At just 25, , or Marie Ulven Ringheim, is a rising star in indie pop. She’s also a strong voice for the LGBTQ+ community1. Born on February 16, 1999, she has touched hearts worldwide with her honest songs. These songs talk about love, mental health, and being queer.
Her debut album, “If I Could Make It Go Quiet,” came out in 2021. It won three Norwegian Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year1. Her music has found a special place in the hearts of many, especially in the LGBTQ+ community2.
‘s music is known for its dreamy sound and honest lyrics. She has over 1.7 million followers on TikTok3 and nearly 10 million listeners on Spotify3. Her song “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” was a top pick for 2018 by The New York Times3.
At the core of ‘s success is her true self and her music. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+, she celebrates queer identity. Her music promotes inclusivity, touching the hearts of many fans2.
Introducing Marie Ulven: The Artist Behind “girl in red”
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Marie Ulven Ringheim, known as “girl in red,” was born in 1999 in Horten, Norway4. She grew up in a peaceful town. There, she found joy in music, teaching herself to play guitar, piano, and produce music in her room4.
Ulven’s love for music started when she got her first guitar in 20124. She had thought about being a teacher. But, indie and alternative music, especially from “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” made her choose music4.
“I know that I’m not going to be a teacher. I can’t do that. That’s not for me. I need to do music.” – Marie Ulven4
Ulven’s music career began with her first two EPs, “chapter 1” in 2018 and “chapter 2” in 20194. These EPs were known for their emotional and lo-fi sound. They were recorded at home, showing Ulven’s talent and vulnerability4.
“I’m just trying to write songs that I would want to listen to.”
– Marie Ulven
Ulven’s music became popular, and she became a symbol of gay female love and LGBTQ+ identity in music4. Her connection with young fans, especially on TikTok, made her a big name in indie pop4.
The Rise of “girl in red” and Her Queer Anthems
Norwegian indie-pop artist Marie Ulven, known as “girl in red,” has become a key voice for LGBTQ+ music. Ulven’s debut single “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” quickly won fans online, especially in the queer community5. Her songs, like “We Fell in Love in October,” have made her a symbol of queer music5.
Ulven’s music is known for its emotional depth and obsessive lyrics5. Her debut EP, “Chapter 1,” is all about love and obsession in short, direct songs5. She prefers making music in her bedroom, keeping her work personal and intimate5.
Girl in red’s music has deeply connected with her queer fans6. Ulven is also praised for talking openly about mental health in her songs6. Her debut album, “If I Could Make It Go Quiet,” tackles mental health and intrusive thoughts, showing her authenticity6.
Girl in red keeps winning hearts with her honest songs and dedication to LGBTQ+ music. She’s a rising star in indie-pop and a trailblazer for queer artists56.
“Do You Listen to girl in red?”: The Viral TikTok Phenomenon
In 2020, “Do you listen to girl in red?” became a big deal on TikTok. It was a secret way for Gen Z to ask if someone was queer7. This question, about the lesbian artist girl in red, became a joke and a secret sign in the LGBTQ+ community7.
Users would flash sapphic signals to answer the question7.
The Code Phrase That Swept Gen Z
The phrase “Do you listen to girl in red?” showed how important queer representation is. It was a way for people to find others like them, especially where LGBTQ+ visibility is low8. TikTok, popular with Gen Z, helped make queer visibility more common8.
Using coded language, like asking about girl in red, helps queer femmes find each other on TikTok.8 This way of signaling identity has been key for LGBTQ+ people to stay safe8.
The “Do you listen to girl in red?” question on TikTok shows the app’s role in creating safe spaces for queers8. It also highlights the need for real LGBTQ+ representation in media9. Girl in red’s music has captured Gen Z’s hearts, proving the strength of queer coding and the LGBTQ+ community9.
“Over three years since its initial release, the song ‘We Fell in Love in October’ by Girl in Red reached viral status on TikTok, becoming a cultural phenomenon and a signifier for queer women globally.”9
Critically Acclaimed Debut Album: “If I Could Make It Go Quiet”
In April 2021, girl in red released her debut studio album, “If I Could Make It Go Quiet,” to great acclaim10. Produced by Finneas, the album mixes indie pop, R&B, new wave, and punk10. It explores Ulven’s mental health struggles, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.
Tracks like “Serotonin” share these personal battles with raw honesty. This makes “If I Could Make It Go Quiet” a powerful and relatable album.
The album “If I Could Make It Go Quiet” by Girl in Red came out on 30 April 202110. It has 11 tracks, lasting 33 minutes and 9 seconds10. Six singles were released, with “Midnight Love,” “Rue,” and “Serotonin” being the first three10.
It received an average score of 77 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 14 reviews10. Critics praised it as a mix of indie pop, indie rock, and pop, with hints of synth-pop, R&B, new wave, rap, and piano balladry10.
girl in red’s debut single “i wanna be your girlfriend” was uploaded in 201811. Her debut album “if i could make it go quiet” was released when she was 2211. The album has a simple credits list, with girl in red writing and co-producing all tracks with Matias Téllez11. Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, handled the production11.
“Serotonin” is the shortest track at 3 minutes and 2 seconds, while “.” is the second shortest at 2 minutes and 46 seconds.10 The album is seen as an uneven listen but a strong statement of conviction, showing great promise11.
The album has charted in several European countries and Australia. It reached number 10 on the Australian Albums (ARIA) chart, number 8 on the US Independent Albums (Billboard), and number 11 on the US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)1011.
The Candid Artistry of “girl in red”
Honesty and Humor in Songwriting
Marie Ulven, known as “girl in red,” has won fans with her honest and funny songs. Her music stands out because she talks openly about tough topics like heartbreak and mental health. This honesty connects with many people12.
Her song “Serotonin” is loved for tackling mental health issues like OCD13. Ulven’s honest words help people understand and feel less alone. This is especially true for the LGBTQ+ community that loves her music13.
Ulven also shares funny and personal stories on social media12. She mixes serious and light moments, making her relatable and engaging. Her openness invites fans to share their own stories too.
“My music is an extension of myself. I just want to make art that is honest and helps people feel less alone.”
Ulven keeps making music that is true to herself12. Fans look forward to her next projects, knowing they’ll get honest and funny looks into life.
Queer Representation and the Future of LGBTQ+ Visibility
girl in red, a well-known queer artist, has helped make LGBTQ+ identity more normal and celebrated, especially among the young14. Marie Ulven, the musician behind girl in red, is hopeful about the future of queer representation. She believes that one day, coming out won’t be needed because society will be more accepting15. Her music and the “Do you listen to girl in red?” trend on TikTok have created a sense of community and validation for LGBTQ+ people, offering a powerful platform for queer voices.
The music world and mainstream culture have changed a lot in recent years, focusing more on LGBTQ+ representation and visibility16. Pioneers like Tracey Chapman and Queen Latifah have shown the way, openly sharing their identities and inspiring many14. Artists like Hayley Kiyoko, known as the “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans, have also boosted queer stories and presence in music.
Ulven’s work shows the power of true, unapologetic queer expression14. LGBTQ+ visibility in music is seen as a way to support the community and provide much-needed representation for queer individuals15. With more LGBTQ+ people, especially in Gen Z, the future of queer representation looks bright, leading to a more inclusive and accepting world.
Source Links
- Girl in Red – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_in_Red
- Girl In Red is indie pop’s new voice for the queer generation – https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/girl-in-red-is-indie-pops-new-voice-for-the-queer-generation/
- Girl in Red: ‘If my songs can normalise queerness, that’s amazing’ – https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/22/girl-in-red-interview-if-my-songs-can-normalise-queerness-thats-amazing
- The Clear-Eyed Songs of Girl in Red – https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/17/the-clear-eyed-songs-of-girl-in-red
- A teenage queer icon for queer teenagers, Marie Ulven is breaking out of the bedroom as girl in red. – https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/on-the-rise-girl-in-red
- Marie Ulven, ‘Girl In Red,’ Talks Fame, Sexuality And Her New Album – https://www.npr.org/2021/05/02/992846107/marie-ulven-talks-tiktok-fame-sexuality-and-her-new-album
- (Title) – https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstreams/87874e63-51cf-436d-aad3-f0d3323c11b3/download
- Do you listen to girl in red? : Femme queerness on TikTok – https://www.michigandaily.com/statement/do-you-listen-to-girl-in-red-femme-queerness-on-tiktok/
- Girl in Red is The Musician Soundtracking Our Queer Love Stories – BRICKS Magazine – https://bricksmagazine.co.uk/2021/10/04/girl-in-red-is-the-musician-soundtracking-our-queer-love-stories/
- If I Could Make It Go Quiet – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_Could_Make_It_Go_Quiet
- girl in red: if i could make it go quiet – https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/girl-in-red-if-i-could-make-it-go-quiet/
- Girl in red: “Music is now just being demanded as entertainment in a different way” | Interview – https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/girl-in-red-is-growing-up
- Girl In Red: ‘I’m a genre-free artist. Open to everything’ – https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56040643
- “Oh, She Listens to Girl in Red” – https://mediatedpop.wordpress.com/2020/09/24/oh-she-listens-to-girl-in-red/
- Gen Z Is Paving the Way for the Future of LGBTQIA+ Americans – https://sjhexpress.com/opinion/2022/01/23/gen-z-is-paving-the-way-for-the-future-of-lgbtqia-americans/
- The Past, Present, And Precarious Future Of LGBT Media – https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/trishbendix/future-of-lgbt-media-out-advocate-autostraddle-into-grindr
