Kadie Elder, First Time He Kissed a Boy | LGBTQ Bopz

In the 33^rd edition of LGBTQ Bopz (2023), we highlight the song, “First Time He Kissed a Boy” performed by Kadie Elder. 

Be prepared to #SLAY! LGBTQ Bopz embraces, highlights, and celebrates singles and tracks by LGBTQIA musicians or allies.  In this column, we provide background and insight into the respective musician(s), as well as analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops being served up.  Furthermore, when the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is articulated to the fullest.  All styles of music are welcome while the BOPZ can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the 33^rd edition of LGBTQ Bopz (2023), we highlight “First Time He Kissed a Boy” performed by Kadie Elder.

“First time he kissed a boy / He had never, never known / ‘Cover up’ is what they told / Feel so cold.” Sigh, homophobia is rampant – far too prevalent.  While boys kissing boys has become more accepted since Kadie Elder released their single, “First Time He Kissed a Boy” on October 11, 2014, it’s still not smooth sailing for gays and other members of the LGBTQ community. 2023 has been a tough year for the community in particular. Cover up should NOT be the answer, yet that’s what he’s been directed to do by society, unfortunately.  Back up to the first verse of this slickly produced, fabulously performed record, and the protagonist tries to use music as an escape: “Troubled face / Headphones on / Forgetting time and place / All he wanted.” Of course, you can only escape so much before it all catches up and comes to a head, sigh.

Ultimately Anders Rask (singer and songwriter) and Morten Kærup Hjort (guitarist, songwriter, and producer) would release “First Time He Kissed a Boy” as the fifth and final track on their 2016 EP, BOY. Unsurprisingly, this LGBTQ bop is the duo’s most popular song. Rask and Hjort wrote the song, while Hjort produces alongside  Søren Vestergaard.  The second verse is both poetic and sad: “Keeping back / The ghost inside / Locked him in a pack / All his life / All his life.”  The homophobia hits different this round – internalized.  Shame is far too prevalent in the LGBTQ community, and the second verse captures unhealthy supersession.  The good news is, watching the awesome music Video , the two boys ultimately take a leap of faith and share a kiss , and the song itself also moves past detrimental homophobia with the lyrics, “Get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost.”

“First Time He Kissed a Boy” is nearly a decade old. Even so, this Kadie Elder still hits home, and maybe you’d never heard it until nearly a decade later. Those who are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, please, please treat members of the community with respect, the same way you’d want to be treated. Don’t degrade them because you don’t agree with or understand their sexuality or how they differ from you. It takes so little to treat each and everybody with respect.  Even better, become an ally! And, to all members of the community, I wish you a life where you can live authentically, happy, and true to self without fear.  What better song to celebrate National Coming Out Day.  Remember, love is love.

Kadie Elder • BOY • Nordic Music Society • 2016

Kadie Elder, First Time He Kissed a Boy: LGBTQ Bopz No. 33 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Nordic Music Society; CatsWithGlasses, John Collins, TheQueerAI from Pixabay]