Dublin’s Pillow Queens have returned with a defiant new single, “Be A Big Girl,” a track that challenges the societal urge to shrink. The song is a raw reclamation of strength, refusing to allow vulnerability to be sacrificed for a sense of composure. Produced and mixed by Daniel Fox, the new single was released independently via Pillow Queen Records.
The band subverts the traditional meaning of the phrase “be a big girl,” which is often used as shorthand for suppressing emotions. Instead, Pillow Queens redefine it as a call to action, where screaming, crying, fighting, and standing your ground are all part of being a big girl. The song explores the tension between exhaustion and persistence, embracing the power that comes from simply enduring and taking up space in a world that often tells you there is none.
The band explain,
I think people expect ‘being a big girl’ to mean keeping your chin up, not making a fuss, and politely ignoring the fact you’re being shoved towards the door. For us, it’s the opposite. It’s staying exactly where you are when you’re told to leave, making a fuss, and taking up more space in the process. Living in Ireland, making music here, and not hopping on the first flight out is already an act of stubborn optimism. And yeah, sometimes you’re crying in Lidl or planning a better life in Australia, but at least you’re still standing. That’s the kind of ‘big girl’ we’re interested in being.
The new track arrives during a period of creative transformation for the band, as founding members Cathy Mc Guinness, Sarah Corcoran, and Pamela Connolly have sharpened their focus. With three acclaimed albums, In Waiting (2020), Leave the Light On (2022), and Name Your Sorrow (2024), Pillow Queens have built a reputation for their emotional depth and anthemic power, solidifying their status as a compelling live act.
