Incredible LGBTQ Songs, Young & Old, Vol. 3 | Playlist 🎧

1. Osvaldo Supino, “Gold”

🎵 “Gold” • 🏷 Osvaldo Supino • 📅 2022

“Every time it makes me stronger / I’m made of gold.” Italian pop musician 🎙 Osvaldo Supino sure knows how to lift the spirit on his single, 🎵 “Gold”. In addition to lifting spirits and showing incredible resolve, the LGBTQ+ artist also knows how to make us dance.  With an exuberant and energetic backdrop supporting him (Supino and 🎛 Riley Smith), Supino delivers a surefire bop everybody can get behind.  He wrote “Gold” alongside 🎼 ✍ Emily Ili.

It’s not all happiness from Osvaldo, at least early on.  “Feel the collapse of the world, got it falling down / On me, on me,” he sings in the first verse.  Similarly, in the second, Supino is ‘on the struggle bus,’ asserting, “It’s overwhelming to convince myself that I’m / Worthy, worthy.” Low self-esteem and feeling like you’re less than others is a horrible yet relatable feeling.  Despite the hell that he’s experiencing, Osvaldo knows that he’s got to turn it around – he’s the best candidate! Despite the bad and blue days, he asserts, with strength, “Yeah, I know I got me, myself, and I / Always find the light / Every time it makes me stronger / I’m made of gold.”  The chorus is the biggest and brightest section of this uplifting dance-pop gem, particularly when Supino shows off his flawless upper register. “Gold” truly is golden by my estimations!

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: June 2022

2. Olivia Rodrigo, “hope ur ok”

💿 SOUR • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 2021 

“I knew a boy once when I was small / A towhead blond with eyes of salt /… His parents cared more about the Bible / Than being good to their own child…” 🎙 Olivia Rodrigo witnessed her debut album, 💿 SOUR, earned several 🏆 Grammys, including Rodrigo’s biggest win being the Grammy for Best New Artist.  The teen concludes her debut LP with a thoughtful record, 🎵 “hope ur ok”. Rodrigo wrote “hope ur ok” with 🎼✍ 🎛 Daniel Nigro, who also produces the record.

“And somehow, we fell out of touch

Hope he took his bad deal and made a royal flush

Don’t know if I’ll see you again someday

But if you’re out there, I hope that you’re okay.”

“Hope ur ok” references the plight of some LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 individuals. It also references dysfunctional family units, and honestly, some truly insightful, realistic happenings.  This is the perfect closer to a truly well-rounded debut album.  “Hope ur ok” gives chills – those goosebumps.

Appears in 🔻:

• Hope: 5ive Songs No. 14 (2022)
• 13 Songs Filled with Hope

3. Myylo, “Pink Boy Heart”

🎵 “Pink Boy Heart” • 🏷 Myylo • 📅 2022 

“Baby I wasn’t joking / I want to hold you tight / I feel my pink boy heart exploding / Whenever you stay the night.” Those lyrics could hail from nobody else but the handsome, talented, LGBTQ+ pop sensation – 🎙 Myylo! The entertaining musician comes through with another bop, 🎵 “Pink Boy Heart”, that keeps it G-A-Y but should be an enjoyable addition to any playlist.

Myylo links up with 🎼 ✍ Christian Fiore (songwriting), with positive results – an understatement! The theme isn’t far-fetched from past music, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.  I mean, wouldn’t there be something wrong if Myylo weren’t writing great songs about desiring boys (“Wrap me up in your arms / I want to be where you are”)? He does a nice job of balancing the tongue-in-cheek and legitimate desire/love goals here (“Just kiss my cheeks / With that sick technique / Then you’ll tuck me in /With my rug burn knees”). Instrumentally, there’s welcome contrast compared to previous singles, which is a win by all means.  The mark of a good musician is one who evolves, and I hear the evolution in “Pink Boy Heart.”  Also, can’t fail to mention that fun music video! Woo! All told, “Pink Boy Heart” is well-sung, well-written, well-produced, and entertaining, all in a tight, two-and-a-half-minute package.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Songs About All Things Pink

4. Asbjørn, “STB x Boyfriend”

💿 Boyology • 🏷 Embassy of Music • 🗓 2022

“Love never kills in Beverly Hills / Long as it ends in dollar bills / Let’s do a swap; money for feels.” 🎵 “STB x Boyfriend” – aka soon-to-be ex-boyfriend – appears as the third track on 💿 Boyology. Boyology marks the third studio album by Danish LGBTQ pop musician, 🎙 Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen).

In the context of Boyology, “STB x Boyfriend” keeps things going strong. Asbjørn references the ‘perfect’ state of California, or at least, the illusion of perfect. Despite the perfection of the places he describes, Terkelsen is struggling with finding and retaining love: “You might as well know how it will end before we start.” He asks his potential, short-term suitor, “Do you wanna be / My soon-to-be ex-boyfriend? / All the power vested in me / I give it to you, no defense.”  Despite the fact things are soon to end, “STB x Boyfriend” is a surefire fun pop joint.

5. The Smiths, “Hand in Glove”

💿 The Smiths • 🏷 Warner UK • 🗓 1984

“Hand in glove / The sun shines out of our behinds / No, it’s NOT like any other love / This one is different because it’s us!”  The eyebrow-raising portion of those lyrics is obviously The sun shines out of our behinds, which sounds, um, sexual. Also, as you dig further into this 🎙 The Smiths classic, 🎵 “Hand in Glove”, it clearly has a queer vibe.  Worth noting that the cover art for the single features a nude man from the back – homoerotic to say the least! Upon reviewing 💿 The Smiths, the band’s debut album featuring “Hand in Glove,” music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic writes, “Marr’s [🎙 Johnny Marr] inventive songwriting was made all the more original and innovative by 🎙 Morrissey’s crooning and lyrics.” He goes on to say they wrote “about unconventional topics [such as] homosexuality,” citing “Hand in Glove” as an example.

Throughout this quick-paced song, Morrissey serves up beautiful lead vocals; I love his tone and energy.  Maybe more compelling, however, are the lyrics.  In the chorus, he paints a picture of a love that is strange to people, hence, adding fuel to the fire of that there is indeed a queer element to this song which Morrissey describes as a depiction of loneliness: “And if the people stare / Then the people stare / Oh, I really don’t know / And I really don’t care / Kiss my shades…” In the second verse, Morrissey asserts this love is something that others don’t have. A line that stands out that he repeats during the verse is, “Yes, we may be hidden by ‘rags’ / But we’ve something they’ll never have.”  The ‘rags’ part references old, torn-up clothes, obviously, but the “something they’ll never have” is open-ended.  Is this a close friendship, a bromance, or potentially a same-sex romance? The third verse is where the queerness seems to go through the roof.  Morrisey asserts, “I’ll fight to the last breath / If they dare touch a hair on your head / I’ll fight to the last breath / For the good life is out there somewhere.”  A life where same-sex relationships aren’t frowned upon and viewed negatively? Seems like a legitimate interpretation to me. Of course, it could be ‘friendship,’ which Morrissey and Johnny Marr clearly shared.   Perhaps the saddest part is when the singer states, “Yes, I know my luck too well / And I’ll probably never see you again.” Hmm, the question is why? The answer? Subject to your interpretation, sigh.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Smiths, “Hand in Glove”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 5 (2022)

6. Jake Wesley Rogers, “Pluto”

💿 Pluto • 🏷 Facet / Warner • 📅 2021

“When I was a kid / Pluto was still a planet / I’m still kinda sad about it, oh.” I totally agree! 🎙 Jake Wesley Rogers’ epic ballad, 🎵 “Pluto”, graces his 2021 EP, also titled, 💿 Pluto.  In the emotional first verse, Rogers reflects on life and his emotional state: “Thought I was the shit / ‘Til someone made me doubt it / I’m still kinda mad about it.” Sigh, there’s an authenticity that Rogers has that is so easy to connect with.  Furthermore, his voice is to die for! The thing is, in the verses, Rogers maintains poise while drawing you in with what affects him.

“I Think of my mom / She loves me no matter what / And that really fucks me up.” So true. Jake raises the stakes and goes ‘all in’ on the centerpiece – the memorably written chorus:

“Hate on me, hate on me, hate on me, hate on me

You might as well hate the sun

For shining just a little too much

Hate on me, hate on me, hate on me, hate on me

Maybe at the end of the day

You and me are both the same

We just wanna be loved, loved

We just wanna be love.”

That hits something fierce, elevated further by a higher dynamic level and Rogers’ ad-libs and nuances.  Also raising the bar is the songwriting, a collaboration between Rogers, 🎼✍ Francis Anthony White, and 🎼✍ 🎛 Michael Seamus Crossey, who also produces.  Crossey puts in serious work behind the boards, yielding ample ear candy.  That ear candy includes keys, subtle, tasteful synths, and soaring strings enhancing the feels.

Appears in 🔻:

• Best Songs of 2021: Honorable Mentions
• Awesome Songs: November 2021
• Jake Wesley Rogers, “Pluto”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 8
• Pluto: 5ive Songs No. 1 (2022)

7. Kevin Abstract, “Seventeen”

💿 American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story • 🏷 QUESTION EVERYTHING, INC. / EMPIRE • 📅 2016

“Football pads became a memory / A bad memory.” Hmm, that’s interesting 🎙 Kevin Abstract.  Early on, Abstract has been incredibly candid and open regarding his sexuality.  He’s gay, and he’s NOT going to stop talking about it.  Sexuality plays a gargantuan role on 🎵 “Seventeen,” a standout from his 2016 solo album, 💿 American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story.

The sound of this two-and-three-quarter minute selection is distinct.  With its guitar and piano accompaniment, and distinct sound, “Seventeen” has a pop/rock/alt R&B vibe. It was produced by Abstract, 🎛 Romil Hemnani, 🎛 Jeff Kleinman, and 🎛 Michael Uzowuru.  More captivating than the sound is the content – the theme and lyrics.  Abstract sings about a boyfriend, capturing the adversity of a relationship for various reasons, which is deep.

“He was everything I dreamed of

Used to ride around in his two-seater

Being friends didn’t make it much easier

…His girl too had to pretend like I ain’t mind that bitch

Just so I could see his face.”

Despite some darker moments, Abstract never fails to deliver beautiful, nuanced vocals. Another lyric that stands out occurs in the second verse is, “Ay, dog, got some problems we could run away from / Search for a tree that you could hang on, stay down.” Oh my… so much to unpack there from the 🎙 BROCKHAMPTON standout.

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs

8. Ben Platt, “Dark Times”

💿 Reverie • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

On his sophomore album, 💿 Reverie, incredibly talented actor/singer 🎙 Ben Platt generally opts for a ‘poppier’ sound.  Even so, select moments of Reverie revisit his sound on his underrated, 2019 debut, 💿 Sing to Me, Instead. 🎵 “Dark Times” marks one of those moments.  This is an expressive, meaningful, and moving ballad that reflects on being different (part of the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈), life, and love.  It’s poetically penned.

“Now, you’re sitting on a secret no one knows,” Platt sings from a 13-year-old perspective, continuing, “You see him after school / He barely looks at you / ‘Cause you’re both afraid that people might suppose.”  On the second verse, Platt is 18, while the third and final verse he’s his current age of 27 (“We’re 27 now / Don’t have it figured out / But at least, no one can say, we haven’t grown”). The production matches the emotional songwriting, using piano and lush strings.  “Dark Times” isn’t like most of Reverie but is arguably its best track and tickles my fancy big time!

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: August 2021

9. Matt Fishel, “Twinks”

💿 M/F • 🏷 Young Lust • 🗓 2018

“Tell me / Whatcha gonna do for love if you don’t know who you are?” On 🎵 “Twinks” (💿 M/F, 2018), British LGBTQ+ pop/rock musician 🎙 Matt Fishel explores the identity crisis of the aging twink.  If you’re unfamiliar with what a twink is, Urban Dictionary describes it as “a homosexual male with attractive, boyish qualities.” Chloe O. Davis provides a fabulous definition with more depth from her awesome book, 📚 The Queens’ English: The LGBTQA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases – you should totally indulge! Focusing on “Twinks” the song, basically as the twink is exiting his 20s, he’s losing himself.

Matt Fishel embraces queerness in his music, adding an ample amount of entertainment.  While an aging twink is a serious identity issue within the gay community, listening to “Twinks” the song, how seriously do you take the plight of a nameless twink? “Is it all over? / Now his twenties are coming to an end,” Fishel sings on the first verse, concluding, “When he’s no longer a twink, will they dance on his grave?” As the song progresses, this twink becomes older, but doesn’t know what part of the gay community he is. In the second verse, Fishel asserts, “All his friends are enjoying other scenes / Bears, cubs, wolves, otters, and queens / While the clubs he frequented are full of twenty-somethings and teens / Makes him feel like some tragic has-been.”  If you’re unfamiliar with all those terms, well, buy Davis’ book! You don’t need to know them specifically though.  All you need to understand is this man doesn’t know who he is and quite possibly, never knew where he fit. Fishel is critical of him for being aloof of how he acted as a twink: “Clinging to youth like a narcissist / He’s isolated himself from his peers.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Matt Fishel, Twinks: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 9 (2021)

10. Hamid J, “Boulangerie”

🎵 “Boulangerie” • 🗓 2021

“I got them cakes, baked, taste great / boulangerie / I got eclairs, for them players, In my boulangerie.” Wow, 🎙 Hamid J.! It totally sounds like a boulangerie I’d enjoy visiting… 🍆. That said, I highly doubt that the LGBTQ Iran originating, Germany-raised, Los Angeles-based musician is talking about edible cakes on his 2021 single, 🎵 “Boulangerie”. The emerging, dashing musician is serving up an enticing loaf of sexual innuendo. With slick production propelling his easygoing tenor vocals, Hamid J is thinking with the love below as opposed to filling his belly with sweets. “You been staring at me all night long / Sipping your drink with a smile that keeps a boy turned on,” he sings in the first verse. Later, in the second, he asserts, “No need to play it coy or shy / So, come on, take what’s urs.” Oh, sugar honey iced tea!

Beyond the verses, there are chorus sections that amplify the naughtiness.  In the pre-chorus, Hamid encourages him to “Take that first step and stumble upon me.” Ooh-la-la! In the indirect chorus, he sings, “I know what you want, you know I got it boy / The way you staring at my derrière / I promise all it takes, one bite you know for sure…” Damn! Basically, the big takeaway is, Hamid is ready for ‘some’, and by some, I mean the universal three-letter-word regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual preference!  Ah, the boulangerie in the hands of the handsome, talented Hamid J is something else, and I’m totally here for it!

Appears in 🔻:

• Hamid J, Boulangerie: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 11 (2022)

11. Joesef, “It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately”

🎵 “It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately” • 🏷 Bold Cut / AWAL • 🗓 2022

“You know I’ve been fucked up; crazy / It’s been a little heavy lately / But you’re the only one who could save me.” Yep, 🎙Joesef just lays it out there on his 2022 single, 🎵 “It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately”. He continues singing in the chorus, “Why is it my heart is open / Only when the red light’s glowing? / But I’ll be yours until the morning…” The Scottish LGBTQ musician has quite a situation on his hands.  He’s covertly dating this guy who happens to have a girlfriend – scandalous, right? No wonder it’s been “a little heavy lately.”

Essentially, the situation is a difficult one for all parties involved.  Joesef, clearly, wants exclusivity between him and his boyfriend.  “All I got is you on my mind / I’m coming up easy,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “Don’t care if she sees me / I need you tonight.” Woo! Similarly, in the second verse, he’s not too keen on the girlfriend, and again, the situation itself: “Where’d you go? / Can you feel the drip in the lies?” Joesef’s biggest statement comes during the bridge, where he encourages his boyfriend to embrace their relationship and cut off his relationship with the girl. There’s clearly something missing:

“Wonder why you’re acting surprised

‘Cause when you kiss her, you know something’s missing

You know that it feels different with me

I guess it must be hard for a guy to look her in the eye

When it’s me who’s giving you what you need.”

Worth noting, Joesef sings exceptionally well, spoiling us with his ripe falsetto.  The production isn’t too shabby either, with its robust bass line, keys, and groove.

Appears in 🔻:

• Joesef, It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 20 (2022)

12. JORDY, “If He’s in Your Bed”

💿 Mind Games • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 🗓 2021

“Waitin’ up for someone / That I wouldn’t introduce to my friends…” Well, 🎙 JORDY, dear, that’s how you know that this boy isn’t worth it.  Perhaps he’s he looks phenomenal in the buff, and the rocket launch is something fierce, but ultimately, IT’S NOT WORTH IT.  That said, the pop musician is young and lust can be hard to overcome without action, but he wouldn’t be singing about it on 🎵 “If He’s in Your Bed” (💿 Mind Games) if he didn’t already know it’s a BAD IDEA.

“I said that in June I’d find love by December / Shit’s still not together, damn…” JORDY has lots to sort through on “If He’s in Your Bed.” To be frank, he knows “these boys ain’t shit.”  Regardless, he’s been in the position where having sex is just a thing to DO despite the fact “I know you’re not as good as my ex.”  Furthermore, he’s kissed boys that aren’t ‘take home to mom’ material, not to mention that it’s nothing more than a physical happening.  Give him credit though – he’s becoming self-aware – illustrated masterfully on the chorus:

“Stop makin’ messes just to hide your messes

You know it’s true

Don’t send that message ‘cause you’re bored

With nothin’ bettеr to do

Don’t cancel all your plans

Just for some shitty head

‘Causе you’ll be just as lonely later

If he’s in your bed.”

JORDY arrives at the correct realizations on “If He’s in Your Bed.” The fun isn’t so fun in the big picture.  ‘Fun’ can’t atone for an ex, ultimately, nor does it make headway to achieve a legit, substantial love.  That love, that the pop star aspires to, transcends that “shitty head” he sings about on the chorus.  Shout out the vocals, songwriting (JORDY, 🎼✍ Riley Biederer, and 🎼✍ 🎛 Jonny Shorr), and production (Shorr).

Appears in 🔻:

• JORDY, If He’s in Your Bed: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 11 (2021)

13. Shamir, “Gay Agenda”

💿 Heterosexuality • 🏷 AntiFragile Music • 🗓 2022

“You’re just stuck in the box that was made for me / And you’re mad I got out and I’m living free.” Those are some telling lyrics, 🎙 Shamir.   The tough-to-categorize musician goes all-in on sexuality on his 2022 album, 💿 Heterosexuality.  Of course, Shamir is not heterosexual, and furthermore, the song at hand is entitled 🎵 “Gay Agenda”.  He continues singing, on the centerpiece of this ‘gay’ joint, “Free your mind, come outside / Pledge allegiance to the gay agenda.”

Well, you can bet conservatives won’t feel this one – WHO CARES, right? Shamir encourages those “stuck in the box” to free themselves – come out and experience freedom.  So often, those who aren’t heterosexual find themselves trying to play a role as opposed to being themselves, afraid to be honest and come out.  Furthermore, those who are heterosexual judge those who don’t feel and love the same way; they need to open their minds.  Over the course of two verses, the nonbinary musician supports being true to self.  Does he really promote a “gay agenda?” Perhaps some will feel that way, but the lyrics aren’t explicitly gay, though speak to close-minded folks’ perceptions: 

“Pray as much as you can, there’s no hope for me

I will see you in hell, I will be bringing the heat.”

“Gay Agenda” is a marvelous way to commence Heterosexuality.

Appears in 🔻:

• Shamir, Gay Agenda: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 10 (2022)
• Awesome Songs: February 2022

14. Orville Peck, “Hope to Die”

💿 Pony • 🏷 Sub Pop • 📅 2019

“Take me back to the time / I was yours, and you were mine.” Sounds like the end of a relationship, 🎙 Orville Peck!  By the way, if you’ve never heard Peck’s music, you are totally missing out.  The Canadian-based gay 🌈 alternative/country music musician, who always wears a fringed masked, dives into a complicated romance between two cowboys on 🎵 “Hope to Die”,  which appears on his 2019 debut album, 💿 Pony.  How complicated was it? “I had to whisper / Because you liked it that way,” suggests the relationship was secret aka remaining ‘closeted.’

There are other hints of the complicated nature of this union, which seems to parallel gay relationships, particularly depending on where they occur.  “Take me back to the world I know/ You were crying / They don’t cry where we go.” The part of that lyric that stands out most is “They don’t cry where we go” which could reference toxic masculinity and the idea that men don’t cry and aren’t allowed to exhibit emotions or show vulnerability.  Also, it might reference the idea that some gay men are viewed as effeminate, not manly enough, and not respected.  Crying cowboys? They don’t exist, right? Secrecy and, say, ‘being discreet’ is key to “Hope to Die,” evidenced by the titular lyric, “Cross my heart, now I hope to die.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Orville Peck, Hope to Die: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 16 (2022)
• Hope: 5ive Songs No. 14 (2022)
• 15 Songs Filled with Hope (2023)

15. Scissor Sisters, “Let’s Have a Kiki”

Magic Hour • 🏷 Polydor • 🗓 2012

“Boots, ten, queen.” Woo! One of the best and most popular songs by the LGBTQ pop collective 🎙 Scissor Sisters is 🎵 “Let’s Have a Kiki”. “Let’s Have a Kiki” appears on the band’s fourth studio album, 💿 Magic Hour, released in 2012. “Let’s Have a Kiki” embodies elements of queer culture, which makes it truly memorable. Furthermore, think of this record as an education to those green regarding gay culture.

Providing annotations to Genius regarding the song, frontman 🎙 Jake Shears does a fine job giving insight.  This includes his experiences with gay clubs and those clubs being shut down by police for no good reason.  🎙 Ana Matronic mentions this lyrically during the spoken word intro (or verse… whatever it is): “So, then I get to the club looking like a drowned, harassed rat and I’m greeted, not by Miss Rose at the door, but our friend, Johnny Five-Oh.” Of course, following Ana’s intro, we step right into the actual kiki, via the chorus: “Let’s have a kiki, I wanna have a kiki / Lock the doors tight / Let’s have a kiki, motherfucker.”

While a “kiki” sounds sexual, it’s a misconception! Sure, Shears speaks of the translations of the word in other languages referencing private parts, but within the context of a song, it’s “a party for calming all your nerves / We’re spilling tea and dishing just desserts one may deserve.”  The killer reference that is Urban Dictionary confirms this: “A party including good music and good friends, held for the express purpose of calming nerves, reducing anxiety and stress and generally fighting ennui. May involve locked doors, tea, and salacious gossip.” Safe to say, Scissor Sisters make a kiki sound like a blast.  If you have never experienced the jubilant listening experience that is “Let’s Have a Kiki,” gurlll, u betta get on dat! This is the Sisters at their very best, and certainly most queer!

Appears in 🔻:

• Scissor Sisters, Let’s Have a Kiki: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 1 (2022)