Turner had previously auditioned for several reality singing shows, beginning at 11 years old with America's Got Talent. She then auditioned for The Voice twice and auditioned unsuccessfully for the fifteenth season of American Idol. After trying again in 2017, she finally received a golden ticket to Hollywood. In an audition held in New York, she sang her original song "21st Century Machine." Her segment on American Idol was the first shown during the sixteenth season's premiere on March 11, 2018.
After getting through Hollywood Week, she made it to the Showcase Round where she sang "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. In the Top 24, she sang "Call Me" by Blondie and "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)" with Andy Grammer. After advancing to the Top 14, she sang "Take Me to Church" by Hozier and immediately advanced to the next round. In the Top 10, she sang "Once Upon a Dream" from the movie Sleeping Beauty.
She advanced to the Top 7, where she was one of two contestants to be eliminated from American Idol. After singing "Oops!... I Did It Again" by Britney Spears, Turner forgot some of the words to "Manic Monday" by The Bangles, a flub noticed by the judges. After her elimination, Turner commented that if she had been voted into the next episode, she would have given up her spot to another contestant. Clay Aiken, who finished second place on the second season of American Idol, called the show a "Vacation Bible School talent show" for the judges' response to the blunder.
During the finale of season 16, she reprised her original "21st Century Machine" and sang "Part of Me" as a duet with Katy Perry. Turner was among the performers starring in American Idol Live! 2018, a 48-city tour that ran from July 11 through September 16, 2018.
She has performed solo in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre and Hotel Cafe and performed in the spring of 2019 as an opening act for singer Justin Jesso in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, followed by an opening spot for Meghan Trainor in Atlantic City.
On March 1, 2019, Turner released "Prom Queen". Raisa Bruner of Time described the song as displaying "aching, existential honesty", with Turner's voice suggesting "wisdom beyond her years". On June 7, 2019, she released "Savior," her lead single for her debut EP, The Sad Vegan, which released June 14. In the summer of 2019, she headlined The Sad Vegan Tour.
On September 24, 2019, her live and acoustic version of "Prom Queen" was used in its entirety as the trailer for Shane Dawson's 2019 YouTube series The Beautiful World of Jeffree Star. The video was #1 trending on YouTube, receiving more than 11 million views in one week. The series has also featured several songs from her EP, The Sad Vegan, including "Breathe," "Home," and "Party!"
On May 17, 2019, Turner, partnering with Postmodern Jukebox, made a vintage strings cover of Billie Eilish's song "idontwannabeyouanymore." The cover has over 1.4 million views on YouTube as of December 2021.
In 2019, Turner graduated from Neshaminy High School.
Hometown
Catie Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Substitute emotions with excessive amounts of creatine
And you can't carry any weight that doesn't benefit your physic
You're not scared of anything except morals and dignity
Oh, you were domed from the start according to attachment theory
'Cause I anxiously run to you and you avoid anything remotely needy
Tainted, spilling milk over your friends
Kept the stick and both it's ends and I'm scared of everything
I avoid new hope in Belmore, all the places that you drive
When you need a cigarette, an escape from daily life
I avoid Trevose and street road
'Cause I'm scared you'll think I'm following you
Even though it's my hometown I only feel safe in my room
But I'm not sorry that I loved you
I'm only sorry that I saw something good
In you, you
Burger King, french toast sticks taste better when you're sleep deprived
When everything's funny 'cause you made me stay up all night
I miss you post at 6 AM when our impulses made decisions
I shot gun ride, holding hands with the fried
I avoid new hope in Belmore, all the places that you drive
When you need a cigarette, an escape from daily life
I avoid Trevose and street road
'Cause I'm scared you'll think I'm following you
Even though it's my hometown I only feel safe in my room
But I'm not sorry that I loved you
I'm only sorry that I saw something good
In you, you
All our dirty laundry cross the burbs Of Philadelphia
Now, a stranger in Bucks country who frenches a Tame Impala
And you'll never be sorry
You don't know that word of meaning
Well, then, I'm not sorry that I'm doing this
I'm not sorry that I can't forget, I'm not sorry that I can't forget
I'm not sorry that I can't forget, I'm not sorry that I can't forget
I'm not sorry that I can't forget, I'm not sorry that I can't forget
But I'm not sorry that I loved you
I'm only sorry that I saw something good
In you, you
But I'm not sorry that I loved you
I'm only sorry that that I still do
The lyrics to Catie Turner's song "Hometown" delve into themes of toxic relationships, fear, and self-discovery. The lines "Compensate for cowardest with hyper masculinity / Substitute emotions with excessive amounts of creatine" shed light on the destructive patterns and behaviors that the person in the song exhibits. The persona criticizes them for prioritizing physical strength over emotional depth and using substances to avoid dealing with their feelings. The line "You're not scared of anything except morals and dignity" suggests that this person is willing to sacrifice their values for a false sense of power and control.
The lyrics also touch upon attachment theory, with the line "Oh, you were domed from the start according to attachment theory / 'Cause I anxiously run to you and you avoid anything remotely needy." This references the idea that the person is emotionally distant and avoids forming meaningful connections, while the persona tends to seek validation and affection from them, despite knowing deep down that this dynamic is unhealthy.
The persona expresses their own fears and insecurities by avoiding certain places in their hometown, such as Belmore, Trevose, and Street Road. They confess that they only feel safe in their room, suggesting that their relationship with this person has made them question their sense of security and trust in their surroundings.
The chorus of the song reveals conflicting emotions. The persona admits they are not sorry for loving this person, but rather sorry for seeing something good in them. This may reflect on the realization that their perception of goodness was distorted by their emotions and attachment, leading to disappointment and pain.
Overall, "Hometown" explores themes of toxic relationships, fear, self-protection, and the complexities of love and attachment.
Line by Line Meaning
Compensate for cowardest with hyper masculinity
Try to make up for your fear and insecurity by displaying excessive masculinity
Substitute emotions with excessive amounts of creatine
Replace your feelings with an abundance of muscle-building supplement
And you can't carry any weight that doesn't benefit your physic
You're unable to handle any burden that doesn't contribute to your physical appearance
You're not scared of anything except morals and dignity
You only fear losing your sense of right and self-respect
Oh, you were domed from the start according to attachment theory
You were doomed from the beginning based on psychological attachment theory
'Cause I anxiously run to you and you avoid anything remotely needy
I constantly seek you out in anxiety while you avoid anything that requires emotional support
Tainted, spilling milk over your friends
You betray and harm your friendships by spreading negativity
Kept the stick and both it's ends and I'm scared of everything
You hold onto the problems and conflicts, causing my fear of everything
I avoid new hope in Belmore, all the places that you drive
I stay away from places like New Hope and Belmore because I fear you'll think I'm following you
When you need a cigarette, an escape from daily life
Whenever you need a cigarette to escape your daily struggles
Even though it's my hometown I only feel safe in my room
Despite it being my hometown, I can only feel secure in the comfort of my own room
But I'm not sorry that I loved you
I don't regret having loved you
I'm only sorry that I saw something good
I only regret having believed there was something positive in you
In you, you
In you, in you
Burger King, french toast sticks taste better when you're sleep deprived
The taste of Burger King's french toast sticks is enhanced when you're lacking sleep
When everything's funny 'cause you made me stay up all night
When everything seems humorous because you kept me awake throughout the night
I miss you post at 6 AM when our impulses made decisions
I long for your message at 6 AM when our impulsive actions determined our choices
I shot gun ride, holding hands with the fried
I sit in the front passenger seat, holding hands with the intoxicated
All our dirty laundry cross the burbs Of Philadelphia
Our secrets and flaws are exposed throughout the suburbs of Philadelphia
Now, a stranger in Bucks country who frenches a Tame Impala
I'm now a stranger in Bucks County, engaging in passionate kissing with someone who listens to Tame Impala
And you'll never be sorry
You will never feel remorse
You don't know that word of meaning
You are unaware of the significance of that word
Well, then, I'm not sorry that I'm doing this
In that case, I have no regrets about my current actions
I'm not sorry that I can't forget, I'm not sorry that I can't forget
I have no remorse for being unable to forget, I have no remorse for being unable to forget
But I'm not sorry that I loved you
However, I do not regret having loved you
I'm only sorry that that I still do
I only regret that I still feel love for you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Catherine Turner, Ruslan Ordnoralov
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miranda Schermerhorn
Catie is still one of the best singers I’ve ever heard and she continues to blow my mind with her tone, range and unique chord progressions :)
Tony Costa
I'm stunned. One of the best pieces I've heard in a long time. Expected good. Got great. 🙂
Evan Blum
This song is so insanely beautiful. Great job Catie!
Jason Collin
Just discovered this song and loved it from the very first listen, never hearing any of her other songs. It is my absolute summer anthem. It's a song you can put on your "Save Your Life" playlist!
Lynn Bence
Catie- I love your music and I can’t wait to add this song to my playlist! ❤keep writing and just being you!
bfinkk
Great song, great lyrics.
Bravo 👏
Kevin Krochak
Great lyrics and music from a talented artist.
Jensheare7
Pennsylvania hometowns! Love it
Jessica Millier
I'm not sorry that I loved you! Beautiful lyrics and amazing chorus. Great Song Catie!
Nicholas The Reactor
This official music video is amazing catie.