KATSEYE Gabriela (2025)
KATSEYE Gabriela: The Hidden Story Behind The Viral Song
"KATSEYE - Gabriela" has taken social media by storm despite receiving mixed critical reviews since its release on June 20, 2025. The second single from the girl group's extended play "Beautiful Chaos" has amassed impressive engagement on TikTok, with videos reaching 4.5 million views and 365,600 likes on one post alone, while another garnered 2.4 million views and 97,100 likes.
Interestingly, before becoming one of katseye's standout songs, "Gabriela" was previously offered to established artists Anitta and Rita Ora, who both recorded versions back in 2018. While some critics note the song "trudges along" with "repetitive hooks", it has nonetheless achieved significant chart success. The track has reached top ten positions in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, additionally securing the 24th spot on the Billboard Global 200.
The story behind the release of 'Gabriela'
How the song was first offered to other artists
The journey of "KATSEYE - Gabriela" began long before the group recorded it. Originally written in 2019, the track was created for a potential collaboration between global pop stars Rita Ora and Anitta. Both artists actually recorded versions of the song in 2018, yet ultimately passed on releasing it. Subsequently, the demo circulated among different music companies until finding its home with HYBE x Geffen Records.
Katseye's announcement and teaser rollout
Following the announcement of their second EP "Beautiful Chaos" on May 7, 2025, KATSEYE revealed the EP's tracklist in late May, confirming "Gabriela" as one of five songs. On June 16, the group unveiled an intriguing 24-second teaser featuring Hollywood actress Jessica Alba. The visually striking preview showcased each member in dramatic solo shots reminiscent of 1990s telenovelas, with the hook "Hands off Gabriela" playing throughout.
Release timeline and EP context
"Gabriela" officially dropped on June 20, 2025, serving as the second single from "Beautiful Chaos" after "Gnarly". The EP itself was scheduled for release on June 27. Notably, the song features KATSEYE's first Spanish verse, performed by Daniela, a first-generation Latina American. Written by hitmakers Andrew Watt, John Ryan, Ali Tamposi, Charli XCX, and Sara Schell, the track made an immediate impact, debuting at No. 44 on Spotify's Daily chart with over 2 million streams.
Breaking down the lyrics and meaning
At its core, "KATSEYE - Gabriela" delves into the raw, complex emotions of jealousy and possessiveness. The song portrays a protagonist pleading with the alluring Gabriela to stay away from her partner.
Themes of jealousy and rivalry
The katseye gabriela lyrics paint Gabriela as irresistibly attractive with "skin amaretto" who "tastes just like the summer". This creates a fascinating dynamic where the narrator simultaneously admires and feels threatened by Gabriela. The repeated warning "Hands off, Gabriela" showcases the fierce protectiveness underlying the song's narrative. Essentially, the lyrics reveal not just jealousy but also the narrator's vulnerability and insecurity.
The Spanish bridge and its emotional impact
Daniela's Spanish-language bridge adds cultural depth and transforms the song's tone. With lines like "Él llegó conmigo y conmigo se va" (He came with me and with me he leaves) and "Sus ojos son mío" (His eyes are mine), the bridge shifts from pleading to assertive confidence. This pivotal moment reframes the narrative, converting vulnerability into strength.
Why fans call it a Gen-Z 'Jolene'
"Gabriela" has been widely described as "Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' for the new age" and "Gen Z's version of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'". However, unlike the purely pleading tone of "Jolene," KATSEYE's track carries "less pleading and a little more bite". In fact, the group has revealed the song also serves as commentary on how fans sometimes pit the members against each other.
Inside the production: Who made 'Gabriela'
The talented team behind "KATSEYE - Gabriela" brings together some of music's most sought-after hitmakers, ultimately creating a track that blends pop sensibilities with Latin influences.
Who wrote Katseye Gabriela
Five accomplished songwriters collaborated on the track, including pop maverick Charli XCX, veteran hitmakers Ali Tamposi and Andrew Watt (known as watt), alongside John Ryan and Sara Schell. This powerhouse writing team crafted lyrics that capture the tension in a love triangle with both dreamy and straightforward storytelling.
Producers and their previous work
Grammy-winning producers Andrew Watt and John Ryan took the helm for "Gabriela". Their expertise shaped the song's distinctive sound—a sophisticated blend of pop with Latin acoustic guitar elements that showcases KATSEYE's more mature vocal capabilities.
Recording and mixing locations
The production process culminated at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, where mixing expert Serban Ghenea finalized the track with assistance from Bryce Bordone. The mastering was handled by Mike Bozzi.
Instruments and vocal layering
"Gabriela" features rich instrumentation including bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, and drums. Vocally, the song demonstrates KATSEYE's cohesion as a group—each member performed harmonies on another member's lines, creating a united sound while preserving individual vocal identities. Daniela's Spanish section particularly "maximizes the emotional line of the song", adding depth to the track's narrative arc.
Chart success and global reception
"Gabriela" has steadily climbed charts worldwide, establishing KATSEYE's presence in global music markets through persistent popularity rather than immediate explosive success.
Top chart positions by country
"KATSEYE - Gabriela" achieved impressive rankings across multiple territories, reaching number 6 in Malaysia, number 6 in the Philippines, and number 5 in Singapore. The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Global 200, alongside securing the 42nd position on the UK Official Singles Chart. Throughout Europe, the track performed well, reaching number 34 in Belgium and number 21 in the Netherlands.
Fan voting and Billboard recognition
Music fans enthusiastically embraced "Gabriela," voting it their favorite new music release in a Billboard poll with an overwhelming 43% of the vote. This significant achievement placed KATSEYE ahead of established artists including Public Enemy (22%), Cardi B (16%), and Benson Boone (5%). Moreover, the song later re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 76 after KATSEYE's Lollapalooza performance, marking their highest position on the US chart.
Remixes and extended versions
On September 5, 2025, KATSEYE released "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS: The Remixes", featuring a reggaeton remix of "Gabriela" produced by JULiA LEWiS that incorporated dreamy sounds with reggae rhythms. The collection consequently included both extended and sped-up versions, specifically designed to strengthen their chart presence across digital platforms.
FAQS
Fans across social media have raised numerous questions about "KATSEYE - Gabriela" since its release. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about this viral hit.
What do KATSEYE members say about the meaning behind "Gabriela"?
According to Sophia, "It's a play on confidence and on competition, and it's just a play on narrow vision". Manon added an interesting perspective: "If your partner doesn't make you feel secure or makes you feel like you do need to worry about potential other Gabrielas or Gabrielos, maybe you are dating the Gabriela or Gabrielo".
Is the song commenting on fan behavior?
Indeed, Sophia explained: "We are playing into the whole thing where we're competing with each other because the [solo stans] are trying to pit us against each other all the time... We can't do our thing without the other person. It's six or nothing".
How does the group handle criticism of their music?
During interviews, members have addressed this directly. "We're always told by our team [that] if you're a trendsetter or if you have this influence, a lot of the things that you're going to bring into the world, people aren't going to understand from the beginning".
Do members' personal stories influence the song?
Altogether, yes. Sophia mentioned that fan reactions sometimes felt "like a knife in the heart", primarily influencing their approach to creating authentic music regardless of reception.
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