26 Notable LGBTQ Songs Since 2010 | Playlist

11. Arcade Fire, “We Exist”

Album: Reflektor, 2013

Much ado was made about Reflektor,” the title track from the fourth studio LP by Arcade Fire. “We Exist,” however, features the more transcendent message.  According to the band, “We Exist” “is a reaction to [Jamaica’s] notoriously antigay culture.” It’s taken from the perspective a boy who realizes he’s different (gay).  He struggles 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, giving his son sound advice:

“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 discrimination.  Still, he’s most concerned about losing his father’s support. While Jamaican homophobia is the inspiration, the scenario is unspecific ultimately.  Homophobia exists throughout the world; it’s a cruel, unfair reality within the LGBTQ community. The accompanying music video received plenty of criticism. Laura Jane Grace led the charge, criticizing Andrew Garfield for playing a transgendered person.

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

“Boys Like You” is taken from the perspective of a gay male, singer Who Is Fancy (Jake Hagood).  Despite a greater tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality in recent years, there are relatively few songs about attraction from the gay perspective. “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”

Notably, he gets strong assists from Meghan Trainor and Ariana Grande.

13. Mary Lambert, “Secrets”

Album: Heart on My Sleeve, 2014

Singer/songwriter Mary Lambert doesn’t give a flip about “Secrets”:

“I don’t care if the world knows what my secrets are.”

Lambert is honest about her status in life and the world.  Rather than hide her problems, quirks, and personal matters, she embraces and shares them, going against the grain.

“They tell us from the time we’re young / To hide the things that we don’t like about ourselves / I know I’m not the only one / who spent so long attempting to be someone else / Well, I’m over it.”

She’s blunt about her sexuality, asserting on the second verse, “I can’t think straight / I’m so gay.”  “Secrets” isn’t explicitly about the LGBT community, but the messaging is applicable, specifically in reference to the closet.

14. Kacey Musgraves, “Follow Your Arrow”

Album: Same Trailer Different Park, 2013

Country music is among the least tolerant musical genres in regards to the LGBTQ community.  Even so, neo-traditionalist country artist Kacey Musgraves gives a liberal, open-minded spill on “Follow Your Arrow.”  In effect, she embraces “YOLO.”  Before delivering a ‘bullet’ about sexuality, she opens the record brutally honest in reference to pre-marital sex. The chorus grows more progressive:

“So, make lots of noise / Kiss lots of boys / Or kiss lots of girls if that’s something you’re into / When the straight and narrow gets a little too straight / Roll up a joint, or don’t / Just follow your arrow wherever it points…”

Unsurprisingly, it created a stir upon its release.  Regardless, Musgraves claims that her fan base has embraced it.  Apparently, the record wasn’t controversial initially, but expanded to include the bi-curious, lesbian reference.

15. Troye Sivan, “BITE”

Album: Blue Neighbourhood, 2015

“Don’t you wanna see a man up close? / A phoenix in the fire.”

Troye Sivan delivered a gem with his full-length debut album, Blue Neighbourhood. Blue Neighbourhood masterfully captures his experiences as a gay male coping with being different.  One of the most distinct records is “BITE,” which literally has a bite about it, sounding suspect. The suspect sound is the effect Sivan desired. According to an interview with Pop Buzz, Sivan stated, “‘BITE’ is about my first time in a gay club.” He goes on to describe the chaotic atmosphere, asserting he “wanted to capture the chaos”:

“… [I was] taken aback by the sticky floor, the shirtless men, and everything else.”

Lyrically, “BITE” grows progressively sketchier.

“The rapture in the dark puts me at ease / The blind eye of the storm / Let’s go for a walk down Easy street / Where you can be reborn.”

“BITE” is a statement about losing virginity in regards to a life experience. For Sivan, it marks a rite of passage in his life as a gay man. It parallels a number of first experiences. Everyone won’t relate to “BITE,” but it has relatable aspects regardless of one’s ‘walk in life.’