Gatlin Teases Debut Album with Latest Single “Jesus Christ and Country Clubs”

Earlier this year, rising indie star Gatlin released “If She Was A Boy,” a song inspired by a line she found in her journal from her time living in her conservative Florida hometown. Gatlin is continuing to reflect on her time growing up queer in the South in her latest single “Jesus Christ and Country Clubs.”

Speaking on the song Gatlin shared, “I played a part for so many years growing up and when I finally left Florida I really got to discover who I am...and parts of who I am are rejected by my community and family. This track is about not being able to fit in where I grew up, and not wanting to."

The lyrics of the song highlight Gatlin’s struggles growing up queer in her hometown. The song’s final chorus features the lyrics “Jesus Christ I’m so fucked up / I’m going to hell cause girls are fun / Mother hates what I’ve become / I’m going nowhere / Where, where / I’m going nowhere.” While the song’s lyrics are on the somber side, the instrumentation feels like the side of Gatlin that doesn’t want to fit in with her hometown. Full of drums and guitars, and the occasional synth, the instrumentation feels like Gatlin liberating herself from the expectations that were placed on her. The instrumentation combined with the candid lyrics, results in a defiant and proud middle finger to those that don’t accept her for who she is.

The music video for “Jesus Christ and Country Clubs” features Gatlin's alter ego, Miss. Amanda Grace Anne, the version of Gatlin that would exist if she never had the chance to leave Florida and explore who she is. In the video, Miss. Amanda Grace Anne is seen in her bedroom, reading her bible, but later it’s revealed that a magazine featuring pictures of women in lingerie is hidden inside the bible and that’s what she’s actually reading. Miss. Amanda Grace Anne is also seen with rollers in her hair, clutching to a bottle of wine, driving around in a golf cart, and in a pink bathing suit walking by the pool and soaking in the hot tub. The final shot of the video features Miss. Amanda Grace Anne face down in the pool, reminiscent of Jay Gatsby at the end of The Great Gatsby.

The single comes alongside the announcement of her debut album, The Eldest Daughter, out on October 3rd. Ahead of the album’s release, Gatlin will be hitting the road providing support for Noah Floersch’s “Somethin’ Bout A Tour.”