Gatlin Celebrates Queer Identity and Self-Acceptance in New Single “If She Was A Boy”
Fresh off signing to Dualtone Records, Gatlin offers up her latest single “If She Was A Boy,” to fans. The song is an indie-pop classic, chronicling Gatlin's experiences growing up queer in her religious and conservative Florida town.
Gatlin shared the story behind “If She Was A Boy” on Instagram writing “I wrote ‘If She Was A Boy’ from my perspective at 19 years old when I had my first feelings for a girl. I grew up very religious in Florida so I kept praying for God to not make me this way. Now I’m 26. I LOVE who I am and who I get to love.” The lyrics of the song highlight Gatlin’s religious upbringing as she sings “I do my time and pray it all away” in the first verse and in the chorus when she sings “If I was born another time another state / Would I be torn between someone you love and someone you tolerate / I’m too afraid of what you think and who’s above / But if she was a boy / I’d be in love / I’d be in love.”
Despite the single’s serious subject matter, sonically “If She Was A Boy” is bright and groovy. Bass, synths, and drums create a light soundscape to contrast the feeling of fear that is present in the lyrics. The lyrics are clearly 19 year old Gatlin, terrified of her feelings, but the music is clearly 26 year old Gatlin, proud of who she is and who she loves. The accompanying music video for “If She Was A Boy” features Gatlin and her crush, both clad in white dresses, spending an afternoon under the sun, not far outside of Gatlin’s hometown. They lay on a blanket together, eat strawberries, and swim in crystal clear water. The video perfectly captures the message of the song as the two women have an air of freedom, hidden away in the forest, but still there is the underlying feeling of hesitation that is mentioned in the song’s lyrics.
