14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022

Reading Time: 17 min read

14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022 features music courtesy of Dove Cameron, FLETCHER, jaboukie, Omar Apollo, Perfume Genius, and Sam Smith.

It is no secret folks that The Musical Hype is a progressive, open-minded music website. If it is a secret, well, the secret is out and proud baby! I should come as no shock that The Musical Hype has and always will support the LGBTQ+ community and its many, talented musicians. I say all of this to say that our latest musical compendium highlights 14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022.

It is worth noting that the songs that appear on 14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022 have NOT previously appeared on an LGBTQ-themed list. Several are published throughout the year on The Musical Hype. So, just in case you are wondering why some favorites from 2022 do not appear on this list, that is because they have already been featured previously. 14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022 features music courtesy of Dove Cameron, FLETCHER, jaboukie, Omar Apollo, Perfume Genius, and Sam Smith among others. Without further ado, let’s jump right into these exceptional LGBTQ+ songs!

1. Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy”

Gloria • Capitol • 2023 

“Mummy don’t know daddy’s getting hot / At the body shop / Doing something unholy.” Gah-day-um!   “Unholy” arrives as the second single of 2022 by Academy- and Grammy-award-winning, nonbinary singer/songwriter, Sam Smith.  From the first note, it’s clear that Smith is changing up their sound and evolving.  On “Unholy,” set to appear on Smith’s 2023 album, Gloria, they are assisted by German pop singer, Kim Petras, who fits the unholiness perfectly.     

“Unholy” commences unexpectedly with big a cappella vocals by Smith (with vocal effects, mind you).  Unknowingly, upon first listen the intro is the eventual chorus of the record.  Ultimately, that chorus (excerpted at the top) ends up being a surefire vibe that you can’t get unstuck. Besides the epic intro and alluring chorus, “Unholy” features incredibly sleek production work courtesy of Smith, Ilya, Cirkut, Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, Jimmy Napes. My, what a team! Although the chorus does a fabulous job of summing up the sus happenings, the verses by Smith and Petras superbly fill in the blanks.  In the first verse, Smith sings, “Dirty, dirty boy / you know everyone is talkin’ on the scene / I hear them whisperin’ bout the places that you’ve been / And how you don’t know how to keep your business clean.” Oh, snap! As for Petras,  in playful and sassy fashion, she asserts, “You gon’ need to bag it up ‘cause I’m spendin’ on Rodeo (Woo) / You can watch me back it up, I’ll be gone in the A.M.” Woo! All told, “Unholy” is short but ultimately sweet. The collaboration between Smith and Petras works out incredibly well.   

Appears in :

Awesome Songs: September 2022

2. Omar Apollo, “Pretty Boy”

Ivory (Marfil) • Warner • 2022

“Pretty boy / Pretty like the ocean and the sky at night / And I fell in you / Right after we made love on a starry night.” What I personally love about Mexican American musician Omar Apollo is the fact that he is true to himself in his music.  Rather than conforming or merely creating more linear, exclusively heterosexual-themed songs, Apollo is unafraid to deliver music that’s sexually fluid, and often, queer.  Everyone desires musicians to label themselves, but my question is, why is it so important? “Pretty Boy” from Ivory (Marfil), is queer and it’s absolutely beautiful.     

“‘Cause the way you talk, makes me undress / Think of times we can’t relive…” At this point, Omar Apollo has alluded to sexual experiences and relationships with men. Here, he recounts a past experience, one that seemed truly special.  “I just dream of you (dream of you),” he sings in the first verse, adding, “When you’re not around I picture you next to me / And it hurts to think that someone else might love you like I do.” The thing is, even though it’s clear that the perspective is from one male to another, it doesn’t matter. These are relatable feelings regardless of sexual preference.  

“Just know that I’m missing you  

Stole my heart (Stole my heart) and made me run 

You’re so beautiful (Your skin so smooth) 

You stole my heart (Stole my heart) and made me run to you 

Baby, it’s us.” 

Appears in :

Omar Apollo, “Pretty Boy”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 27 (2022)

3. Dove Cameron, “Boyfriend”

“Boyfriend” • Disruptor / Columbia • 2022

Normally, if a girl is singing a song about a boyfriend, the assumption is that the lens is, well, heterosexual to the nth degree. That is not the case with Dove Cameron, whose song, “Boyfriend,” is NOT straight . Well, the actual boyfriend referenced in the song may be, but Cameron is urging the girl who has a bf to, um, change sides you might say. “I could be a better boyfriend than him,” she sings in the chorus, continuing, “I could do the shit that he never did / Up all night, I won’t quit /… Plus, all my clothes would fit.” Ooh-la-la! Cameron penned “Boyfriend” alongside , Skyler Stonestreet, Delacey, and Evan Blair, who also puts in work behind the boards.

“Boyfriend” brought excitement to playlists everywhere in 2022. Even better, Dove Cameron wasn’t straight about the excitement, if you catch my drift. She’s excited her and her prospect are alone in the first verse, asserting in the first pre-chorus, “The universe must have divined this / What am I gonna do? Not grab your wrist?” Facts! Of course, she gives sound advice, at least from her perspective, in the second verse: “I would leave with me tonight.” Dove sees that her boyfriend isn’t treating her right, and, she knows she could atone and be better than he ever could. It’s an absolutely intriguing theme. Furthermore, Dove sounds great over a jazzy, vintage-pop infused backdrop (shout out to Evan).

Appears in :

Boyfriend: 5ive Songs No. 75 (2022)

4. Tokeyo, “Dick”

“Dick” • Tokeyo • 2022 

“Some big dick the only thing that a bitch want.”  Holy $hi†! Well, Tokeyo (Tokeyo Peterson), at least you are being honest about your desires! Honestly, would we expect any less on a single entitled, “Dick”? “Dick” is about exactly what you think it is (that big dick energy, baby), and if you weren’t sure going into it, Tokeyo makes it crystal clear.  Peterson is incredibly confident and unapologetic over a nasty, hard-hitting beat ( LJ Kappes).  He’s a proud, openly gay man who, quote, “Need a Tyrone like Miss Badu / Got that good, good shit, I’mma find you.” Woo! 

Obviously, “Dick” isn’t intended for family friendly spaces – PERIOD.  Unless your workplace is incredibly liberal and sex-positive, this is the type of record you listen to in the comfort of your home, your ride, a gay club, your air pods – you get the picture! Picture this: “Tryna feel in my gut, tryna bust me a nut.” Give it to Tokeyo – his fearlessness on this gay rap banger, which gets an epic, fittingly gay music video .  Yeah, those guys – they are muy caliente!  

Appears in :  

Tokeyo, “Dick”: After Dark No. 88 (2022)

5. The Other Realm, “All The Cute Boys Are Robots” 

“All The Cute Boys Are Robots” • Big Hat Club • 2022

“All the cute boys are robots / None of these boys are real.” That’s a mic-drop moment right there! The Other Realm definitely has a point.  If you’ve ever messed around with dating apps, you totally understand the sentiment he serves up on “All The Cute Boys Are Robots”.  He continues in the chorus, “All the cute boys have metal hearts / That were never programmed to feel.” Also, true. While The Other Realm is pessimistic for much of the chorus, he looks on the bright side towards the end: “But I shouldn’t let it steal my joy / Cuz one of these days I’ll fall in love / And it won’t be with some stupid wind-up toy.”

The chorus of this pop track summarizes “Cute Boys Are Robots” perfectly.  But, the verses deserve to be highlighted as well. In the first verse, The Other Realm seems to be looking for validation from these lame-ass boys.  “My hair’s pulled back, my chest’s puffed out / And my eyes are open way too wide,” he sings, later adding, “I just want validation that random strangers think I’m cute / I’m trynna get over heartbreak…” Essentially, these lyrics provide more nuance to the reason for the pursuance, if you will. In the second, there’s more insight into the heartbreak, including his ex-boyfriend “Send me photos of his latest fuckboy mistakes / So I go online because I don’t go out /… Yeah, I go online because I want someone to kiss.” Of course, we ultimately know that cute boys are robots, and nothing going to come from a wind-up toy.  All told, “All The Cute Boys Are Robots” is another wonderful addition to the LGBTQ+ musical catalog. The Other Realm nails it on this incredibly enjoyable and honest pop joint.

Appears in :  

6. FLETCHER, “Her Body is Bible” 

Girl of My Dreams • Snapback Entertainment LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2022  

“I found God the moment that I put my lips on yours.” Wow, FLETCHER (Cari Fletcher), I have no doubt that ministers everywhere are cringing and screaming, BLASPHEMY.  Does the pop artist give a flying fizzuck? Of course, she doesn’t: “One touch, sippin’ holy water now.” On “Her Body is Bible”, a highlight from her 2022 debut album, Girl of My Dreams, FLETCHER leaves her Catholicism behind in favor of being true to herself, and embracing her sexuality.

“Amen, oh, her body is bible 

The only heaven that I know.” 

Yup, there’s nothing Catholic about that! The chorus is definitely praiseworthy, just not in the context of a church building! FLETCHER, indeed, “Saw the light,” but in a different context – “at 4 AM we’re dancin’ in the dark / I like your T Swift t-shirt on the ground.” She doesn’t stop there either, continuing to sing in the second verse, “Hold on tight, when the world gets hard, this shit’s like paradise / All night, you’re so hot, I’m freakin’ out.” Wow – that some electrifying love right there! Malay and Sly help her out with some epic production, highlighting this spiritual experience ! This is a song about liberation, being true to self, and obviously, losing the traditional type of religion.    

Appears in :  

7. jaboukie, “BBC”

“BBC” • Interscope • 2022

“Some shit been killin’ me, I had to make an antidote / Midwest hoe, churnin’ out magnum opes / Whoa.” What more can you say but #BARS! jaboukie (Jaboukie Young-White) is a comedian, so, we should take his music with a grain of salt.  On his debut single, “BBC”, Young-White is raw and unapologetic, to say the least.  “BBC” is sexual early on, from the time he characterizes himself as a Midwest hoe to confirming his hoe status, essentially (“Can’t cuff one, keep a couple fellas”). The openly gay artist does not shy away from his desires, sharing plenty of sexual innuendoes, double entendre, and such.   

“BBC” stands for bad bitch coochie. Woo! There is no shortage of pleasure.  “Tossin’ my salad like he toss a brewski” stands out, as does “Dick game put him in a pew seat.” Gah-day-um! It doesn’t stop there, as there is “Dick riding like rodeo / I’m sick of hole, do you mind if we switch to throat?” Hopefully, those lyrics paint a picture on their own, but if you need some terminology, essentially, jaboukie and his partner are switching from anal to oral… Of course, like many rappers, jaboukie touts his skills: “He ya man but I’m hittin’ sushi / Bad bitch coochie.” Oh, snap!  There is more, including the brutally honest, “I came in his ass and his jaw, he spitted…” Even though Young-White is sex-positive, he’s also fed up with the same sex asserting, “All men are dogs, I just need a couple of bitches.” Although it’s raunchy and NSFW, “BBC” is clever.  Showcasing an unapologetically gay jaboukie, he finds intriguing ways to express himself, sex, etc.

Appears in :

jaboukie, “BBC”: After Dark No. 75 (2022)

8. Ian Abel, “Right Hand Man” 

“Right Hand Man” • Ian Janer • 2022 

“I’ve got my eyes on you / You twinky little ginger…” Wow! It doesn’t take long for Ian Abel to express his desires on “Right Hand Man”.  The lust is clear from the start: “The way you wear your shirt so snug / That bubble butt, those nipple studs / That supple chest, those chestnut eyes…” So, are you titillated yet? It’s safe to say on this slickly produced gem ( Carey Clayton) that Abel is true to self and unafraid to be unapologetically G-A-Y.  

Of course, unfortunately, the man Abel is crushing on isn’t waiting for him, dang it! “How could you know that he was waiting patiently / For someone else.” Ah, what a bummer! Despite the fact Abel isn’t able to attain the twinky little ginger that caught his eye, he can fantasize nonetheless, hence why he sings, “But you can use your right hand, man / When you’re on your own tonight.” Woo! Similarly, in the second verse, Abel knows that the love connection won’t happen, but he can’t get past it: “But that look in his eyes has gotta be torture / Based on the way you’re bustin’ out of those shorts.” Jesus! Another lyrical highlight occurs on the bridge, where there is a distinct separation between the verses and the chorus.  Abel is incredibly playful and sassy during this section: 

“Sure, I like to watch and sure he likes to play 

And ‘boys will be boys’ is not just a cliché 

But hands off bitch, ‘cause not today, no 

Who invited you anyway?” 

The theme and lyrics of “Right Hand Man” are the biggest draw.  Still, the production is incredibly slick with gorgeous, rhythmic strings, warm synths, and a strong beat. Abel sings those marvelous lyrics sings beautifully. “Right Hand Man” is relatable, regardless of your sexuality. We’ve all crushed on someone whom we couldn’t have but were free to fantasize about.   

Appears in :  

9. Darin, “Satisfaction”

“Satisfaction” • Dex Music AB / Universal Music AB • 2022

“Loving you is automatic / You’re so good, I’ve got to have it / Build it ‘til I reach that satisfaction.” Ooh-la-la – that is sexy, Darin! Making “Satisfaction” even sexier is the ripe falsetto that the Swedish pop artist sings with – it is on-point to the nth degree. Of course, when your topic of choice is sex, how can you not be pumped up? Clearly, Darin wants it, and he wants it badly! After all, “You’re so hot, give me the fever.” Besides hot lyrics and vocals from a smoking hot, incredibly successful artist, “Satisfaction” is quite satisfactory when it comes to its production ( Luke Fitton). Pop artists worldwide, take notes – this is what a pop bop sounds like!

“I, I don’t know what to do about / The way that I’ve been feeling now,” Darin sings in the first verse of “Satisfaction,” later asserting, “‘Cause I want something different / When I think about you.” Hint, hint – Darin is thinking about the universal three-letter word! Of course, things get a bit scandalous in the pre-chorus, where he asserts, “The kind that makes you hide your wedding ring and take it off / … Make me act bad when I wanna be good.” Oh, snap! The big takeaway is, Darin wants him something fierce! “While we’re young and stupid / Let’s keep it moving I love what you’re doing, doing,” he asserts in the bridge. Making things even hotter is the accompanying music video . All told, “Satisfaction” is nothing short of awesome! Great vocals, memorable lyrics, and, a handsome Swedish superstar – yes, please!

Appears in :

Darin, “Satisfaction”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 35 (2022)

10. FLETCHER, “Becky’s So Hot”

Girl of My Dreams • Snapback Entertainment LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2022  

“Someone saw you out on Friday, saw you walking sideways / Guess you’re gettin’ fucked real good now.” Oh Sh#†, FLETCHER (Cari Fletcher)! Clearly, the LGBTQ pop artist is feeling bitter regarding her ex-girlfriend. Her ex is now somebody else’s girlfriend – Becky –  and like any envious ex, FLETCHER checks out her ex’s new boo! She admits in the pre-chorus of “Becky’s So Hot” ( Girl of My Dreams, 2022), “Fine, okay, I’ll say, I went and stalked her / And I don’t really blame you ‘cause / Damn, the waist, the hips, the face, this is awkward.” Oh, snap – FLETCHER is enticed by her ex’s new girl!  

FLETCHER goes on to admit, “If I were you, I’d probably keep her,” later adding the titular lyric, “‘Cause Becky’s so hot in your vintage t-shirt.” Well now!  In the second verse, she reminisces about wearing that same shirt, however, even though she’s jelly, she knows that Becky looks fine!  The thing is, “Becky’s So Hot” isn’t merely a well-produced ( Malay and Sly), well-performed, and entertaining LGBTQ-themed pop song – it’s got some autobiographical background, per Apple Music. Recapping: FLETCHER is bitter over her ex, who is dating someone else.  She checks out her ex’s pictures, and admits, she’s hot.  You can’t make this up, can you? All told, “Becky’s So Hot” is a brilliantly, entertaining, must-hear LGBTQ pop record.

Appears in :  

FLETCHER, “Becky’s So Hot”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 29 (2022)

11. Years & Years, “Muscle”

 Night Call •  Polydor •  2022    

“All the lights are focused on you / I can hear applause as your body talks.” Ooh-la-la! Please continue,  Years & Years aka  Olly Alexander! “Rumor has it you’re on the loose / What do you adore? / Shall we both explore this fantasy?” On  “Muscle”, sex is clearly on Alexander’s mind: “Don’t leave me now, stay at the party / I don’t wanna leave without your body.” “Muscle” appears on the deluxe editions of  Night Call, the third studio album by the British synthpop act. Notably, Alexander wrote “Muscle” with  Stephen Wrabel (aka Wrabel) and  Joel Little (Little produces as well).  

In the chorus, Alexander plays around with the notion of muscles.  Obviously, there’s a male objectification piece, in addition to strength, and perhaps, a different muscle.

“Say you’re gonna pick me up 

Never gonna put me down 

Are you getting me into trouble? 

Look at all that, that muscle 

Oh, I wanna take a bite 

And I wanna take it now 

‘Cause I wanna get into trouble 

Look at all that, that, all that muscle.” 

Clearly, Olly is enticed by this muscled-up hunk – who wouldn’t be? When providing commentary about the song, Alexander notes gay gym culture and George Michael’s expression of sexual desire as inspiration.  He also mentions wanting “to reference house music but have my fun gay spin on it.” Y&Y successfully achieves the intended effect. As always, Olly Alexander sings superbly and gets a big-time lift from the sleek production work of Little.  The only thing that would make “Muscle” better would be a killer music video, filled with buff, muscled dudes, of course   ! 

Appears in :  

12. Jake Giles, “Glory Hole” 

“Glory Hole” • OctoLimbs Music • 2022 

“I threw down my glass, I told them I’m staying in / Salvation from a stranger to help me begin again.” Oh my! From there, Jake Giles follows up assertively singing, “Glory hole! / Glory hole!” Wow! If you’re unfamiliar with what a glory hole is, Urban Dictionary provides an awesome definition. Just be careful Googling it – you might come up with some NSFW results.  That said, maybe, just maybe, Giles’ “Glory Hole” isn’t, um, appropriate to partake of in many 9-5 jobs! Honestly, this handsome, up-and-coming musician sets the free, risqué, and unapologetic tone of this 2022 single early on. “A moment of release and then it’s back to the war / I put my faith in the hands of somebody else…” Jesus!  

happened upon this glorious, steamy LGBTQ+ gem on an unapologetic Spotify playlist titled, Gay Sex (). Woo! Jake Giles, expectedly, milks the glory hole for every last drop… Um, yeah, that didn’t sound right! Anyways, although the lyrics are sexual, they are clever too.  “I push myself in / To the other side / Grip the walls and / Just enjoy the ride” certainly shouldn’t be played in front of the kids, and perhaps the narrow-minded, but it fits the title and narrative perfectly.  Giles also treats this experience as an escape that’s ultimately meaningless but seems like a necessity: “Tonight, I’m going south / ‘Step to the circle,’ he said / I take a look around – I’m getting galaxy head / It’s just another wall / Another moment of glory.” To that, Mr. Giles, I say, day-um! 

Appears in :  

13. ShyBoy, “Sex Doll”  

“Sex Doll” • The Spaceman Agency LLC • 2022 

“I’m your sex doll / But I wanna be a real boy…” Umm, a different take on Pinocchio, right, ShyBoy? ShyBoy delivers a fun, risqué, and steamy bop with “Sex Doll”.  Perhaps he is shy as his name suggests but there’s nothing shy about this must-hear sexually charged cut. “Sex Doll” was written and produced by , Jason Arnold, Jeff Hoeppner, and , Mark Nubar.  Both the writing and production are strong suits, working hand in hand to produce this distinct musical selection.  

From the chorus alone, I think you can draw two separate interpretations. The first is more literal.  This sex doll, a source of pleasure for this man, desires to be a real man as opposed to an object.  “Who says that you’re not real / When you’re a real good time,” ShyBoy sings at the top of the record, later asserting, “I’m just an object / for you to objectify.” A different read is that this is merely a hook-up, the purported sex doll is merely good for pleasure but not something more substantial or long-term. “It’s ok I know I’m just your little fuck boy / Come around bend you down give you fuck joy,” he sings naughtily, continuing, “Slick it up with some slick talk / Pick it up where we left off.”  Oh, snap! Anyways, the sexual innuendo doesn’t ease up from there with lyrics like, “I can give it ‘til it hurts good, don’t it?” and “I come alive whenever I’m inside.” Geezus!

Appears in :  

14. Perfume Genius, “Ugly Season”

Ugly Season • Matador • 2022

“I’m hideous / Raving / Feeling my fantasy.” Oh, snap – it’s “Ugly Season”! “Ugly Season” appears as the sixth track on Ugly Season, the sixth studio album by Perfume Genius ( Mike Hadreas). Hadreas hits differently on this experimental, avant-garde highlight. Musically, “Ugly Season” has a quirky, reggae vibe. The record feels dirty and horny intentionally – incredibly left of center. Furthermore, it feels very queer – also, intentional, and we would not have it any other way.

Mike Hadreas serves up a performance that is unrefined and not concerned with elegance, finesse, or pitch for that matter. One must listen closely, ideally with the lyrics in front of you, to fully comprehend what he is singing. Early on, as the first verse suggests, the ugliness is front and center. He follows up with an even more sus pre-chorus, asserting, “Turned from God / Sick with rot / Thick as Vaseline / Knee deep and filthy.” Woo! The Vaseline lyrics just feel scandalous, don’t they? “Bitch, it’s ugly season,” he asserts in the chorus, “And I love it.” “Ugly Season” is utterly fascinating. The post-chorus is the section to beat, with its ear-catching lyrics. Furthermore, melodically, it serves as the most tuneful section of the record:

“Notice the tongue

Notice the shape

Don’t look away

Notice the tongue

Split, black, pit

Notice the tongue.”

“Ugly Season” shows a completely different side of Perfume Genius – one that is aggressive. The record thrives from its experimental vibes and queerness.

Appears in :

Perfume Genius, “Ugly Season”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 36 (2022)

14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022 [: Big Hat Club, Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Dex Music AB, Ian Janer, Interscope, Isi Parente on Unsplash, Matador, Mikhail Nilov, The Musical Hype, OctoLimbs Music, Polydor, Snapback Entertainment LLC, The Spaceman Agency LLC, Tokeyo, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Music AB, Warner]

14 Exceptional LGBTQ Songs from 2022 | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on December 9, 2022December 9, 2022