Jill Sobule, best known for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” has passed away at age 59 following a performance at the Minnesota House concert series. Sobule’s passing marks the loss of not just a chart-topping singer-songwriter, but a fiercely independent artist whose work bridged pop hooks, sharp wit, and vulnerable storytelling.
While “I Kissed a Girl” became her mainstream breakthrough — famously predating Katy Perry’s song of the same name by more than a decade — Sobule’s career was never defined by that one moment. Her catalog is a sprawling, genre-blending body of work that touches on everything from politics and heartbreak to religion, mental health, and social satire. She wrote songs that could make you laugh, cry, and then think twice — sometimes all within the same verse.
What set Sobule apart was her authenticity. She was an artist who maintained an independent spirit long after her brush with major-label fame, often touring solo with just a guitar and an arsenal of razor-sharp, human songs. She built a deep connection with her audience, crowdfunding albums before it became a music-industry norm, and championing causes she cared about.
Sobule was also part of a generation of artists who blurred the lines between pop, folk, and alternative music, influencing countless singer-songwriters who followed. Her work resonated with LGBTQ+ audiences, outsiders, and anyone who found comfort in art that spoke to being fully, messily human.
For the GAJOOB community, which has always championed DIY musicians and voices outside the mainstream, Sobule’s passing hits especially hard. She was the kind of artist who kept going, kept evolving, and kept creating, whether or not the spotlight was on her.
As news of her death spreads, tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow musicians alike, remembering her as a singular voice — witty, brave, and endlessly curious.
You can read more about Jill Sobule’s life and legacy here:
Rest in music, Jill. You’ll be missed, but your songs live on.
