20 Notable LGBT Songs Released In The Last Five Years | Playlist

These 20 LGBT-related songs, released between 2011 and 2016, transcend trends, eschew conformity, and spread messages of acceptance, tolerance, and unity.

Music is a powerful force that is utilitarian with numerous purposes.  The impact that it can have politically and socially is elephantine. It can be the catalyst for unification as well as a source for the utmost polarization.  In 2016, much of mainstream music fails to examine “the bigger picture,” embracing trends and tiresome conformity.  Sometimes, the biggest impact comes from artists who push the envelope – break barriers – or strive to be transcendent and meaningful in the music they share with the world.

The songs that grace this list – 20 Notable LGBTQ Songs Released in the Last Five Years – look beyond the trends, eschewing conformity.  The artists who “parent” these records have “the bigger picture” in mind, spreading a message of acceptance, tolerance, and unity. Here, 20 LGBTQ-related songs released between 2011 and 2016 are examined, detailing their message and impact socially.

This article isn’t intended to promote any agenda – it’s an examination into subject-matter that has progressively gained more traction in the mainstream.  Discussion of LGBTQ issues and rights are a gargantuan part of social and political debates and discussions.  Unsurprisingly, they those issues play a role in music.  As the old saying goes, “nothing is new under the sun.”  This is a new brand of socially-conscious music.

1. Tyler Glenn, “G.D.M.M.L. GRLS”

[Excommunication, 2016]

“G.D.M.M.L. GRLS” definitely sounds like something that Neon Trees’ frontman Tyler Glenn needed to get out of his system.  Glenn gets personal about his sexuality and the hurdles associated with being gay. The heavily produced record is intense, matching the sentiment of the singer. He’s seemingly become disillusioned with the Mormon church, who denounce homosexuality.

“They wanna talk about my sin / they wanna say I’ve lost my sh*t / I’m losing my religion / and I just can’t get over it, over it.”

On the chorus, Glenn makes it clear he can’t change his sexual preference – he was created the way that he is:

“I keep on hearing evil voices, voices / yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah / they keep on messing with my choices, choices / I keep on telling them / Hey, God didn’t give me alternative, no / when she put me on the earth / God didn’t make me like girls / God didn’t make like girls.”

Glenn brings home his point on the bridge:

“Gay’s not a challenge that I’ll overcome / not a thing to be tolerated / if I kiss a boy, I’m gonna kiss, that cool? / am I f*cking up your day? Now that’s just rude…”

While Glenn speaks from a Mormon perspective, numerous churches and religions have harsh criticism for homosexuality.  Many churches cite Biblical text as the source, with Sodom and Gomorrah leading the charge. Swap out Mormonism for various religions or communities and homophobia occurs. His message, hence, resonates with other members of the LGBT community, and many others.

2. Demi Lovato, “Cool for the Summer”

[Confident, 2015]

Demi Lovato is an unapologetic pop star to say the least.  Knowing Lovato is open-minded makes the fact that “Cool for The Summer” is ‘controversial’ unsurprising.  That said, many may have missed why “Cool for the Summer” is bold. Examine the lyrics, and there seems to be reference to bi-curiousness and lesbianism:

“Tell me what you want / what you like / it’s okay / I’m a little curious too…I can keep a secret, can you?”

Beyond the first verse, things clearly grow more lustful, 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 curious experimentation:

“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 exclusive straight, exclusively gay, or decidedly bisexual.  Apparently, there is even a Purple-Red Scale for determining sexuality… Back to the song, since it is only cool for the summer, Lovato paints this as a fling that’s unlikely to continue.

3. Tegan and Sara, “Boyfriend”

[Love You To Death, 2016]

Twin sisters Tegan and Sara are both openly gay – no news there. On 2016 single “Boyfriend,” the duo is able to maneuver the heterosexual pop world (commercially) while making a notable statement in LGTB circles.  Examine “Boyfriend” from the surface, and the song seems cliché, built on platitudes that have been lyricized for years.  Understanding that the duo is gay, adds a deeper, more meaningful social message.  It’s a big wrinkle.

The messaging entails numerous scenarios encompassed within the LGBT community. That includes relationship roles (best friend vs. boyfriend or girlfriend) and balancing the transition from a heterosexuality to homosexuality. In other words, being closeted vs. being out of the closet. The chorus is most significant:

“You treat me like your boyfriend / and trust me like a… like a very best friend / you kiss me like your boyfriend / you call me up like you want your best friend / you turn me on like you want your boyfriend / but I don’t want to be your secret anymore.”

Ultimately, “Boyfriend” paints a picture of unfairness within relationships.  One person can’t seem to decide if they are “in” or “out,” and it toys with the feelings of the person who’s “in,” but is being wronged.  Complicated!

4. Arcade Fire, “We Exist”

[Reflektor, 2013]

Sometimes, it’s easy for certain songs on an album to be overshadowed.  In the case of Arcade Fire’s 2013 LP Reflektor, much ado was made about the title track.  Another exceptional song from the double album was “We Exist,” which features a message that transcends that of the title track.  According to the band, the record “is a reaction to [Jamaica’s] notoriously antigay culture.”

“We Exist” comes from the perspective a boy who realizes he’s different.  He’s different in regards to being gay.  He seems to struggle with acceptance from the world and fears the reaction of his father:

“But we exist / Daddy it’s true / I’m different from you / but tell me why they treat me like this? / if you turned away / what would I say? / not the first betrayed by a kiss.”

His father’s reaction seems supportive.  Minimally, Dad gives sound advice on the chorus:

“Maybe it’s true / they’re staring at you / when you walk in the room / tell ‘em it’s fine / stare if you like.”

The protagonist goes on to depict the discrimination throughout the second verse:

“They’re down on their knees / begging us please / praying that we don’t exist.”

He seems most concerned about losing his father’s support because he’s gay:

“Oh Daddy, don’t turn away / you know that I’m so scared / but will you watch me drown? / you know we’re going nowhere…”

While Arcade Fire uses Jamaican homophobia as the inspiration for “We Exist,” this scenario isn’t truly specific in the big picture of things.  Homophobia exists throughout the world and it is a reality that the LGBTQ community has to face, as cruel and unfair as it is.  The accompanying music video for “We Exist” received plenty of criticism.  Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!) led the charge, criticizing Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield playing a transgendered person.

5. Declan McKenna, “Paracetamol”

[Liar (EP), 2016]

“Paracetamol” is arguably the most moving song from Liar, an EP by up-and-coming British singer/songwriter Declan McKenna.  Situational, numerous relevant topics are covered throughout the song.  McKenna references suicide early on:

“…A boy, fifteen with a gun in his hand / and the people with no audience say should be hanged.”

Later, he shifts the narrative to a girl of the same age:

“…A girl, fifteen, with her head in a noose / because she’s damned to live, well she’s damned to choose.”

The significance of the girl leads to the subject of love. Love takes on a number of meanings contextually, including acceptance, embracement, and various relationships.  “Paracetamol” was influenced by the death of Leelah Alcorn, an Ohio transgender teen whose story affected the world.  This record is aimed at building respect and acceptance of the LGBT community.

The record is named “Paracetamol” likely because Paracetamol is a pain reliever and McKenna seeks to ease the pain of a troubled community. Despite his youth, McKenna is incredibly mature, showing more maturity than people three and four times his age.  “Paracetamol” graced a previous playlist, 10 Recent Meaningful Songs Worth Spinning, published July 5, 2016.