Few breakout songs arrive with this much momentum—Gigi Perez’s indie folk track “Sailor Song” hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom while sparking a viral debate when Christian creators demanded she rewrite a single lyric. She refused, explaining her songwriting was “not a democracy.” The song runs just over three and a half minutes, yet it has generated over 604,000 TikTok video uses and climbed to No. 9 on Spotify’s global chart. Here’s what the track is about, where it came from, and why it has resonated so deeply with young queer audiences.
Release Date: July 26, 2024 ·
Duration: 3:31 ·
Artist: Gigi Perez ·
Genre Theme: WLW (women-loving-women) ·
Platforms: YouTube, Spotify
Quick snapshot
- Whether “Perez” is a stage name or legal name
- Whether specific Miley Cyrus or Connor Jessup connections exist beyond fan speculation
- Production details for the official music video
- July 26, 2024 — Single release
- 2024 — Viral breakout period
- September 2024 — Signed with Island Records
- Post-release — The Tonight Show performance
- Expanded live tour presence following label backing
- Potential full album release under Island Records
- Continued cultural impact as an LGBTQ+ anthem
Key details about the viral hit are summarized below.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Artist | Gigi Perez |
| Release Date | July 26, 2024 |
| Song Length | 3 minutes 31 seconds |
| Label | Outtahere, LLC / Island |
| Theme | WLW queer longing |
| UK Chart Peak | No. 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | No. 22 |
| Spotify Global Peak | No. 9 |
| TikTok Usage | 604,000+ videos |
Is Sailor Song an LGBTQ song?
Yes—”Sailor Song” is widely recognized as a WLW (women-loving-women) anthem. The track centers on same-gender attraction and the emotional weight of unrequited love. According to Pink News, Perez described the song as one that “resonated” deeply with her young LGBTQ+ audience.
WLW themes in lyrics
The song’s opening line references Anne Hathaway—”I saw her in the rightest way, looking like Anne Hathaway”—establishing the romantic gaze immediately. The chorus contains the confessional lyric “I sleep so I can see you ’cause I hate to wait so long,” speaking directly to sapphic love and longing. Far Out Magazine notes that the song operates as a “siren song with meanings spiraling through forbidden/dangerous imagery connected to sin, religion, and historic homophobia.”
“I saw her in the rightest way, looking like Anne Hathaway”
“I don’t believe in God, but I believe that you’re my saviour”
“I sleep so I can see you ’cause I hate to wait so long”
— Lyrics from “Sailor Song” via Pink News
Artist’s perspective
Perez has been open about her identity as a Cuban-American lesbian from West Palm Beach, Florida, and she views representation as crucial. She told Billboard that representation gives people “the courage and the ability to dream that you can do whatever,” according to Holler. The song’s religious imagery—the lyric “I don’t believe in God, but I believe that you’re my saviour”—has been interpreted as directly addressing how certain religions chastise homosexuality.
Who originally sang the Sailor Song?
Gigi Perez is the original artist. “Sailor Song” was released as a single on July 26, 2024, making it her third independent track following her departure from Interscope Records. According to Remezcla, Perez had previously gone viral on TikTok with songs “Sometimes (Backwood)” and “Celene” (an ode to her older sister, who passed in 2020).
Gigi Perez as original artist
The track is entirely Perez’s creation—she wrote and performs it as an independent artist working under Outtahere, LLC. Her previous catalog includes the emotional tribute “Celene,” which honors her late sister, demonstrating her background in deeply personal songwriting before “Sailor Song” launched her to mainstream success.
No prior versions
There are no official earlier versions or covers by other artists. The official music video is available on YouTube, and the single is streamed on Spotify. Some TikTok performances and live renditions exist, but the original studio recording remains the primary release.
Perez had been dropped by Interscope Records before “Sailor Song” became successful, yet the track ultimately earned her a major-label deal with Island Records in July 2024.
Is it Gigi Perez singing in Sailor Song?
Yes. Gigi Perez is the vocalist. Her distinctive indie folk style is immediately recognizable in the recording, and she has performed the song live multiple times—most notably on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The official music video, available on YouTube, features her performing the track.
Official vocals confirmation
No guest vocalists are credited. The track runs 3:31 and carries Perez’s signature fingerstyle guitar work beneath her airy soprano delivery. Her voice appears unprocessed, matching the intimate, confessional tone of the lyrics.
Live performances
Perez has built a reputation for intimate live renditions on TikTok, where she often performs stripped-down versions before her iPhone camera. The Tonight Show appearance marked her mainstream television debut for the track. She has also opened for artists including Coldplay and Noah Cyrus, expanding her live audience before the viral breakout.
For listeners who discovered the track through TikTok covers or samples, the official version rewards attention—Perez’s vocal control and emotional delivery carry the song’s subtlety.
Is Gigi Perez her real name?
Perez’s public identity is “Gigi Perez.” It is unclear whether this is a legal name or a professional stage name. Her Wikipedia entry and major press coverage from Remezcla and Pink News refer to her simply as “Gigi Perez,” without clarifying whether it is a birth name.
Artist identity
What is established: she is a Cuban-American artist from West Palm Beach, Florida. She is openly lesbian and has been candid about her identity throughout her career. Her background as a Latina and queer woman shapes both her songwriting and her connection with audiences.
Background
Before “Sailor Song,” Perez had established a small but dedicated following through TikTok, gaining recognition for emotionally raw indie folk. She was dropped by Interscope Records before releasing the track, a label situation that preceded her independent release strategy and subsequent viral success.
Is the singer of Sailor Song male or female?
Gigi Perez is female. She is an openly lesbian singer-songwriter, and her vocal range throughout “Sailor Song” sits in the higher register consistent with her soprano delivery. Her identity as a queer woman is central to the song’s meaning and its resonance with WLW audiences.
Vocal style analysis
Perez’s voice carries a breathy, intimate quality—deliberate dynamics that enhance the confessional nature of the lyrics. The 3:31 runtime allows for sparse production choices that let her voice and the lyricism carry the emotional weight.
Gender confirmation
All verified sources confirm Gigi Perez as a female artist. Her openness about being a lesbian is documented across coverage from Remezcla, Pink News, and Far Out Magazine. The song’s WLW themes flow naturally from her lived experience.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Perez’s older sister Celene passes away | |
| Perez first goes viral on TikTok with “Sometimes (Backwood)” and “Celene” | |
| Perez is dropped by Interscope Records | |
| “Sailor Song” released on all platforms | |
| Third independent track post-departure from major label | |
| The Tonight Show performance | |
| Perez signs with Island Records |
The timeline above shows how quickly Perez moved from independent artist to mainstream success within months. For those interested in her discography, you can find a comprehensive list of Julie Graham movies and TV shows.
What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear
Confirmed
- Release date July 26, 2024
- Duration 3:31
- Gigi Perez is the vocalist and songwriter
- UK No. 1, US Hot 100 No. 22, Spotify Global No. 9
- 604,000+ TikTok video uses
- Cuban-American, openly lesbian, from West Palm Beach
- Island Records signing September 2024
- The Tonight Show performance confirmed
Unclear
- Whether “Perez” is a legal name or stage name
- Whether specific connections to Miley Cyrus or Connor Jessup exist beyond fan speculation
- Exact production details for the music video
- Whether the serpentine imagery has a specific autobiographical source
The contrast between confirmed achievements and open questions highlights the rapid pace at which Perez’s story has unfolded.
What Experts and Perez Herself Say
“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.”
— Gigi Perez, via Far Out Magazine
“The piece is written the way that it is for a reason, and I put it in there exactly as it was meant to be written.”
— Gigi Perez, via Far Out Magazine
“I’m not changing the lyrics to Sailor Song.”
— Gigi Perez, via Pink News
“It’s the thing that gives people the courage and the ability to dream that you can do whatever.”
— Gigi Perez, on representation, via Holler
The consistent message across these sources is that Perez views creative integrity as non-negotiable.
Right-wing Christian creators on TikTok posted passive-aggressive videos refusing to sing along to the God lyric, demanding Perez alter the lyrics. Perez has refused, and in live shows she emphasizes the controversial lyric as an act of defiance against censorship calls.
Where to Listen and Watch
Four platforms anchor the track’s availability:
- YouTube — Official music video
- Spotify — Full single
- Genius — Annotated lyrics
- TikTok — Perez’s own performance videos and user-generated content
Related reading: I Used to Pray for Times Like This – Meek Mill Lyrics, Meaning & Memes
Gigi Perez’s ‘Sailor Song’ topped UK charts amid lyric debates, fueled further by TikTok viral rise that turned it into a global indie hit.
Frequently asked questions
When was Gigi Perez Sailor Song released?
“Sailor Song” was released on July 26, 2024, as a single across all major streaming platforms.
What are the lyrics to Gigi Perez Sailor Song?
Key lyrics include the opening line “I saw her in the rightest way, looking like Anne Hathaway” and the chorus line “I don’t believe in God, but I believe that you’re my saviour.” Full lyrics are available on Genius.
Where can I download Gigi Perez Sailor Song?
The song is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. It is not available as a standalone paid download but can be accessed through premium streaming subscriptions.
What album features Gigi Perez Sailor Song?
“Sailor Song” was released as a standalone single and has not yet appeared on a full album. Following her September 2024 signing with Island Records, a debut album may follow.
Has Gigi Perez performed Sailor Song live?
Yes. Perez performed “Sailor Song” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and continues to perform it in live shows, often emphasizing the God lyric as a deliberate act of defiance against censorship.
What chords are used in Gigi Perez Sailor Song?
Fan-created chord charts are available on guitar tab websites. The song uses standard guitar tunings with fingerstyle technique. Exact chord progressions are community-generated and not officially published.
Is Sailor Song Gigi Perez’s first hit?
“Sailor Song” is her most commercially successful release, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It surpassed her earlier TikTok viral tracks “Sometimes (Backwood)” and “Celene” in mainstream impact.
Perez’s refusal to alter the “God” lyric crystallized something for a generation of young queer listeners who have watched artists cave to backlash before. She signed with Island Records in September 2024, proving the track’s commercial viability beyond the TikTok moment that birthed it. Whether or not she releases a full album, the question now for other LGBTQ+ artists and their audiences is simple: when an artist holds the line, what becomes possible next?
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Freya Bishop covers culture, lifestyle, society and human-interest reporting for UKBullet.uk.