You're listening to Song Exploder, where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made.

I'm Rishi Kesh Hirwe.

This episode contains explicit language.

Gigi Perez is a singer and songwriter from Florida, and at 25 years old, she's already had so many ups and downs in her

music career. She started sharing her songs on TikTok, where they got enough attention that she got

signed to a major label deal, but that ultimately didn't pan out. Soon after that, as an independent

artist again, she had her biggest breakout hit with Sailor Song. She released it in July 2024, and it went viral on TikTok.

Now, it has over a billion streams on Spotify alone, and it's part of her new album, which came

out in April 2025. In this episode, you'll hear how the song evolved from her first voice

memo to the final version, which she recorded in her childhood bedroom.

I talked to Gigi about how Sailor's song came about

and about all the different parts of herself

that she put into it, her faith, grief, desire, and more.

Want to kiss me on the mouth and love me like the sailor?

And when you get it taste, can you tell me what's my flavor?

I don't believe in God, but I believe that you're my savior.

My mom says that she's worried, but I'm covered in this favor.

And when we're getting dirty, I forget all that is wrong.

I sleep so I can see you because I hate to eat so long.

Sleep so I can see you and I hate to it so long.

My name is Gigi Perez.

I grew up in the church and the whole nine yards of it.

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