Gayle, a 17-year-old TikTok celebrity, launches an F-bomb diatribe against a shady ex in her viral hit “abcdefu,” saying, “F—k you and your buddies that I’ll never see again/Everybody but your dog, you can all f—k off.”
She was concerned, though, that her foul-mouthed tirade would irritate her grandmother. “I was very terrified when I played that song for my grandmother,” Gayle told The Washington Post. “And, you know, mom told me that when I was 17, I got to say all the things she could never say.” And that put things in a whole new light [about] a woman being openly upset at a male.”
“abcdefu” has become a cathartic, freeing anthem for fed-up young ladies everywhere after receiving Grandma’s blessing. The pop-punk tune debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, generating excitement for Gayle’s debut EP, “A Study of the Human Experience Volume One,” which will be released on March 18. And only a few days later, on March 21 and 22, the Dallas-born, Nashville-based singer — whose full name is Taylor Gayle Rutherford — will perform two sold-out gigs at Mercury Lounge.
With her viral tune “abcdefu,” she has reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Gayle’s pent-up feelings following a real-life separation sparked the fierce wrath in “abcdefu.” “I was in a relationship where I never allowed myself to be furious. “Even if they treated me badly, I would ignore it and focus on the positive aspects because I was committed to that person,” she explained. “And then we split up, and I tried extremely hard to be friends with him after that.” I felt we’d arrived at a good location.”
Gayle, on the other hand, was done being nice after learning that her ex was “saying s—t about me.”
“I was enraged,” she said. “It all came out at the same time.” And it was kind of like, ‘F—k you, and your mother, and your sister, and your job,’ or something along those lines. Because there are a lot of things I’ve never told him I despise… “Everything was up in the air.”
On March 21 and 22, Gayle will perform two sold-out gigs at Mercury Lounge.
Gayle grew up listening to CeeLo Green’s 2010 song “F—k You” — or at least the restricted version of “Forget You.” She remarked, “I genuinely recall wanting to sing the song for a talent contest.” “I was probably around 9 or 10 years old.” ‘No! You can’t do that!’ my mother exclaimed. But when it came to ‘abc,’ I wasn’t really thinking about that song.”
Gayle’s childhood hero was the Queen of Soul, even though she started out performing country music. “Aretha Franklin was the lady who first inspired me to pursue music,” she remarked. “I [found] her when I was approximately 7, and I was instantly fascinated.” I mean, I really adored her spirit.”
Gayle later discovered female rockers Joan Jett and Courtney Love, but it was another inspirational woman, hit-making songwriter and former “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi, who would play a key role in her growth.
“Without her, I wouldn’t be the writer I am,” Gayle remarked. “She has mentored me and my songwriting, and she has truly inspired me to go deeper and be more vulnerable in my songs, and to fight for my craft… It was fantastic to have a strong, kickass lady assisting and inspiring me.”
Kara DioGuardi, a hit-making lyricist and former “American Idol” judge, has been her coach.
Gayle is now part of a new generation of young female singers, including Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, who are outspoken about everything from mental health to sex, a subject she discusses in her new tune “ur just horny.”
“It’s just the reality of adolescence,” she explained. “It makes individuals feel less alone when they admit it.”
Gayle, who graduated from high school in 2020, is unconcerned about her “abcdefu” becoming a negative impact on some students.