Jill Sobule, singer-songwriter behind groundbreaking ‘I Kissed a Woman’ and “Clueless ”soundtrack hit, dies at 66

Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind the trailblazing ode to queer love "I Kissed a Woman" and "Supermodel," the signature tune from the Clueless soundtrack, has died. She was 66.

Sobule died in a home hearth in Minneapolis on Thursday morning, her group famous in a press release shared with Leisure Weekly. She was scheduled to carry out songs from her Drama Desk-nominated musical F— seventh Grade on Friday at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in Denver; an off-the-cuff gathering will as a substitute be held in her honor. Followers are inspired to "be a part of their fellow Jill buddies and followers to share a narrative or tune."

"Jill Sobule was a power of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our tradition," Sobule's supervisor, John Porter, mentioned within the assertion. "I used to be having a lot enjoyable working along with her. I misplaced a shopper & a pal at the moment. I hope her music, reminiscence, & legacy proceed to stay on and encourage others."

Her longtime legal professional, Ken Hertz, shared, "Jill wasn't only a shopper. She was household to us. She confirmed up for each start, each birthday, and each vacation. She carried out at our daughter's wedding ceremony, and I used to be her 'tech' when she carried out by Zoom from our front room (whereas dwelling with us) throughout the pandemic."

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Born in Denver in 1959, Sobule launched her first album, Things Here Are Different, produced by the legendary Todd Rundgren, in 1990. It could take one other half-decade for the musician to achieve a foothold within the cultural consciousness. Her 1995, self-titled follow-up accommodates the 2 songs nonetheless largely thought of her signature hits, "I Kissed a Woman" and "Supermodel."

"I Kissed a Woman" playfully chronicles the flirty relationship between two girls and broke new floor by changing into one of many first explicitly queer songs to chart within the Billboard Prime 20. Sobule informed Leisure Weekly she didn't "really feel treasured" in regards to the tune when Katy Perry's personal tune of the identical title took over the pop charts in 2008, however admitted to getting "tons of e-mails from aggravated followers."

"Possibly I’ll write a 3rd 'I Kissed a Woman' for enjoyable…. Will probably be about how I kissed her, Ieft the boring boyfriend, acquired gay-married in California, and actually nobody gave a s—," she joked.

"Supermodel," which issues a younger lady's desires of trend fame, was initially written for inclusion within the soundtrack to the 1995 traditional comedy movie Clueless and was later collected on the album Jill Sobule. "Supermodel" breaking out as one of many major hits from the soundtrack was a feat, contemplating it performed alongside songs by artists like Beastie Boys, Radiohead, and Counting Crows.

Sobule launched eight extra studio albums, 5 EPs, two stay albums, and the compilation I By no means Realized to Swim: Jill Sobule 1990–2000.

Lately, she efficiently pivoted to musical theater, writing and performing within the autobiographical coming-of-age musical F— seventh Grade, which earned Sobule a Drama Desk nomination for Greatest Musical in 2023.

The unique forged recording of the musical is due out June 6, alongside a particular thirtieth anniversary model of her self-titled album.

A proper memorial celebrating Sobule might be held later this summer time. The musician is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule; nephews Ian, Matthew, and Robert; and a number of other cousins.

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