universe, ‘Open the doors that need to be opened and close the doors that need to be shut,'” she recounts, revealing a moment of seeking clarity and direction. “I knew it had to happen – but I was so terrified of what that meant.”
Image: Gigi Perez pictured with Coco Mendez, highlighting her collaborative spirit and connections within the music industry.
Interscope’s decision to release her from her contract two days later, while initially daunting, proved to be a catalyst for artistic renewal. Instead of signifying an end, this shift in circumstance liberated Gigi’s creative energies. She channeled this newfound freedom into songwriting and, crucially, into learning music production through online tutorials. This DIY approach became integral to the genesis of “Sailor Song.” The song emerged spontaneously in February. “I was on my bed, my door was open and I was just messing around, jamming,” Gigi describes the organic creation process. “My little sister walked by, and she was like, ‘Gigi, what was that?’ And I was like, ‘I have no idea, but I think it’s really cool.'” Unlike songs crafted through meticulous planning, “Sailor Song” flowed effortlessly. “There are times where I spend a lot of time thinking about a song and what I want to say. This was one of those times where it just blew out.”
After teasing the track on TikTok in April, “Sailor Song” was officially released in July and has since amassed over 340 million streams on Spotify alone as of November 20th. Its success is remarkable in several respects. The production aesthetic is deliberately lo-fi and homespun, contributing to its intimate feel. Gigi’s vocals possess an androgynous quality, leading some listeners to initially misinterpret the song’s lesbian love theme, adding another layer of intrigue to “Sailor Song Gigi.” However, the chorus’s infectious melody and evocative lyrics are undeniably captivating. “Kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor,” she sings, “And when you get a taste, can you tell me, what’s my flavour?” This blend of vulnerability and desire has resonated deeply with a vast audience.
In today’s polarized cultural landscape, even widespread success can attract criticism. In the US, some evangelical Christian groups voiced disapproval of “Sailor Song” due to the lyric: “I don’t believe in God, but you’re my saviour.” Gigi’s response, delivered via TikTok, was firm and unapologetic. “My songwriting is not a democracy,” she asserted, “and that applies to every artist’s work.” This defense of artistic autonomy further solidified her image as an authentic and uncompromising artist.
Image: Gigi Perez collaborating with Deanie Chen, showcasing her network and engagement within the music community.
Following the overwhelming success of “Sailor Song,” Gigi Perez secured a new record deal with Island Records, marking a significant step in her evolving career. Her lyrical explorations often delve into profound personal themes, including her complex relationship with faith. Her parents’ conversion to Christianity when she was young and the subsequent experience of attending a private religious school in Florida shaped her early life. “Growing up gay in an environment where you’re not allowed to be that was very taxing on me,” Gigi revealed in a 2022 interview on the Bringin’ It Backwards podcast, highlighting the challenges of reconciling her identity with her upbringing.
The sudden death of her older sister Celene in early 2020 profoundly impacted Gigi’s faith and worldview. This unimaginable loss destabilized her life and became a recurring theme in her music. In “Celene,” a song dedicated to her sister, she poignantly sings, “The other day, I thought of something funny/ But no-one would’ve laughed but you,” capturing the enduring presence of grief. Her latest release, “Fable,” continues to grapple with this loss, directly addressing those who offered superficial condolences and questioning the internal conflict of distancing herself from faith. “One of the hardest parts about my grief is that I didn’t have any music that touched on my life, on my situation, to get me through it,” she explains, highlighting the therapeutic motivation behind her songwriting. “And so I made it for myself. I’ve written tons of grief songs but, finally, in Fable, I said it in the way I always felt, from the very day I lost her, and I was so just relieved by the expression of it.”
This cathartic process of self-expression is central to Gigi Perez’s artistry. Ultimately, her deepest aspiration is for her music to reach and resonate with others navigating their own vulnerabilities. “One of my biggest wishes is to not let this experience that is so dark and isolating stay that way,” she concludes. “My hope is that there can be some way this [music] can help. And it’s amazing, because I’ve been seeing a lot of that. It’s been very healing for me.” With her capacity to connect with listeners on such a deeply emotional level, it’s highly likely that Gigi Perez will witness many more declarations of devotion, perhaps even more tattoos, as “Sailor Song” and her subsequent music continue to touch hearts worldwide.
