12 Interesting Songs That Reference Bisexuality | Playlist

1. Harry Styles, “Lights Up”

Fine Line • Columbia • 2019

Did Harry Styles ‘come out’ when he released single “Lights Up” on October 11, 2019 (National Coming Out Day)? That is the question surrounding the single. Regardless of how Styles identifies sexually, “Lights Up,” is quite the intriguing record. The British heartthrob went against the grain on his promo single from his sophomore album, Fine Line, and it boded well for him.

“Lights Up” contrasts most of the songs that appeared on Harry Styles’ debut album, self-titled solo debut album. “Lights Up” has elements of vintage and retro, led by the robust bass line and the keyboards.  Still, there are also some modern cues, including the sleekness of the vocal production and some programming as well.  The record possesses a great groove, and fine production work courtesy of Tyler Johnson. Vocally, Styles remains a force, sounding absolutely marvelous, as he makes it clear he will “Shine, step into the light” and notably, ‘never go back.’

Honestly, it’s the lyrics, the accompanying music video, and the significance of October 11, 2019 that add to the speculation regarding Styles’ sexuality.  Does he care? Probably not.  There does seem to be elements of bisexuality implied in the music video, while the lyrics seem to be ‘open-minded’ without specifically addressing sexuality.  But the chorus seems to ‘open the door’:

“All the lights couldn’t put out the dark
Runnin’ through my heart
Lights up and they know who you are
Know who you are
Do you know who you are? (Oh).”

“Lights Up” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in October 2019.

2. Liam Payne, “Both Ways”

LP1 • Capitol • 2019

I have no doubt that the reactions to LP1 bothered Liam Payne.  The reactions to the much-maligned album suggest that (possibly even confirm) a lucrative solo career for Payne seems quite unlikely. The thing is, Payne is talented, not to mention incredibly handsome.  That said, LP1 was definitely deserving of its spot as the third worst album of 2019 by estimations. Sure, it had its respectable moments (“Strip That Down”, “Get Low”, and “Familiar”), but the One Direction heartthrob also made some glaring missteps.  None is more glaring than “Both Ways,” which was selected among the 11 of the Absolute Worst Songs of 2019, also quite deservedly (Only “Earth” by Lil Dicky fared worse TBH).

Why did “Both Ways” end up being a very bad moment for Mr. Payne? Well, the ‘horn-dog’ himself appears to fetishize bisexuality – what an ‘arsehole’ move! In a time where the collection of LGBTQ+ songs is only increasing, Payne’s entry is totally ill advised. Easily the most polarizing and shocking song of LP1, Payne’s girlfriend is portrayed as bi, hence, why “she like it both ways.” Liam brings a whole new level of kinkiness as opposed to respect, tolerance, or transcendence, referencing threesomes, where, unsurprisingly, his girlfriend’s girlfriend gets him involved:

“Lovin’ the way that she’s turning you on
Switching the lanes like a Bugatti Sport
Nothing but luck that she got me involved, yeah
Flipping that body, go head, I go tails
Sharing that body like it’s our last meal
One and a two and a three, that’s for real.”

Question: is anyone turned on by this? Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Hence, “Both Ways” is a great way to sink a solo career before it even truly begins.  Horrid.

3. Janelle Monáe, “Make Me Feel”

Dirty Computer • Bad Boy • 2018

“You keep on asking me the same questions / And second guessing all my intentions / Should know by the way I use my compression / That you’ve got the answers to my confessions.” Dirty Computer, the third album by eclectic R&B artist Janelle Monáe, was by far her boldest, most personal, and most transcendent album of her career. Unsurprisingly, the accomplished 2018 album was nominated for the Grammy’s most prestigious category, Album of the Year.  One of the best songs from Dirty Computer is single, “Make Me Feel”.

On “Make Me Feel,” Monáe blends throwback 80s R&B-funk production, and modern, urban contemporary fare.  Notable instruments used are guitars and of course, keyboards. Also, Grammy-nominated pop singer-songwriter Julia Michaels serves as a co-writer. The influence of Prince is evident, particularly the yelps that occur on the bridge section.  Monáe delivers sexy-sounding vocals, in line with liberated, risqué, and sensual nature of Dirty Computer.  As the aforementioned lyrics suggest, Monáe is opening up sexually, confirming queer speculation you might say. It’s further confirmed with lyrics such as, “It’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender / An emotional sexual bender.” The chorus is the crème de la crème:

“That’s just the way you make me feel
That’s just the way you make me feel
So good, so good, so fuckin’ real
That’s just the way you make me feel.”

“Make Me Feel” was ranked as the 29^th best song of 2018 on the year in review playlist, 100 Best Songs of 2018, and also appears on the playlist, Emotional Songs Where It’s All About the Feel, Vol. 1.

4. Rita Ora, “Girls”

Ft. Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX & Cardi B

Phoenix • Atlantic • 2018

“I ain’t one-sided, I’m open-minded / I’m fifty-fifty and I’m never gonna hide it.” Perhaps, her heart was in the right place, but Rita Ora fell far short on her star-studded bisexually-driven anthem, “Girls” (Phoenix), which features Cardi B, Charli XCX, and Bebe Rexha. Typically, socially charged songs, particularly those with a LGBTQ tilt, are applauded.  That has NOT been the case with  “Girls,” which has received widespread criticism.  Considered to be among the worst songs of 2018, to Ora’s credit, she makes a statement about sexuality, specifically bisexuality, albeit poorly stated.

On the aforementioned Rita Ora excerpt from the first verse, she seems to be admitting that she’s bisexual, or at least not merely heterosexual.  Charli XCX follows up with the pre-chorus encompassing a lesbian relationship, ménage trois, and kush – hmm. On the chorus, both admit, “I just wanna kiss girls.” Rexha joins on the second verse, focusing on same-sex attraction with Cardi B capping things off: “I steal your bitch, have her down with the scissor / Tonight, I don’t want a dog, I want a kitten.” Again, Ora and company oversimplify bisexuality, same-sex attraction, and sexuality in general.  This is a misguided pop record through and through, that had it been executed properly, could’ve packed a mightier punch.  Even so, “Girls” previously appeared on the playlist, Totally Awesome LGBTQ+ Songs Beaming with PRIDE.  Additionally, it also graced the playlist, Songs About Girls, Vol. 1.

5. Tove Lo, “Bitches (Remix)”

Ft. Charli XCX, Icona Pop, Elliphant & ALMA

“Bitches (Remix)” – Single • Universal • 2018

Swedish artist Tove Lo always seems to ‘push the envelope.’ A perfect example arrives via “bitches”, the seventh track from her 2017 album, BLUE LIPS (lady wood phase II).  In 2018, Tove Lo returned with a remix of the record, featuring Charli XCX, Icona Pop, Elliphant, and ALMA.  The song explores lesbianism (Tove Lo is bisexual).  She starts things off bluntly with lines like “Know your own love, I don’t fuck with no glove” and “Let me be your guide when you eat my pussy out.” Charli XCX, drops in for the pre-chorus asserting, “All the girls stare at me, drop lip / Dripping in harmony, like Fifth.”

Joined by Tove Lo, they deliver the ‘filter-less’ hook:

“Bitches, I don’t trust ‘em
But they give me what I want for the night
Bitches, I don’t trust ‘em
But I tell ‘em and they do what I like.”

Icona Pop arrives for the second verse, ending with a bang: “So, baby, spread your legs, I’ll do the same, already cumming.” On the third verse, Elliphant and ALMA trade solo lines, while also performing alongside Tove Lo.  So, what does one make of this blunt record? Depends on who you are, where you are, and what your perspectives are.  What is clear is that Tove Lo isn’t afraid to speak about her sexuality and manages to get unique pop single out of it.  “Bitches” previously appeared on a couple of playlists:  Totally Awesome LGBTQ+ Songs Beaming With Pride and 13 Totally B!+chin’ Songs.

6. Halsey, “Strangers”

Ft. Lauren Jauregui

Hopeless Fountain Kingdom • Astralwerks • 2017

Alt-pop artist Halsey, who is bisexual, tackled a lesbian relationship on her 2017 hit, “Strangers”, which appears on her sophomore album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. Its content is different from most of the songs featured on the album. Early on, it establishes itself as an LGBTQ song.  On the first verse, she sings: “She doesn’t kiss me on the mouth anymore / ‘Cause it’s more intimate, than she thinks we should…”

The chorus confirms the LGBTQ tilt:

“Said that we’re not lovers, we’re just strangers
With the same damn hunger
To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all.”

Lauren Jauregui, a member of Fifth Harmony (also bisexual), similarly shares her side of the story on the second verse. Both unite on the bridge:

“I miss the mornings with you laying in my bed
I miss the memories replaying in my head
I miss the thought of a forever, you and me
But all you’re missing is my body.”

“Strangers” previously appeared on a couple of playlists: 12 Friends & Strangers Songs and  Totally Awesome LGBTQ+ Songs Beaming With Pride.

7. Demi Lovato, “Cool for the Summer”

Confident • Island / Hollywood • 2015

“Tell me what you want / What you like / it’s okay / I’m a little curious too…I can keep a secret, can you?” Open-minded pop star Demi Lovato courted some controversy (for lack of a better word) with her hit single, “Cool for The Summer” (Confident, 2015). What makes the record bold are references to bi-curiousness and lesbianism, insinuated in the aforementioned lyrics.

The lustfulness is clear, with a reference to “cherry” fueling the same-sex tilt.

“Got my mind on your body and your body on my mind
Got a taste for the cherry, I just need to take a bite.”

The chorus continues the curiousness:

“Take me down into your paradise
Don’t be scared, cause I’m your body type
Just something that we wanna try
Cause you and I
We’re cool for the summer.”

“Cool for the Summer” brings light to the existence of a sexual spectrum that goes beyond being exclusively straight, exclusively gay, or bisexual.  Interestingly, there’s a Purple-Red Scale for determining sexuality.  Since it’s only “cool for the summer,” clearly Lovato considers this to be a fling as opposed to a serious relationship. Nonetheless, a sexually awakening experience. “Cool for the Summer” previously appeared on a couple of playlists: 13 Captivating Summer Songs and Totally Awesome LGBTQ+ Songs Beaming With Pride.

8. Panic! At the Disco, “Girls/Girls/Boys”

Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! • Fueled by Ramen • 2013

Brendon Urie and Panic! At the Disco delivered one of his most risqué singles of its career with “Girls/Girls/Boys.” The single, not to mention Urie’s revelation of sexual experimentation caused the media to incorrectly label him as bisexual; notably, he came out as pansexual in 2018. He’s definitely onboard with the freedom to be and of course do what you’d like.

“Girls/Girls/Boys” embraces bisexuality, from a girl’s perspective:

“And never did I think that I
Would be caught in the way you got me
But girls love girls and boys
And love is not a choice.”

Later on, Urie admits to interfering with his love interest’s preferences:

“I’m just a villain vying for attention from a girl
A girl who can’t decide
And here’s the reason why
Girls love girls and boys.”

While he proclaims himself as the villain in this case, he’s ultimately thinking bigger. Since “Girls/Girls/Boys” is bisexual anthem, he suggests those interfering with people choosing who to love – judgmental or otherwise – are the villains. “Girls/Girls/Boys” previous appeared on the playlists: Songs About Girls, Vol. 1, 14 Songs That Are About Boys or Girls, and Totally Awesome LGBTQ+ Songs Beaming With Pride.

9. Rihanna, “Te Amo”

Rated R • Def Jam • 2009

The 2009 Rihanna album, Rated R, was indeed, rated R.  This was an important, transitional album in the R&B/pop artist’s discography.  Notably, the album followed the whole Chris Brown scandal.  Rihanna would return edgy, with music that embodied being risqué AF.  One of the kinder, gentler numbers from Rated R, “Te Amo,” would end up being progressive than some of the cuts that found Ri incorporating f-bombs.

“Te Amo” encompasses a ‘romantic encounter’ between two women.  There’s no relationship, nor do things ‘go all the way.’  Still, the particular woman desires to be ‘more than friends’ with Rihanna. “Te amo, te amo / She says to me / I hear the pain in her voice,” Rihanna sings on the first verse, continuing, “Then we danced underneath the candelabra / She takes the lead / That when I saw it in her eyes, it’s over.”  Rihanna makes her resistance to this potential relationship crystal clear on the chorus of this Latin-tinged, tropical pop gem:

“Then she said te amo
Then she put her hand around my waist
I told her, no
She cried te amo
I told her I’m not gonna run away
But let me go
My soul is awry
Without asking why
I said te amo
Wish somebody’d tell me what she said?
Don’t it mean, I love you?
Think it means, I love you
Don’t it mean, I love you?

A terrific song, it captures a scenario that is quite easy to envision by all means.  Crushing on the same-sex, yet the crush doesn’t feel that way – definitely a realistic situation.

10. Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

The Fame • Interscope • 2008

“Love game intuition, play the cards with spades to start / And after he’s been hooked, I’ll play the one that’s on his heart.” Listening to “Poker Face” without context, or playing extremely close attention to the lyrics, it would seem that it’s a harmless, dance-pop record by Lady Gaga. Dance-pop often focuses on the production and vibe more so than the lyrics, so, Lady Gaga could easily get a bit of a pass given the infectious, killer vibes of “Poker Face.” Don’t let the infectiousness of this number one hit from The Fame Monster fool you.  Basically, you should totally ‘read into’ the chorus, which clearly insinuates bisexuality, confirmed by the musician herself.

There’s nothing wrong with that, but back when, how many caught what Gaga was actually singing about?

“Can’t read my, can’t read my
No, he can’t read my poker face
(She’s got me like nobody)
Can’t read my, can’t read my
No, he can’t read my poker face
(She’s got me like nobody).”

“Poker Face” previously appeared on the playlist 13 Songs That Focus on the Face.

11. Katy Perry, “I Kissed a Girl”

One of the Boys • Capitol • 2008

“That was never the way I planned / Not my intention / I got so brave, drink in hand / Lost my discretion…” Well, that’s very telling Katy Perry.  Of course, the opening lines from the first verse set up the 2008, bisexual anthem (rather, bi-curious), “I Kissed a Girl.”  Of course, the juiciest part of the verse is the second half, where Perry asserts, “Just wanna try you on / I’m curious for you…”

Does “I Kissed A Girl” have a transcendent message? Eh. A Huffington Post article sheds some light on this controversial, though extremely popular hit. Regardless of the controversy – the aforementioned “Both Ways” (Liam Payne) and “Girls” (Rita Ora) are also controversial – you could argue “I Kissed A Girl” broke barriers at the time.  Same-sex interactions wasn’t a popular topic for pop hits back in 2008.  And who didn’t “like it” at the time? By the way, the “cherry chap stick reference” was naughtier than anyone thought.

12. Franz Ferdinand, “Michael”

Franz Ferdinand • Domino • 2004

“So sexy, I’m sexy / So, come dance with me, Michael / I’m all that you see, you want to see / So, come and dance with me, Michael.” You know, when I think of Franz Ferdinand, bisexuality and homoerotic certainly don’t come to mind.  However, “Michael” has always stood out on their self-titled, 2004 album.  There’s quite the argument to be had.  Does “Michael” dip into a same-sex situation, or is it generally misinterpreted or misread? That is the question!

“Michael, you’re the boy with all the leather hips / Sticky hair, sticky hips, stubble on my sticky lips…” Wow – that’s hot stuff to say the least, Alex Kapranos!  Taken the lyrics literally, “Michael” has homoerotic thriller written all over it. “Beautiful boys on a beautiful dance floor,” he continues on the chorus, adding, “Michael, you’re dancing like a beautiful dance-whore.” Sure, “Michael” isn’t extremely explicit, far paling in comparison to contemporary sexually charged music, but still, an early ode from male to male (2004) – it’s worth talking about, and still potent to this day.