Bradley June, GBF | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 38th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2025), we highlight the song, “GBF” performed by indie-pop singer/songwriter Bradley June.

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E 🏳️‍🌈! Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musician(s) and analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome while the songs can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the 38^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2025), we highlight “GBF” performed by Bradley June.

“I’m the one you call when you got a secret,” Bradley June sings in the first verse of “GBF” (more on the meaning of this acronym to come). He adds, “[I’m] The one who picks up any time of the day / You come to me for advice on if he’ll look your way.” So, Bradley, who are you, and why does she call you handsome? Bradley is the gay best friend, of course! As he says himself, “I’ve seen it all.”  Facts 💯! June penned this marvelous pop/rock cut, which features authentic, honest, and sincere songwriting. Sadly, there is pain behind being the gay best friend.  He says it best via IG: “I literally took ‘always the bridesmaid and never a bride’ and made it a gay anthem.” Let that set in.

Sweet rhythm guitar drives “GBF” from the beginning, giving it that pop/rock singer/songwriter feel.  Bradley June eats vocally, delivering a beautiful, nuanced performance.  The melodies are tuneful during the verses.  The songwriting is even more moving, particularly in the second verse, where the plight of being a bridesmaid, the gay best friend, is fully displayed.  “And you tell me one day, that I’ll know what it’s like / To feel the rush of a hand when it touches my side,” he sings, continuing, “As if it would be a miracle to think / That someone in this town might actually want me.” Aww… June brilliantly captures how tough it is to be gay, particularly in a smaller town, where you don’t get the same experiences as straight peers.  The chorus is the centerpiece, featuring another tuneful melody and more stellar lyrics.  Most memorably, June asserts, “No one knows what it’s like to feel their pain / More than the gay best friend / On the sidelines of life’s stage.” Ultimately, Bradley June sings a pitch-perfect song that encompasses the gay experience for many individuals. Some, sadly, never experience being the bride. As he consoles his friend, whom he’s “held [her] hand when it hurts,” he admits, “I’ll do it again.” Hopefully, Bradley, you, and the abundance of gay best friends find their prince. “GBF” is painful to some extent, but also pure pop gold.

Bradley June // “GBF” // Bona Fide // 2025

Bradley June, GBF: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 38 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Bona Fide; Elias Souza, Mario Spencer, Mizuno K from Pexels;  All_CC0_Public_domain, CatsWithGlasses, David, ernestflowerss, Kelly, M. Harris, Marek Studzinski, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]