Reading Time: 19 min read

6. Demi Lovato, “Cool for the Summer”

Album: Confident, 2015

Demi Lovato, Confident © HollywoodDemi Lovato is an unapologetic pop star to say the least.  Understanding her open-mindedness makes the controversy surrounding “Cool for The Summer” unsurprising.  What makes the record bold are references 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?”

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.  Apparently, there’s even a Purple-Red Scale for determining sexuality… Since it’s only “cool for the summer,” Lovato considers this to be a fling. 

7. Alicia Keys, “Where Do We Begin Now”

Album: HERE, 2016  

Alicia Keys, HERE © RCA“How many know this love song? / How many times it goes wrong?”

Unfortunately for Alicia Keys, her sixth LP, HERE, didn’t exactly ignite up the charts.  Nonetheless, the album has some compelling moments, including her socially-conscious “love is love” anthem, “Where Do We Begin Now.” Perhaps another socially-conscious gem, “Blended Family (What You Do for Love)” drew attention away from “Where Do We Begin Now,” which is clearly about a same-sex relationship.

“What they gon do ‘cause we the same sex? / And we spendin’ all this time / This could be the love we ain’t made yet…”

Keys goes on to place emphasis on the love that ultimately, “feels right”:

“I had a dream about you last night / Then it kinda blow my mind / All I really know is that it feels right / And I gotta live my life.”

8. Tegan and Sara, “Boyfriend”

Album: Love You to Death, 2016

Tegan and Sara, Love You to Death © Warner Bros.Twin sisters Tegan and Sara are both openly gay. On “Boyfriend,” the duo is able to maneuver the heterosexual pop world, while making a notable statement in LGTB circles. “Boyfriend” seems cliché from the surface, built on platitudes that have been lyricized for years.  However, given the homosexuality of Tegan and Sara adds a deeper, more meaningful social message.

The messaging entails a numerous scenarios encompassed within the LGBT community: relationship roles (best friend vs. boyfriend or girlfriend) and balancing the transition from hetero- to homosexuality. Hence, it explores closeted vs. being out of the closet.

“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 is undecided on being “in” or “out,” toying with the feelings of person who’s “in” but being wronged.  Complicated!

9. Tyler Glenn, “Devil”

Album: Excommunication, 2016

Tyler Glenn, Excommunication © Island“Sunday mornings make me nervous / They don’t feel like they used to feel / My religion feels wrong, but I can’t tell my mom / I’m afraid that my words would kill.”

Cutting to the chase, Tyler Glenn, frontman of Neon Trees, was pretty pissed off on his debut solo album, Excommunication.  The album focused on his break with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka the Mormon Church.  The main reason for this break was Glenn’s homosexuality.  Disappointed by being unaccepted by the church as a gay man, naturally, he left.  One of the biggest instances of his newfound skepticism towards religion comes at the end of Excommunication, “Devil.”

“I think I still believe in Jesus / He’s a friend when I choose to pray / But my demons get me high, ‘til I’m burning all the time / Yeah, they never wash my sins away.”

One never gets the impression that Glenn is an atheist now – there’s still something there. But, he has clearly lost faith.

“I swear I still believe in something / But I couldn’t pray the gay away.” 

10. Declan McKenna, “Paracetamol”

Album: What Do You Think About the Car? 2017

Declan McKenna, What Do You Think About the Car? © ColumbiaParacetamolis arguably most moving song from What Do You Think About the Car? the debut album by British singer/songwriter Declan McKenna.  Situational, numerous relevant topics are covered throughout the song, including suicide.

“…A boy, fifteen with a gun in his hand / And the people with no audience say should be hanged /…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, which 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. Paracetamol is a pain reliever. McKenna seeks to ease the pain of a troubled community.

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