15 Songs Where Guys Sing About Guys” features music courtesy of Matt Fishel, Ryan Beatty, Troye Sivan, Years & Years, and ZEE MACHINE among others.

Guys often sing about girls – that’s been happening for a long, long time.  Understatement. What hasn’t happened nearly as often is guys singing about other guys.  Sure, there are contexts were say a male country artist sings about his father, or maybe even a best friend.  Walker Hayes sang about a musical idol, Kenny Chesney, on his addictive “Shut Up Kenny.”  But, beyond the aforementioned, what about other contexts of men singing about other men? Man crushes, relationships and heartbreak, and bromances? 15 Songs Where Guys Sing About Guys looks beyond the heterosexual lens and examines songs that explore beyond the expected and stereotypical.  Artists showcasing different perspectives include Matt Fishel, Ryan Beatty, Troye Sivan, Years & Years, and ZEE MACHINE among others.

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1. Troye Sivan, “The Good Side”

Bloom • Capitol • 2018

Addressed to: ex-boyfriend; current boyfriend

“The Good Side” maintains utmost consistency in the context of Bloom. The record commences with an electronic harp-sound synth/sound effect, before rhythm acoustic guitar shifts to a more intimate backdrop.  That initial electronic palette recurs throughout. Troye Sivan sounds refined, thoughtful, and naturally beautiful, amplified by superb vocal production.

Lyrically, he’s honest and open. Centered around love, “The Good Side” is addressed to his ex- and references his new boyfriend. He apologizes for how things went down, singing, “But I sympathize, and I recognize / And baby, I apologize / That I got the good side / The good side of things.”

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2. Matt Fishel, “I’m Totally Obsessed with Him”

M/F • Young Lust • 2018

Addressed to: boyfriend

“He’s in my heart, he’s in my lungs / He’s in everything that I touch / And I don’t know if I’m his salvation / But he feels like a savior to me.” That’s infatuation to the nth degree. Rock singer/songwriter Matt Fishel simply can’t stop thinking about this particular guy.  Throughout “I’m Totally Obsessed with Him,” he keeps his feelings 100.  On the first verse, Fishel asserts, “He wakes me up in a sweat on a Sunday morning / With the prettiest smile I think I’ve ever seen.” Later, in the same verse, he sings, “He’s just too beautiful to let out of my grip / That boy’s so damn perfect, all the other guys hate him.”

Expectedly, given the ‘obsession’, on the second verse, Fishel is even more descriptive, taking fan-boy to the next level.  “He’s got that chiseled jaw and cute freckles on both of his cheeks,’ he sings, continuing, “How I ache when he’s dressed in that chest-hugging vest with his guns out.” Despite as thirsty as Fishel feels, he surprisingly doesn’t cross the line.

Notably, “I’m Totally Obsessed with Him” originally appeared on another playlist, 14 He, She, Her, or Him Songs.

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3. MGMT, “Me and Michael”

Little Dark Age • Columbia • 2018

Addressed to: a boy that is a friend…?  

“Me and Michael / Solid as they come / Me and Michael / It’s not a question now.” Trippy, alternative act MGMT finally returned.  After nearly a five-year hiatus, Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser dropped their fourth studio album, Little Dark Age, in 2018.  One of the more intriguing songs is “Me and Michael,” which seems to be ‘subject to interpretation’. According to the MGMT, it’s meant to be “ambiguous.”  Given the ambiguity, in some respects, it seems as if MGMT could be hinting at a bromance or same-sex relationship or sorts.  Even so, the lyrics don’t fully commit.  Therefore, this easy-going record is open-minded you might say.

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4. Ryan Beatty, “God in Jeans”

Boy in Jeans • Boy in Jeans • 2018

Addressed to: boyfriend aka the ‘god in jeans’

“God is real, he was sleeping in my bed last night / We were naked with the radio on / Played him my favorite song.” Hmm, Ryan Beatty, not quite the same as the hymn “Yes God Is Real,” but to each his own.  Beatty gets blasphemous on the chorus of “God in Jeans,” one of a countless number of highlights from his debut album, Boy in Jeans.  Sorry God… but it’s difficult not to “yield to temptation” for this bop.

“God in Jeans” features a sick, hard-hitting, soulful beat.  This provides as a great anchor to the alt-pop/rock sound. Notably, it’s different from anything else on Boy in Jeans.  Besides the aforementioned, there are more spiritual references on the verses including prayer, joy, preaching, and choir. On the second verse, he seems to address both his boyfriend, and judgmental people as he sings, “Oh my God, you know I need ya / If I’m going to hell, I’m taking you with me.”  There are Christians (not all) who don’t approve of homosexuality, and consider it a ticket to hell.  We don’t have a visual, unfortunately, but the boy definitely wears those jeans well – at least if we go by the audio.

“God in Jeans” also appears on another playlist, God is in the Midst of These 11 Secular Songs.

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5. Ezra Furman, “Compulsive Liar”

Transangelic Exodus • Bella Union • 2018

Addressed to: The world, regarding being closeted

“I’ve got one fatal flaw: I’m a compulsive liar.” Gender-fluid rock musician Ezra Furman delivered a masterpiece with Transangelic Exodus. Among the highlights is “Compulsive Liar,” the sixth song off the album On “Compulsive Liar,” Furman discusses about hiding and lying about his sexuality. Speaking about the act of lying and his feelings, he sings, “And I can trace the habit / To when I was eleven / And I thought boys were pretty / And I couldn’t tell no one.” He continues to impart his story, singing about that “all-protective closet”:

“It opens at a young age: / That all-protective closet / Just lock the door / And settle in among the raincoats / The longer you stay in there / The More you’ll get distorted/ The more contorted all your lies will have to be.”

Deep. Obviously, Furman’s solution is to be honest and tell the truth: “Stand up and turn the doorknob.”

“Compulsive Liar” appears on a couple of other playlists, including 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride and 13 ‘Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire’ Songs.

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6. Years & Years, “If You’re Over Me”

Palo Santo • Polydor • 2018

Addressed to: ex-boyfriend

“If You’re Over Me” features bright, exuberant production work, set in an optimistic major key. Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander is on autopilot from the start, endearing with his charming British accent.  His vocals are clear, commanding, and relatively easygoing and unforced.  Although bright and bubbly, thematically, Olly sings about a previous relationship where his ex-boyfriend doesn’t seem to be over him.  “You tell everyone our love went cold,” he sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “If that’s how you feel then you should go / Don’t come around saying, ‘I still want you.’” On the chorus, he continues the tale of his ex-, who’s giving mixed signals.

“If You’re Over Me” also makes an appearance on the playlist 13 Over vs. Under Songs.

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7. ZEE MACHINE, “If You Were My Boyfriend”

Brainchemistry (EP) • ZEE MACHINE • 2018

Addressed to: potential boyfriend

“I could be your one and all / Pin you up against the wall / And I’d make you feel so safe and sound / Take your picture secretly / Make it dirty just for me / And I’d use it when nobody’s around.” Ooh la la – someone’s crushing hard! Brainchemistry (2018) marks the debut EP from rising California pop artist ZEE MACHINE.  On the silky-smooth, urban-pop ballad “If You Were My Boyfriend,” ZEE MACHINE tells his potential man everything he’s willing to do to be a good partner to him.  Clearly, he’s made mistakes, something he highlights on the bridge, where he delivers some of his best vocals. Here, despite ample flaws (a wandering eye and beyond), he ultimately believes, “If you were my boyfriend,” he’d be a better person and fully committed.  Regardless where your sexuality lies, “If You Were My Boyfriend” is an incredibly relatable, superbly conceived record.

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8. Troye Sivan, “Bloom”

Bloom • Capitol • 2018

Addressed to: boyfriend

“Take a trip into my garden / I’ve got so much to show ya / The fountains and the waters / Are begging just to know ya.” On “Bloom,” South African-Australian pop singer/songwriter Troye Sivan is willing to bloom sexually.  The innuendo is ‘through the roof.’ “I guess it’s something like a fun fair / Put gas into the motor,” he sings on the second verse. Even though “Bloom” encompasses sex, Sivan also highlights the emotions of the experience, which separates it from songs that are merely about empty sex.  On the pre-chorus, he sings, “Hold my hand if I get scared now,” which represents vulnerability, a legitimate emotion associated with ‘the first time.’  On the chorus, Sivan showcases his dedication to his boyfriend, willing to ‘give it up’ because he truly ‘feels some type of way.’

“Bloom” also appears on an earlier playlist that arrived long before the release of the album, 10 Songs Centered Around the Garden, as well as 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride and 15 Notable LGBTQ Songs from 2018.

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9. Matt Fishel, “Bored of Straight Boys”

M/F • Young Lust • 2018

Addressed to: heterosexual males aka ‘straight boys’

“And he can’t help himself from explaining / All the things he does to girls during sex.” Uh oh…

“Bored of Straight Boys” is an anti-straight boy anthem.  Yes, you read right. Matt Fishel isn’t feeling the actions and despicable attitude of straight guys.  On the infectious chorus he proclaims, “And I’m so bored of straight boys / Who only wanna talk football, down alcohol, and hassle women.” He also incorporates same sex references, including, “Somebody didn’t get enough bromance in as a teen, I suppose / Finally getting your chance to enjoy some same sex action with all of your bros.”  And to all the straight boys out there, he’s “…Not calling all hetero boys out/…But we all know those bros who act like dickheads.” Colorful to say the least. “Bored of Straight Boys” also appears on the playlist 14 Songs That Are About Boys or Girls.

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10. Ryan Beatty, “Cupid”

Boy in Jeans • Boy in Jeans • 2018

Addressed to: high school closeted boy crush

“And when we get older / And y’all break up someday / And this is not a secret / Maybe then you’ll say you love me back / But until then I’ll be dreaming about that.” By this point, we know that Ryan Beatty does a great job singing about boys… just about any song from Boy in Jeans could make this playlist.  That said, as the second entry from Beatty, “Cupid”, feels right.  As aforementioned, he’s ‘out and proud’ with nothing to hide.  Filled with vocals with unique effects, he begins addressing his desires: “He’s the only one on my mind / He’s the only one I call when I’m feeling reckless / Tell me that you’re mine.” The second verse is particularly telling:

“Press your lips against my neck / With me you don’t pretend like you’re with your girlfriend / She’s nice but she’s not me / She’s nice but hates me / Date me, I’m just playing / Didn’t mean to say that… / But if you’re down, so am I / I can’t lie.”

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11. Sam Smith, “HIM”

The Thrill of It All • Capitol • 2017

Addressed to: God/religious figure

“Holy father, we need to talk / I have a secret that I can’t keep / I’m not the boy that you thought you wanted / Please don’t get angry, have faith in me.” Much of The Thrill It All sounds familiar in regards to Sam Smith establishing a sound and vibe.  “HIM” maintains that familiarity, but also exhibits a ‘different look.’  That different look goes beyond the high-flying, robust choral vocals backing him.  Smith is both spiritual, praying to God, and opens up about his sexuality (Note: the story isn’t specific to him personally). The message goes beyond Smith’s own status as a gay man; it’s all encompassing.  This is crystal clear on the chorus.

“Don’t you try and tell me that God doesn’t care for us / It is him I love, it is him I love.”

“HIM” also appears on the playlist 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride.

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12. Caleb De Casper, “Good Boy”

Good Boy – single • Caleb De Casper • 2017

Addressed to: boyfriend

“Tell me I’m the only one who can make you scream / When we’re lying underneath the sheets and you’re not being mean.” Caleb De Casper is a songwriter, performing/recording artist based in Austin, Texas who blends ‘horror cabaret’ and ‘full-band theatrical glam rock.’ For his colorful single “Good Boy”, De Casper has a clear set of objectives he wants the listeners to takeaway.  Among those objectives is the concept of the song. According to De Casper, “the lyrics tell the story of a fatal same-sex attraction.” Lyrically, he accomplishes his tale, with nuanced vocals to match.  The Fatal Attraction hits listeners early on in the first verse, as De Casper sings:

“Tell me I’m the only one, who can turn you on / Even though we always ride around with your feelings off.  / Tell me I’m the only one who can light your fire / Even though the way that you act, leaves my matches tired.”

Killed it. That obsessiveness continues on the second verse, growing more intense and suggestive. He brings it all together on the chorus, which is infectious…in a somewhat creepy, sort of way!

“I can be your good boy (I can be your good boy)

You make me a bad boy (you make me a bad boy).”

“Good Boy” also appears on the playlist 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride.

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13. Tyler Glenn, “Shameless”

Excommunication • Island • 2016

Addressed to: Mormon church regarding his sexuality, treatment of the LGBTQ community

According to Tyler Glenn, frontman of the alternative band Neon Trees: “I’ve been fighting off a hurricane inside of me / Here comes waves, waves, waves in my brain, brain, brain / I just wanna feel your body / On my bo-bo-dy, a public enemy.” Glenn, an openly gay, former member of the Mormon church, is open about his sexual desires and tastes on “Shameless”, among many highlights from his debut solo album, Excommunication. “Shameless” is as superbly produced as anything else, filled with electronic components that make it a sleazy-sounding ‘tone poem’ of sorts.  The sleaziness is further amplified by a minor key and a shameless lyrical picture.

“Maybe meet you with a couple friends

This ain’t love, but maybe we pretend

Rent some pornographic movie

And we both know how it ends…”

While Glenn infuses more sex into the “Shameless,” he’s still highlighting prejudices against the LGBTQ population, particularly from the LDS church’s perspective.  Despite such prejudices, he makes it clear, “I don’t give a damn.”

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14. Steve Grand, “All-American Boy”

All American Boy • Grand Nation • 2015

Addressed to: potential boyfriend

“Ripped jeans, only drinks whiskey / I find him by the fire while his girl was getting frisky, oh / I say we go this road tonight…” Steve Grand did something that no mainstream country artist would dare do – he recorded a same-sex love song, “All-American Boy,” back in 2013. Love songs are commonplace in country music, where hunky male artists sing about wooing girls.  Grand is certainly “hunky,” but the object of his affection is male as opposed to female. All said and done, the one thing that truly separates “All-American Boy” from any other country love song is sexual preference. Few country songs address the LGBTQ community. Grand has filled a gap and initiates the discussion.

“Be my all-American boy tonight

Where every day’s the fourth of July

And it’s alright, alright

And we can keep this up ‘til the morning light

And you can hold me deep in your eyes

It’s alright, alright

So be my, be my,

My all-American boy.”

“All-American Boy” also appears on the playlist 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride.

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15. Who Is Fancy, “Boys Like You” (Ft. Meghan Trainor & Ariana Grande)

Who is Fancy – Single • Republic • 2015

Addressed to: boys…

“Boys Like You” is taken from the perspective of a gay male, singer Who Is Fancy (Jake Hagood). “Boys Like You” gives Who Is Fancy the opportunity to share his feelings.  Like everybody else, he has his share of crushes, attainable, worthwhile or not:

“Try, try, try, to follow the rules

I break every one of them with boys like you

My oh my, doing what I always do

Yeah I’m crossing every line to get to boys like you

Boys like you, you, tripping, freaking falling over boys like you.”

Who is Fancy notably gets strong assists from Meghan Trainor and Ariana Grande, two of pop’s biggest stars.  Even bigger is the fact that they appear on a song that breaks barriers.

“Boys Like You” appeared on the original LGBT-related list, 20 Notable Songs Released in the Last Five Years, as well as the follow-up, 26 Notable LGBTQ Songs Since 2010.

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Photo Credits: Bella Union, Boy in Jeans, Capitol, Caleb de Casper, Capitol, Grand Nation, Island, Polydor, Republic, Young Lust, ZEE MACHINE

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