Gibson Girl (song)

**"Gibson Girl"** is a song written and produced by Ethel Cain. It was released as the lead single from Cain's debut studio album, *Preacher's Daughter*, on March 17, 2022.

## Background

On March 17, 2022, Cain released this single, subsequently announcing her debut album *Preacher's Daughter*.

In June 2022, Ethel shared a demo version of the song with alternative lyrics. The last change to the track file was made in September 2021. On December 31, 2022, an instrumental and a capella of the song leaked.

## Writing and inspiration

The track is a reference to Charles Dana Gibson and the women he famously drew, examines sexuality and how patriarchal systems can lead to self-worth issues. Speaking on the song, Cain shares:

> “Being a woman is about never quite reaching a goal that someone else set for you. Under pressure to fit an impossible standard, I find myself daydreaming about what it would be like to be perfect in a way I can’t ever possibly achieve. I’ve always been in love with Evelyn Nesbit, the Gibson Girl, and thought she was the absolute pinnacle of feminine poise and grace. Whenever I start to lose myself and forget what I’m capable of, I just turn to her and she’s the greatest reminder.“
>
>

In an interview with *The Fader*, Ethel shared the personal story behind the song:

> “I think I was 21 when I wrote that song. It doesn’t take long to get tired of men wanting to have sex with you and ditch you. It’s very exhausting, and you think you’re alone, but then you realize that every woman on the planet goes through it at some point… treated like a piece of meat and chewed up and spit out. The fact that every woman goes through it doesn’t change the fact that it’s so cripplingly lonely to go through.
>
>

> I always thought that I was forward and dominant in sexual situations with men, and then I realized I’ve only ever been forward and dominant because I’d rather feel like it’s something I’m giving up than something being taken from me. I’ve always had this vision of being like this Gibson girl, this perfect vision of beauty with her hair done up and her waist cinched and her face perfectly flushed. She bats her eyes the right way and she drapes over the couch the right way. [But] in reality, they’re still getting what they want and I’m still sitting there completely alone and empty at the end of the day. I wanted that to translate into this story [of] her being used by these men and trying to establish even some false semblance of control.“
>
>

## Theme

The song balances a sultry and haunting atmosphere, sharing how Cain has now arrived in California with Isaiah, a character she met and became attracted to in the previous track. He begins to pimp her out in the back of strip clubs and feed her drugs regularly, resulting in her losing sense of reality.

## Official versions

* Album version — 5:42
	+ Instrumental version — 5:42
	+ A capella — 5:42
* Demo version — 5:13

## Lyrics

### Album version

[Verse 1]

You wanna love me right now

You wanna get alone with me

You wanna get my clothes off

And hurt me

You came alone to me

From however far away

Asking me to know how I know

You're all the same

[Pre-Chorus]

Black leather and dark glasses

Pouring another while I shake my ass

He's cold-blooded so it takes more time to bleed

Obsession with the money, addicted to the drugs

Says he's in love with my body, that's why he's fucking it up

And then he says to me

[Chorus]

"Baby, if it feels good

Then it can't be bad"

Where I can be immoral

In a stranger's lap

And if you want it good

Downright iconic

Something they all want

That only you can have

[Verse 2]

You wanna fuck me right now

You wanna see me on my knees

You wanna rip these clothes off

And hurt me

[Pre-Chorus]

And if you hate me

Please don't tell me

Just let the lights bleed

All over me

[Chorus]

If it feels good

Then it can't be bad

Where I can be immoral

In a stranger's lap

And if you want it good

Downright iconic

Then I would show you something

You can never have

[Instrumental Break]

And if it feels good

Then it can't be bad

Where I can be immoral

In a stranger's lap

And if you want it good

Downright iconic

Then I would show you something

You can never have

[Outro]

You wanna love me right now

You wanna love me right now

You wanna fuck me right now

You wanna—

You wanna love me right now

You wanna love me right now

You wanna fuck me, fuck me

You wanna love me, love me

You wanna—

### Demo version

[Verse]

Another place we songstress sluts fear

Where men are known to disappear

And it’s where he likes to spend his Friday nights

He says he’s got beats and you roll the lies

My preachers sniffing through a sea of his China white

He says “Go show ‘em a good time”

[Chorus]

And if it feels good

Then it can’t be bad

Where i can be immoral

In a stranger’s lap

And give it to him good -

Down right iconic

Something they all want but only you can have

[Instrumental]

[Chorus]

I can be immoral

And you can be my daddy

And if you want it good

Down right iconic

I can show you something that you wish you had

And If you want it

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/mothercain/status/1504306552353738754
2. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Ethelcain/comments/vaov29/preachers\_daughter\_original\_demos/
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/ethel-cain-preachers-daughter
4. ↑ https://www.clashmusic.com/news/ethel-cain-shares-new-song-gibson-girl/
5. ↑ https://www.thefader.com/2022/05/26/the-life-and-death-of-ethel-cain