Jill Sobule: Remembering the Iconic Singer of ‘I Kissed a Girl’
Tragic Passing
Jill Sobule, renowned for her groundbreaking 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” has passed away at the age of 66. Reports from TheWrap confirmed that Sobule died in a house fire in Minneapolis on Thursday morning.
A Groundbreaking Artist
While not a household name for many, Sobule’s “I Kissed a Girl” was a pivotal song in music history. The track, sung from a woman’s perspective about her first same-sex kiss, is recognized as the first openly gay song to reach Billboard’s Top 20. Its lyrics, including phrases like, “I kissed a girl for the first time,” resonated deeply in a world still grappling with social acceptance.
The early 1990s influenced much of the song’s daring nature, as it emerged alongside significant cultural challenges, including the AIDS epidemic and restrictive military policies such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Sobule’s music video, featuring Fabio, added a playful yet bold touch amidst the serious conversations of the time.
Impact and Recognition
In 2009, the scene surrounding Sobule intensified when Katy Perry released a song with the same title. Sobule responded with a candid statement to The Rumpus, expressing her feelings with a mix of humor and frustration. She later clarified that her comments were jestful, welcoming a new generation’s recognition of the phrase “I Kissed a Girl.”
Throughout her nearly 40-year career, Sobule released eight studio albums, four EPs, and a greatest hits collection. In 2022, she further showcased her creativity with the autobiographical musical stage play “F**k 7th Grade,” which won a 2023 Drama Desk Award and received acclaim as a New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Legacy and Remembrance
Sobule was set to perform at Denver’s Swallow Hill Music’s Tuft Theater on Friday night, but instead, a remembrance gathering will honor her memory. John Porter, her manager, stated, “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and a human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. I lost a client and a friend today, and I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to inspire others.”