11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS

Reading Time: 16 min read

11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS features songs by Donny Hathaway, Ice Spice, RYANN, Sam Smith, and Tyler, The Creator.

“You could dream he’s yours all you want, but he’s mine, mine, mine / He’s my GUY.”

Sam Smith said what they said – that’s their G-U-Y, PERIODT! Ice Spice got into the guy action, for better or worse: “Big guy, big guy, big-big guy, big guy / SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay (Grrah) / SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay (Grrah).” Also, there’s the late, great Donny Hathaway, who covered John Lennon, singing, “I didn’t want to hurt you, no, I didn’t / I’m just a jealous GUY.” The playlist at hand, 11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS, is about one of my favorite things, for better or worse. And face it, GUYS can be a sheer pain in the a$$.

But enough about my love/hate relationship with guys – time to focus on the music! 11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS follows up on my previous guy-driven musical compendium, 11 Thrilling Songs About GUYS (2024). Once again, it’s all about them with a mean face card, and those abs… or dad bods… or more to love! No girls allowed! Actually, ladies, you are more than welcome to soak up this hotness! 11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS features songs by Donny Hathaway, Ice Spice, RYANN, Sam Smith, and Tyler, The Creator. So, without further ado, let’s get all guyed up, shall we?!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Sam Smith, “My Guy”

2. Ice Spice, “Big Guy”

3. RYANN, “I Got Ghosted by Another Guy”

4. Tyler, The Creator, “THAT GUY”

5. Boots, “Gay Guys Drink Vodka Sodas, But Girls Do Poppers”

6. Post Malone, “Guy For That” (Ft. Luke Combs)

7. Isak Danielson, “Desperate Guy”

8. Tinashe, “Shy Guy”

9. Diana King, “Shy Guy”

10. Donny Hathaway, “Jealous Guy”

11. Garland Green, “Jealous Kind Of Fella”

1. Sam Smith, “My Guy”

Hazel Eyes » Capitol Records UK / Polydor Label Group » 2026

“He’s all that I need / My morning star / Whenever he leaves / I know he won’t be far.”

Aww, the feels – L-O-V-E! Preceding Gloria, Academy and Grammy-winning pop singer-songwriter Sam Smith (they/them) embraced controversy – unholiness, if you will. Feathers were ruffled (*cough* conservatives), but there was no denying the banger they collaborated with Kim Petras. “My Guy”, the lead single and fourth track from Smith’s fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes (arrives August 21, 2026), hits different. While an MLM (men loving men) like this one won’t silence those myopic, homophobic skeptics, it’s hard to deny how beautiful and heartfelt this ballad is. “My Guy,” a romantic, love-driven song, was written by Smith, Simon Aldred, Shahzad Ismaily, and Feist (Leslie Feist). Smith produced it with Aldred and David Odlum, with additional production by Feist.

Although it is restrained, “My Guy” is enchanting. The first of many times I listened to it, I found myself hypnotized. Despite not being ‘in your face,’ it’s alluring, mesmerizing, and potent. There is a pureness about “My Guy” that makes it stand out. The subtlety of this soulful pop ballad is part of its undeniable charm. The production is sufficient, never forcing things – a simple rhythmic groove, spare guitar, and colorful keys. Sam Smith is always the focal point, never inhibited by the production. Their vocals are lovely and sincere; you buy what they’re selling. Smith gets terrific support from background vocals, who also keep things non troppo. Beyond top-notch vocals, the theme and those thoughtful, love-centric lyrics are the crème de la crème. “How could I know / A love could be this true?” Sam sings in the second verse and continues, “And I didn’t know / A dance could be this slow.” The memorable chorus is the most rousing moment, but again, it never gets too high or overdoes it.

“And like all good things, it caught me by surprise

You could dream he’s yours all you want, but he’s mine, mine, mine

He’s my guy

He’s my guy.”

“My Guy” is a stellar return by Sam Smith. Although far less controversial than “Unholy” could ever hope to be, the authenticity, emotion, and sheer romance are utterly sublime. This song, and the sincerity with which Sam sings it, makes me desire to find that special bond.

Appears in 🔻:

Striking Bops from July 2026

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2. Ice Spice, “Big Guy”

“Big Guy” » Dolo Entertainment, Inc. / UMG Recordings, Inc. / 10K Projects, LLC » 2025

“Facin’ the world in a brand-new way / SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay.”

Okayyy! Grrah! Depending upon who you ask, Ice Spice (Isis Gaston, b. 2000) delivered one of the worst songs of 2025. “Big Guy” was panned by many. It should be noted, however, that the song does hail from the soundtrack of a children’s movie, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. No, it’s no “Let It Go” or “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, but is it as abysmal as “Friend of Mine”? Not by my estimations!

No, “Big Guy” is no tour de force, but did anyone expect it to be? This RiotUSA (“Stop playin’ with ‘em, RIOT”), Venny, and 1keep produced joint features striking, colorful, and rhythmic synths. The syncopated beat provides an anchor. Ice Spice doesn’t sound brand-new, delivering a cool, low-energy performance with her familiar, tried-and-true flow. The punch is minimal; however, you’ll find yourself unable to get the repetitive chorus of “Big Buy” unstuck from your head.

“Big guy, big guy, big-big guy, big guy
SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay (Grrah)
SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay (Grrah)
Big guy, big guy, big-big guy, big guy
SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay (Like)
SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay.”

Beyond the chorus, the lyrics reference the characters and happenings from SpongeBob SquarePants. Is there really much you can take away from “Tight fit, square hips / Doin’ a dance in my big guy pants,” or “Feel like that fish, so I’m pumpin’ my chest.” Nope, not really. By my estimations, “Big Guy” by Ice Spice is what it is: a song from the soundtrack of a children’s movie.

Appears in 🔻:

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3. RYANN, “I Got Ghosted by Another Guy”

“I Got Ghosted by Another Guy”» RYANN » 2026

“I got ghosted by another guy / I met him on Tinder / Out of the blue / He stopped responding to my texts.”

What a bummer, RYANN (Ryan Adriaens). Sadly, ghosting is prevalent in dating, particularly within the gay community, and it sucks BADLY. The Queer Netherlands pop singer/songwriter articulates the shitty situation superbly on his single “I Got Ghosted by Another Guy”, which he wrote and produced. “I Got Ghosted by Another Guy” shines for many reasons. The musical accompaniment is creative, ear-catching, and vibrant. RYANN shares a variety of captivating sounds, ideas, and contrasts. As a vocalist, he sings expressively, sharing the unfortunate happening and how it affected him. In the first verse, excerpted earlier, he continues, “He didn’t tell me why he left / Was it something I said? / You know, it’s fucking rude /To leave someone wondering about themselves.” He is 100% correct. This fella makes our handsome Dutch musician question the mistakes he made: “Is there something wrong with me / Am I too kind? / Am I too straight? / Am I too gay for you?” Expectedly, he is upset, dropping a few f-bombs, including the potent “Fuck you, fuck your friends / And everything you do.” Woo! By the end, RYANN makes the assertion that we all hoped he would: “It’s your loss, not mine.” We should embrace those wise words when being ghosted. Crying over spilt milk, or a person who didn’t think enough of you to give you a reason why they are breaking things off, is a waste of time and energy. And maybe, just maybe, you, the person being ghosted, lucked out. Once more, RYANN serves the gays another surefire bop with “I Got Ghosted by Another Guy”.

Appears in 🔻:

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4. Tyler, The Creator, “THAT GUY”

“THAT GUY” » Columbia Records » 2026

“Them niggas used to press me on the carrot-colored bus, ha / …That’s why I’m paranoid now ‘cause niggas weird and really bums.”

Word. Ask yourself this question. Does Grammy-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Tyler, The Creator ever drop a dud? No. “THAT GUY” continues the utmost consistency of one of the more intriguing artists, regardless of genre, in the game. Also, ask yourself this question: does the background sound familiar? If you are a fan of Kendrick Lamar, you’ll recognize that this freestyle samples “hey now” from GNX. Beyond the big-time K-Dot sample, Tyler samples Baby Keem ( “Booman” ) and himself (“Rah Tah Tah”). Ultimately, “THAT GUY” TOTALLY SLAPS, NO CAP! Tyler, The Creator wrote it alongside Kendrick Lamar, Jack Antonoff, Mustard, Sounwave, Fabo, Slick B, and Dody6. He produced it with Mustard, Sounwave, and Antonoff.

“THAT GUY” begins somewhat mysteriously, with odd, unsettling sound effects. This sets the tone for this banger. Soon enough, the signature badass, hard-nosed West Coast beat (“hey now”) provides a mean anchor. As usual, Tyler, The Creator eats, leaving no crumbs. He’s bold, confident, and unapologetic. He delivers a captivating cadence and flow. “LaFerrari popping on the 40 with the 5 / One ticket, two ticket, three ticket, four million,” he asserts in the first verse, and adds, “Lil’ Bunny Hop out, you seen me at The Pop Out / Pandemonium screaming like they brought Pac out.” Woo! He doesn’t stop there. He memorably raps in the second verse, “All these women is a habit / Boyfriends mad ‘cause they thought I was a f— (Hey now).” Oh, Tyler, never change! And there’s more: “One whip, two whips, black bitch, blue strips / Green face Grinch, Tyler on his Dr. Seuss shit.” D-d-damn! The chorus, unsurprisingly, is ‘kind of a big deal’:

“Hey now, say now, I’m all about them bands

Shit, I’m on, bitch, you wouldn’t understand.”

With a minimalist, beat-led backdrop initially, “THAT GUY” adds the bright, dynamic, and triumphant pad (again, “hey now”) that exemplifies the West Coast sound. The minimalism returns, but that big wall of sound briefly reappears to conclude “THAT GUY.” All told, “THAT GUY” is another winner from the compelling and creative Tyler, The Creator. It gets high marks for its performance, rhymes, and production. Even Tyler’s freestyles are nothing short of fine shyt. “Big stud energy the way I get my lick back, huh.” Hell yeah!

Appears in 🔻:

Striking Bops from July 2026

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5. Boots, “Gay Guys Drink Vodka Sodas, But Girls Do Poppers”

Boots Bitch (EP) » Boots Bitch » 2024

“Boots Bitch!”

Indeed. Boots is Abhijeet (she/they, self-described ‘7ft tall Bollywood Barbie’) and Kirk. “Gay Guys Drink Vodka Sodas, But Girls Do Poppers” is the second track from the duo’s 2024 EP, fittingly titled Boots Bitch. The titular lyrics are crucial. They are repeated many, many times. “Gay guys drink vodka sodas,” Abhijeet sings thrice, adding, “Girls, girls, do poppers.” Vodka soda is entrenched in gay culture. Poppers as well. While Abhijeet claims girls do poppers, I question the context. Gay men are famous/infamous for using them… Anyways, beyond vodka sodas and poppers, variation arrives. Different alcoholic drinks are referenced, including Belvedere, Grey Goose, and Cîroc. Abhijeet sings from the perspective of a gay guy and answers as a girl:

“Do you want a shot?

Do you want a sip?

Vodka sodas are for gay guys

So, I’ll just take a hit.”

Ooh-wee! Before the final choruses, she memorably asks, “Can you believe he offered me shots? / What do I look like? A man?” Backed by sickening musical accompaniment filled with colorful synths and an infectious danceable beat (get it Kirk), “Gay Guys Drink Vodka Sodas, But Girls Do Poppers” is an entertaining dance bop well beyond its 2024 release. Gays and girls can bump to this one!

Appears in 🔻:

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6. Post Malone, “Guy For That” (Ft. Luck Combs)

F-1 Trillion » Mercury / Republic » 2024

“Hell, I got a guy for every damn thing,”

Post Malone asserts on “Guy For That”, the third single from F-1 Trillion. Even though he’s got guys, he continues singing in the first verse, “Oh, that ain’t exactly what I’m lookin’ for.” Post is assisted by Luke Combs, who performs the second verse and chorus. “Guy For That” was written by Malone, Combs, Charlie Handsome, ERNEST (Ernest Smith), Hoskins, James McNair, and Louis Bell. Bell, Handsome, and Hoskins produced. “Guy For That” is respectable–enjoyable enough. The instrumental accompaniment is unsurprising. It is a standard, contemporary country soundscape. Post sings with his signature vibrato. His tone is fitting, and there’s no question he pulls the country vibes off. The melodies in the verses are tuneful, and the chorus is catchy enough. The chorus is a bit lengthy. Also, there is a post-chorus, where Post and Combs inform us, “Ain’t got the guy for that.” Speaking of Luke, he contrasts Post in the second verse and the second chorus. He’s on the same page about having a guy for things. But, in the chorus: “I’m pretty good at breakin’ down a heart / But picking up the pieces is the hard part.” True.

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7. Isak Danielson, “Desperate Guy”

Truly Yours, Isak » Isak Danielson » 2024

“If I’m your mistake, please make it twice / I’m just a fool, who just loves you for miles.”

Aww, Isak Danielson 🥹. The Swedish 🇸🇪 musician pours his heart out on his single, “Desperate Guy”. Danielson is unafraid to bare his feelings. He penned the brief but potent song with Simon Strömstedt. He’s supported by a radiant accompaniment (keys, guitars, dramatic strings) produced by Kevin Anderson. He delivers gorgeous, nuanced vocals from the onset of “Desperate Guy.” His tone is stunning. Authentic to the nth degree, he sings with incredible sincerity. The lyrics are poetic and heartfelt. “I never pretend when I’m with you / How can a love, so sweet and so pure,” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “Cut me so deep, causin’ me pain / But I’d do it over, and over again.

The chorus is especially tuneful, where his desperation is most pronounced:

“I feel the rain on my skin

Now I know what they mean

…I’ll stay here, stay here

So, you know where to meet

Just look for a desperate guy on your street.”

“Desperate Guy” pulls back the final 20 seconds of the song. Danielson is only accompanied by a guitar. He sings the final verse, continuing to share his love and yearning for this man: “If I’m late too late, I wish that you knew / Don’t think I’ll ever find someone like you.” Isak Danielson, you put your whole foot and whole heart into this one!

Appears in 🔻:

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8. Tinashe, “Shy Guy”

333 » Tinashe Music Inc. / Equity Distribution » 2021

“You could be here sippin’ with me right now / You should be here, but you’re trippin’ on my right now.”

Tinashe is bored and lonely on “Shy Guy,” the brief fourth track from her 2021 LP, 333. She has to occupy herself because it’s so quiet in her house without him, and it gets in her head. The thing is, she probably has good reason to be in her head, judging by the shyness he exhibits in the chorus: “Shy guy, always sayin’ it’s the wrong time / Even though you know it feels right / Love don’t fit into your timeline.” Speaking as a shy guy, Tinashe’s characterizations can be accurate – love, which can open doors, can also be overwhelming, even if there is a vibe between two people. Speaking of vibes, this one-minute- and change track is certainly a vibe, albeit bite-sized. Dwilly produces this picturesque exploration into male shyness and female loneliness. That beat is the sugar honey iced tea! The synths, too, honestly!

Appears in 🔻:

Shy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 4 (2023)

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9. Diana King, “Shy Guy”

Tougher Than Love » SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT » 1995

“Everywhere mi guh, di man dem a rush mi.”

Word. Diana King was a popular girl back in 1995. She struck gold with her infectious reggae-pop hit, “Shy Guy”. Early on, King expresses the desires of her heart, and it’s not those boys pursuing her: “I don’t want no fly guy / I just want a shy guy.” You read correctly – she prefers shy guys. “But I don’t want somebody who’s loving everybody / I need a shy guy / He’s the kinda guy who’ll only be mine.” She has a point!

“Shy Guy” appeared on her 1995 album, Tougher Than Love. An international hit, in the U.S., it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was by far the Jamaican singer’s biggest hit stateside and one of only two top 40 singles. King, Kingsley Gardner, and producer Andy Marvel wrote the irresistible joint. The musical accompaniment thrives off its groove, rhythmic, and tropical vibes. King infuses ample personality and Jamaican patois into her performance. “Roughneck man, mi nah waan nuhn a dem,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “Big tings a gwaan fi all di shy man dem.” King sums up her feelings perfectly in the unforgettable chorus:

“Have mercy, mercy, mercy

But nuhn a dem nah move mi, move mi, move mi

Shy guy a weh mi wanty, wanty, wanty

Only him can mek mi irie, irie, irie.”

Word. The big-personality, big-voiced Diana King shines on the 1990s bop “Shy Guy”.

Appears in 🔻:

Diana King, Shy Guy: Throwback Vibez No. 169 (2024)

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10. Donny Hathaway, “Jealous Guy”

Someday We’ll All Be Free » Rhino Entertainment Company » 2010

“I was dreaming of the past, / And my heart was beating fast,”

Donny Hathaway (1945 – 1979) sings, and continues, “I began to lose control / I began to lose control.” Word. Those lyrics appear in the first verse of the song “Jealous Guy”, written and originally performed by John Lennon (1940 – 1980). Hathaway, who had a knack for transformative covers, makes Lennon’s original sound like it could’ve originally been his song. “Jealous Guy – Studio Version” is the 29^th track on his compilation, Someday We’ll All Be Free. “Jealous Guy – Live”, meanwhile, is the seventh track on Hathaway’s live album, Live, released in 1973.

“Jealous Guy,” whether recorded in the studio or live, exhibits top-notch musicianship. Focusing on the studio recording, the playful, bluesy piano riffs are everything. Piano makes everything better, and the pianoing in “Jealous Guy” is a prime example. At about 2:15 in the studio version, there is a sick, ultra-playful piano solo. The solo emphasizes the right-hand, tinkling those treble notes. Hathaway hams it up, and it’s nothing short of delightful! Beyond the keys, there are superb guitar riffs and a robust bass line. The accompaniment is stellar, but it’s Hathaway’s sincere, soulful vocals that are truly the star of the show. The verses are sublime as Donny sincerely shares his feelings of jealousy. Feeling insecure about losing her, he sings, “I was shivering inside,” in the second verse. The chorus is the crème de la crème:

“I didn’t mean to hurt you

And I’m sorry I made you cry

I didn’t want to hurt you, no, I didn’t

I’m just a jealous guy.”

At least he’s honest, right? To reiterate, in the hands of Donny Hathaway, “Jealous Guy” sounds like it could have his song, not a cover. Enough said!

Appears in 🔻:

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11. Garland Green, “Jealous Kind Of Fella”

Jealous Kind Of Fella » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1969

“Jealous kind of fella… / Hey, hey, hey…”

Soul singer and pianist Garland Green (1942 – 2026) delivered a hit song with his classic, “Jealous Kind Of Fella”. “Jealous Kind Of Fella” is Green’s only single to impact the pop charts. It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Jealous” is the opening track from his 1969 album, also titled Jealous Kind Of Fella. Green, Jo Armstead, Maurice Dollison, and Rudolph Browner wrote “Jealous Kind Of Fella.” Armstead and Mel Collins produced it.

“Jealous Kind Of Fella” is set in a lilting, compound duple meter. It exemplifies the late 1960s sound (strings and rhythm section). The record benefits from a robust bass line, sickening drum groove, sweet string riffs, and fantastic piano playing. Green delivers silky smooth vocals, singing soulfully with ease. It’s not all butter, though. Green also brings some grittiness, too. It makes sense given the fact he’s an admitted jealous kind of fella. “Hello, baby, please don’t be too mad at me / Because I punch that guy last night,” he asserts in the first verse, adding, “I want you to know this is one sign that I love you / Love you, I’m a jealous kind of fella.” In the second verse, he admits to embarrassing her, but asserts that the things he does are because of love. “You’ve given me more happiness than any man can claim,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “You’ve got me out of my head / ‘Cause I love you, love you / I’m just a jealous kind of fella.” Of course, the chorus is the centerpiece of this 1969 classic. Garland Green never reached the same heights as “Jealous Kind Of Fella”, but he scored on that one!

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~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 10K Projects, LLC, Boots Bitch, Capitol Records UK, Columbia Records, Dolo Entertainment, Inc., Equity Distribution, Mercury, Polydor Label Group, Republic, Rhino Entertainment Company, RYANN, Tinashe Music Inc., UMG Recordings, Inc.; Edslan Silva, Hayron Fotos, juliane Monari, KOUKI WALIM, Matheus Bertelli, Samuel Portillo from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay; from Unsplash]

11 Intriguing Songs About GUYS | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on August 5, 2026August 5, 2026