Everything seems to be going well for Gigi Perez.
The American alternative folk singer reached the top 25 of the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 with her viral track “Sailor Song” at #21 this week (October 19). The lesbian love song that practically burns with intensity caught fire on TikTok before the full version was even available.
Released on July 26, “Sailor Song” debuted on the Canadian chart Hot 100 from August 10 to 98th place, three weeks before its entry into the American ranking Hot 100. The song also climbed higher in Canada than in the United States, where it currently sits at #33. Could she continue to climb into the top 20 or top 10 in the coming weeks?
Perez’s spacious folk sound and catchy chorus — particularly the song’s central lyric, “kiss me on the mouth / and love me like a sailor” — resonated with listeners in a year where songs folk and sapphics are doing well in the rankings.
“Sailor Song” was released independently and has since landed Perez a contract with the record label Island Records. She recently spoken to Billboard of his writing and recording process and how queer music can inspire younger generations.
In the week that Shaboozey broke the record for longest run at #1 in Canada, reaching 20 weeks at the top with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, there are also some notable new entries on the Canadian Hot 100 .
Web personality and professional boxer KSI debuted at No. 49 with “The Thick of It” featuring Trippie Redd. The track brings together several trendy genres, mixing hip-hop with a folk acoustic guitar riff.
Two country singers also debuted on the charts this week. Zach Top entered the Canadian Hot 100 with “I Never Lie” at #79, while in the Billboard Canadian Albums ChartNate Smith launched his album California Gold in 45th place. That album features a duet with Avril Lavigne, but it’s her song with Alesso, “I Like It,” that re-entered the Canadian Hot 100 this week at number 90.
Canadian artists also maintain their place in the rankings Canadian Hot 100 this week. The Weeknd’s “Timeless” fell six spots to No. 10 and Tate McRae’s “It’s Ok I’m Ok” fell one spot to No. 25. Josh Ross also fell one spot to #61 with “Single Again” and Shawn Mendes moved up four spots to #63 with “Why Why Why.” Devon Cole moves up from #84 to #80 with “I Got You” and Jamie Fine moves up one spot to #84 with “You’re Like.”
Consult the weekly Canadian rankings Hot 100 and Canadian albums here.
