King Princess, 1950 | LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶

In the 35^th edition of LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 (2023), we highlight the song, “1950” performed by nonbinary musician, King Princess. 

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 35^th edition of LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 (2023), we highlight 🎵 “1950” performed by 🎙 King Princess.

“I hate it when dudes try to chase me,” 🎙 King Princess (Mikaela Straus) sings in the first verse of her 2018 song, 🎵 “1950”.  If you don’t want dudes to chase you, then, understandably, that would suck! She adds on the highlight from her EP released the same year, 💿 Make My Bed, “But I love it when you try to save me.” The you, of course, is a lady, just like King Princess is.  Early on, the cards are revealed, and the talented, singer/songwriter is unafraid to be out and proud 🏳️‍🌈! “I love it when we play 1950,” she asserts, referencing a much more conservative, less, queer-friendly era in history.

King Princess is unafraid to be bold – live true to herself 💪.  “So, tell me why Gods look like you / And tell me why it’s wrong,” she sings in the pre-chorus.  Clearly, the artist is awe of this person, as if they were a deity.  Also, while same sex relationships are much more widely accepted, that wasn’t always the case, and still to this day, gets labelled by some as being wrong. It’s also worth noting that Staus proclaimed 🎵 “Pussy is God” in 2018 as well. In the chorus, she sings, with a tuneful melody, mind you, “So, I’ll wait for you, I’ll pray / I will keep on waiting for your love.” Aww 🥰! Straus describes this as moment, though at the time, it was a moment that felt like forever.  The amour! There are many lyrics that stand out, with one being the simple yet telling, “Did you mean it when you said I was pretty?” from the second verse.  Throughout the course of “1950,” Straus sings beautifully.  The songwriting, alongside 🎼 ✍ Nick Long aka Dark Waves is stellar.  The inspiration of a 1950s novel, 📚 The Price of Salt by ✍️ Patricia Highsmith,  makes for a fascinating musical listen. The production by 🎛️ Michael Malchicoff is a win too. 🎵 “1950” is a gem 💎, PERIOD.

🎙 King Princess • 💿 Make My Bed (EP) • 🏷 Zelig Music, LLC • 🗓 2018

King Princess, 1950: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 No. 35 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Zelig Music, LLC; CatsWithGlasses, John Collins, TheQueerAI from Pixabay]