ABOUT THE SONG:

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Gabrielle Vaughn is not the kind of artist to shy away from vulnerability—and her latest release, “Same DNA,” proves that you can be fierce, emotional, and unflinchingly honest all at once.

The song explores the complex and heartbreaking reality of watching someone you love struggle with addiction, a topic Vaughn knows intimately. Reflecting on its origin, she shares, “It’s the hardest song I’ve ever written—and the hardest to let go of. It’s born from the fractures of my relationship with my dad, who’s battled alcohol addiction for most of my life.”

From the very first notes, a melancholy synth pulls you into the raw emotional landscape of Vaughn’s inner world. She masterfully blends pop and rock, layering haunting instrumentals beneath her soulful, cutting vocals. Every word feels deliberate—nothing is held back. By the time she reaches the hook, the emotion becomes undeniable:

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 “Why don’t you twist the knife a little harder,
push my head under the water,
make me feel like this was all my fault,
hurts twice as much ‘cause I’m your daughter,
remind you too much of my mother.”

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It’s both an internal reckoning and an external confrontation—an unfiltered window into grief and resilience. Ebbing and flowing with intensity, never loosening its emotional grip. As it crescendos toward the final moments, you feel the weight of everything Vaughn’s carried.

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She explains, “Addiction doesn’t just haunt a person, but echoes through generations. When those demons are in your bloodline, it’s hard not to wonder if they’re in you, too.”

“Same DNA” isn’t just a song—it’s a catharsis. For Vaughn, it’s a way to process pain. For listeners, it’s a reminder that they’re not alone. “You are not your family’s mistakes. You are still enough. You always were,” she says—and in doing so, she offers the kind of reassurance that so many need but rarely hear. Reminding us that even the most painful stories can be told with strength and beauty.