Perfume Genius, Put Your Back N2 It | Midnight Heat

In the 17th edition of Midnight Heat (2025), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Put Your Back N2 It” by Perfume Genius.

Ah, bring on Midnight Heat ! Wait – it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot at midnight when it comes to this naughty, innuendo, and sex-laden column featuring songs intended for nighttime. These risqué, unapologetic records often raise eyebrows and temperature alike. In the 17^th edition of Midnight Heat (2025), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind, “Put Your Back N2 It” by Perfume Genius.

“Put your back into it / There is still grace in this.” What is there still grace in Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas)? Intimacy and sex… as a gay man. Are eyebrows raised in mentioning sexuality? They shouldn’t be. Hadreas keeps the lyrics minimal but meaningful on “Put Your Back N2 It”. “Put Your Back N2 It” is the 10^th track from Perfume Genius’ 2012 album, also titled Put Your Back N 2 It. Of the album, Christina Lee penned in an article in The Fanzine in 2012:

Put Your Back insists that there’s grace in gay sex, and that his love, boiled down to its essence, is no different from anyone else’s love.

Eloquently stated.  The out-and-proud musician approaches this song therapeutically asserting there should NOT be shame regarding sexuality. He’s damn right.

The song title might be misleading. Without hearing the song, or examining the lyrics, it suggests an aggressive sexual experience.  Furthermore, when it comes to gay sex, it carries a negative connotation.  It’s considered dirty, filthy, unnatural, etc.  Perfume Genius paints a much different picture with his radiant pipes and the undeniable authenticity and sincerity of his performance.  In the second verse, Hadreas asserts, “There is love with no hiding / Nothing you show me –  I will never leave you.” Aww! The chorus, like the verses, is brief but potent: “Let me be the one to turn you on.” The musical accompaniment shimmers, led by the synthesizer of his partner, Alan Wyffels.  “Put Your Back N2 It” is one of the most refined and gorgeous songs about intimacy you’ll ever hear. Homophobes be damned!

Perfume Genius // Put Your Back N 2 It // Perfume Genius / Matador // 2012

Perfume Genius, Put Your Back N2 It: Midnight Heat No. 17 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Perfume Genius / Matador; Francesco Ungaro, Hasan Muneer, Natan, Tazz Vaughn from Pexels; AcatXlo, Aristal Branson, Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay]