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Artist

Jill Sobule

Born Jill Susan Sobule on January 16, 1959, in Denver, Colorado, to a secular Jewish family—her father was a veterinarian, her mother a musician .She attended St. Mary’s Academy and later studied political science at... Read More

Lyrics by Jill Sobule

Albums by Jill Sobule

About "Jill Sobule"

Biography

Born Jill Susan Sobule on January 16, 1959, in Denver, Colorado, to a secular Jewish family—her father was a veterinarian, her mother a musician .She attended St. Mary’s Academy and later studied political science at the University of Colorado Boulder, spending a year in Sevilla, Spain—where she began performing live—before leaving college to pursue music.

  • 1990: Debuted with Things Here Are Different under MCA.

  • 1995: Breakthrough year with the self-titled album Jill Sobule, featuring the socially bold hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel” (featured in Clueless soundtrack) .

  • These singles achieved significant chart success—“I Kissed a Girl” reached #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on Alternative Airplay .

  • Known for her witty storytelling, Sobule tackled topics like queer identity, anorexia, and social issues throughout her career .

  • 1997–2000: Released Happy Town and Pink Pearl. The latter featured character-driven songs about complex social narratives 1.

  • Mid-2000s onward: Embraced independence through crowdfunding, releasing California Years (2009) and Nostalgia Kills (2018) .

  • 2022: Debuted her autobiographical musical Fck 7th Grade* Off-Broadway at the Wild Project, earning critical acclaim and a Drama Desk nomination.

 

Death & Legacy

  • Sobule tragically died in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, on May 1, 2025, at age 66. The cause of the fire remains under investigation .

  • Left behind 12 studio albums over 35 years, remembered as a cultural trailblazer, human rights advocate, and musical innovator .

  • Survived by her brother James, sister-in-law, nephews, and extended family .

  • Tributes described her as “a force of nature” and a beacon for queer artists—her creative spirit and bold storytelling continue to resonate .

  • Memorial and tribute performances have been planned, including an upcoming 30th-anniversary edition of her landmark album