The parent and child relationship is ever-evolving, and the powerful new single “Big Girl” by John Beyer intimately explores the special bond between father and daughter. Written and co- produced by Beyer’s right-hand collaborator, Benjamin Hey!. The captivating track—from the New York-based John Beyer Music (JBM)—is a moving duet with talented singer Mia Gentile featuring additional production and musicianship from co-producer, Arthur Pingrey, who previously worked with the likes of Sia, Sting, and Willie Nelson.
Although “Big Girl” has contemporary adult and rock elements, the song marks the debut of a new genre created by Benjamin Hey!—”Drama Pop,” which he describes as musical storytelling with a flair for the dramatic. “With this song, what I realized about John and getting to know him as a singer, songwriter, and performer is that he has an inner actor,” says Hey! “So as a producer, I want to bring that out. We successfully got to do that with a previous single, “Revenge.” We really pushed the envelope of John’s dramatic side with that song. A whole new lane is being created for John with the “Drama Pop” genre.”
Immensely profound, “Big Girl” opens with Beyer, whose voice falls in the lower tenor baritone range, singing the emotionally charged lyrics: “Little girl |With auburn hair | Gave you the world |But you just don’t care| Eyerolls and looks of disgust| I’m your Dad |What happened to us?” Those lines set the stage for dynamic feelings as his daughter wants to grow up and follow her own path.
Reflecting on the song, Beyer says, “It’s about this father-daughter relationship, and it pulls at the heartstrings. You feel as if they are “characters in a play” because the song is so visual.” A competing desire for independence and the growing emotional distance between the family members continue with the hook, “Always wanted to be such a big girl…| You always wanted to be such a big girl…(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh),” evoking sentiments of nostalgia, yearning, and love.
Hey!, who was instrumental in shaping the track, shares additional insight into “Big Girl” and its impact. “The last lines [of the outro} I feel are so powerful. And I love the way that John and Mia emotionally exchange the lines, “You’ll always be my little girl,” and she says, “No, Daddy no…” It points out the struggle between parent and child. When you bring a child into the world, you’re always going to see them from that perspective.”
While “Big Girl” is a stand-alone single, Beyer and Hey! have plans to feature the song on afuture EP or debut album. The latest release adds to the growing and diverse catalog of (JBM) with other notable songs including “Powerless,” “Revenge,” and “Love You More,” all reflecting their mission to… “make music that moves you.”
“Big Girl” is available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Music, and will feature an original video directed by Benjamin Hey! starring John Beyer and Mia Gentile, debuting on October 4, 2024. Follow John Beyer Music on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with his music and latest releases.
