It started as a snippet. A few seconds of a song uploaded to TikTok and suddenly, everyone was asking about the same line: I don't know if it's the wine or the coke. It’s raw. It’s messy. It captures that specific, hazy crossover point of a night where things are starting to blur, and you aren't quite sure which substance is doing the heavy lifting for your current mood.
Music moves fast now. A song can become a "sound" before it even becomes a full track on Spotify. That’s exactly what happened here. People weren't just listening to a melody; they were projecting their own chaotic weekends onto a single sentence.
Who is Behind the Viral Hit?
The track is actually titled "Wine or the Coke" (or sometimes "Wine & Coke") and it comes from the artist Gigi Perez. If the name sounds familiar, it's because she’s been bubbling under the surface of the indie-pop and folk-fused scene for a minute now. She has this way of writing that feels like a gut punch delivered with a very soft glove.
Honestly, the way this song blew up is a case study in modern music marketing. You don't need a massive label budget if you have a lyric that hits a nerve. This particular line works because it’s a confession. It isn't glamorizing the lifestyle in a shiny, Hollywood way; it’s more of a "I’m in the middle of this and I’m a bit lost" vibe.
Gigi's vocals carry this specific rasp. It’s evocative. When she sings about the confusion of the substances, it feels grounded in a real moment. It’s not just about the party. It’s about the person you’re with—or the person you’re trying to forget—while the wine and the coke are competing for your attention.
Why This Specific Lyric Stuck
Lyrics about drugs and alcohol are a dime a dozen. Seriously. You can’t throw a rock in a Top 40 chart without hitting a reference to Hennessy or something else. So why did I don't know if it's the wine or the coke specifically trigger such a massive reaction?
It’s the indecision.
Most songs take a stance. They are either "I’m high and I love it" or "I’m drunk and I’m sad." This song lives in the "I don't know" space. That ambiguity is relatable to anyone who has ever felt out of control or just slightly tilted off their axis.
💡 You might also like: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
The TikTok Effect
On TikTok, the song became a backdrop for "GRWM" (Get Ready With Me) videos and late-night montages. It’s interesting how Gen Z and younger Millennials have latched onto it. There’s a certain aesthetic—often called "Indie Sleaze" or "Tumblr Core"—that is making a massive comeback. This song fits that aesthetic perfectly. It’s grainy. It feels like a flash-photo at 3:00 AM.
The algorithm loves contrast. You have this beautiful, almost ethereal folk-leaning production paired with lyrics that are pretty gritty. That juxtaposition is catnip for creators.
Analyzing the Production and Vibe
If you actually sit down and listen to the full arrangement, it’s not just a club track. Not even close. It has these sweeping, cinematic qualities. The acoustic guitar provides a foundation that feels almost traditional, but the vocal processing makes it feel modern.
Gigi Perez isn't just a "TikTok artist." That’s a label that gets thrown around like an insult these days, but it's reductive. She’s a songwriter. Her earlier work, like "The Man," showed she had a penchant for storytelling. In "Wine or the Coke," she leans harder into the atmosphere. The song feels like it’s breathing. Or maybe panting.
There's a specific tension in the melody. It rises in places where you expect it to drop. That keeps the listener on edge. It mimics the physical sensation of the lyrics—that jittery, over-caffeinated but sluggish feeling of mixing stimulants and depressants. It’s a physiological experience translated into sound waves.
The Cultural Context of the "Bender" Song
We’ve seen waves of this before. Think back to The Weeknd’s "Can’t Feel My Face" or Sia’s "Chandelier." We love a song that sounds like a party but feels like a cry for help.
I don't know if it's the wine or the coke sits firmly in that lineage.
📖 Related: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
However, there is a difference in 2024 and 2025. We are in a "sober curious" era. People are more aware of mental health and addiction than ever before. So, when a song like this goes viral, it’s often met with a mix of relatability and a bit of a "yeah, I’ve been there and it was actually kind of terrible" sentiment.
It’s less about "let’s go get wasted" and more about "I am currently wasted and I am examining my consciousness in real-time." It’s an internal monologue.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
A lot of people think the song is just about partying. It isn't. If you listen to the surrounding lyrics, it’s about a relationship. It’s about the "you" in the song.
The substances are just the lens through which the narrator is viewing the person they’re obsessed with. Are they actually in love? Or is it just the chemicals? That’s the real question being asked.
"It’s not a party anthem. It’s an anxiety anthem."
This distinction matters. If you play this at a wedding, people might look at you funny once they actually hear what’s being said. It’s a headphones-on-the-bus kind of song. It’s a staring-at-the-ceiling-at-night kind of song.
How to Find the Full Version
Because of the way music leaks now, many people were searching for the song using just that one lyric. For a while, the full version wasn't even out, which only fueled the fire.
👉 See also: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
- Check Gigi Perez’s official Spotify or Apple Music profiles.
- Look for "Sailor Song" or "Wine or the Coke" – titles sometimes shift during the transition from "viral snippet" to "official release."
- Watch the live versions. Gigi often performs with just a guitar, and the raw energy of the lyrics hits even harder without the studio polish.
What’s Next for Gigi Perez?
The leap from viral moment to career longevity is hard. Most people fail. But Gigi has a distinct "voice"—not just literally, but a perspective. She isn't trying to sound like anyone else. In a sea of AI-generated-sounding pop, she sounds human.
The success of I don't know if it's the wine or the coke has opened doors. We are seeing her move into larger festival slots and more serious critical conversations. She’s tapping into a specific brand of yearning that resonates right now.
Real-World Takeaways
If you’re a creator, the lesson here is simple: specificity wins. "I’m at a party" is boring. "I don't know if it's the wine or the coke" is a specific image. It creates a scene in the listener's head immediately.
If you’re a listener who found the song through the trend, take a second to dive into the rest of her discography. It’s rare to find an artist who can balance the "viral" appeal with actual substance, and she’s doing it.
To get the most out of this track and others like it, focus on the lyrics beyond the hook. The narrative arc of the song usually tells a much more complicated story than a 15-second clip can convey. Pay attention to the bridge—that’s usually where the "why" of the song is hidden.
Keep an eye on her upcoming tour dates. Songs that live or die by their emotional honesty are almost always better in a room full of people feeling the same thing.
Next Steps for the Listener:
- Listen to "The Man" by Gigi Perez to understand her songwriting roots.
- Explore the "Indie Sleaze" playlists on streaming platforms if you like this specific atmosphere.
- If you're struggling with the themes mentioned in the lyrics, remember that music can be a mirror, but real-world support is always available through resources like SAMHSA.