Kim Gordon Drops 'BYE BYE 25!' Featuring Words Banned by Trump

Explore Kim Gordon's bold new track ‘BYE BYE 25!’ packed with words banned under Trump’s administration, blending music and political statements powerfully.

Kim Gordon’s Bold New Track: ‘BYE BYE 25!’

Kim Gordon, the legendary Sonic Youth icon and solo artist, has unleashed a fresh version of her track titled ‘BYE BYE 25!’. This reimagined song is a remake of ‘BYE BYE’ from her 2024 solo album The Collective, but with an edgy twist—it incorporates words that were banned by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration famously attempted to cleanse federal agencies’ language of certain “woke” terms. This track boldly highlights terms like “advocate,” “climate change,” “female,” “Hispanic,” and “immigrants”—words that were reportedly removed or discouraged in official documents.

"Justin Raisen, my producer and collaborator, suggested redoing ‘Bye Bye’ starting from the end of the song," Gordon explained. "When I was brainstorming lyric ideas, I thought about using words from a list that Trump banned. It’s crazy—any grant or research project including these words was often dismissed outright. I guess Trump really does believe in cancel culture because he’s literally trying to cancel culture."

Political Protest Through Music

This release isn’t just a song—it’s a form of protest. Gordon timed ‘BYE BYE 25!’ to drop ahead of the nationwide “No Kings” protests against Trump scheduled for June 14. What makes this track even more impactful is that all proceeds from sales and related merchandise will benefit Noise for Now, a nonprofit advocating reproductive rights.

You can listen to BYE BYE 25! right here:

Listen to Kim Gordon’s ‘BYE BYE 25!’

Kim Gordon’s Thoughts on Trump and Capitalism

Back in 2019, Kim Gordon shared her views on Trump, capitalism, and the future of society during an interview. Reflecting on her debut solo album No Home Record, she said:

“The message of the record is that the end of capitalism is coming and that Trump is going to be the person who drives it into the ground. I remember when the Berlin Wall came down and this general feeling in the Western World was that Communism didn’t work and that this proves it. What came out of it was just lots of corruption, and we’re just that way already with lots of corruption.”

When asked if Trump symbolizes capitalism at its most bloated, Gordon responded with a laugh, “Totally, yeah – but he’s also not good at it! Which is funny.”

A Unique Collaboration: Kim Gordon and Kim Deal

Earlier this year, Gordon joined forces with Kim Deal, bassist and vocalist famously known for her work in The Breeders and Pixies, for a special performance. Their first-ever live collaboration took place on Netflix’s talk show Everybody’s Live, hosted by comedian John Mulaney.

Gordon opened with her song ‘Bye Bye’ from The Collective, while Deal followed with her solo track ‘Nobody Loves You More’. Together, they performed Sonic Youth’s ‘Little Trouble Girl’—a track from the band’s 1995 album Washing Machine.

This was a rare moment since Deal had never performed live with Sonic Youth before their 2011 split, although she had appeared in the music video for ‘Little Trouble Girl’.

Why ‘BYE BYE 25!’ Matters

Kim Gordon’s BYE BYE 25! is more than just a song—it's a statement. By resurrecting banned words and placing them front and center in her lyrics, she challenges attempts to suppress dialogue around important social and political issues. The fusion of art and activism here is undeniable, and the song’s timing with nationwide protests underscores its significance.

What’s your take on how artists use music to address political censorship? Could music be a powerful tool for resisting cultural bans?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What inspired Kim Gordon to create ‘BYE BYE 25!’?
  Kim was inspired by a list of words banned by the Trump administration and wanted to highlight censorship by including those words in her remake of ‘BYE BYE’.
• What words are banned in the song?
  Words like “advocate,” “climate change,” “female,” “Hispanic,” and “immigrants” are incorporated into the lyrics, reflecting terms restricted in government communications.
• Where do proceeds from the song go?
  All proceeds from the track and its merchandise support Noise for Now, a nonprofit dedicated to reproductive rights.
• Has Kim Gordon spoken about politics before?
  Yes, she has openly discussed her views on Trump and capitalism, notably in interviews relating to her debut album No Home Record.
• Did Kim Gordon collaborate with other musicians recently?
  Earlier this year, she performed with Kim Deal live for the first time, including a joint rendition of Sonic Youth’s ‘Little Trouble Girl’.

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