Years & Years, “Muscle” | LGBTQ Bopz

On the 7^th edition of LGBTQ Bopz (2022), we highlight the song, “Muscle” performed by Years & Years.  

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ring on the B-O-P-Z, like #SLAYYY! LGBTQ Bopz is a column t that embraces, highlights, and celebrates singles and tracks by LGBTQIA musicians.  On LGBTQ Bopz we provide background info and insight into the respective musician(s), as well as analyze + go gaga over the 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 and the BOPZ can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, on the 7^th edition of LGBTQ Bopz (2022), we highlight “Muscle” performed by Years & Years.

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Theme & Lyrics  

“All the lights are focused on you / I can hear applause as your body talks.” Ooh-la-la! Please continue, Years & Years aka Olly Alexander! “Rumor has it you’re on the loose / What do you adore? / Shall we both explore this fantasy?” On the LGBTQ Bop that is “Muscle”, sex is clearly on Alexander’s mind: “Don’t leave me now, stay at the party / I don’t wanna leave without your body.” Ooh-wee!  “Muscle” doesn’t appear on the standard edition of Night Call, but graces both Night Call (Deluxe Edition) and the super special edition, Night Call (New Year’s Edition).  Notably, Alexander wrote “Muscle” with Stephen Wrabel (also openly gay) and Joel Little.

On the chorus, Alexander seems to play around with the notion of muscles.  Obviously, there’s a male objectification piece, in addition to strength, and perhaps, a different muscle.

“Say you’re gonna pick me up

Never gonna put me down

Are you getting me into trouble?

Look at all that, that muscle

Oh, I wanna take a bite

And I wanna take it now

‘Cause I wanna get into trouble

Look at all that, that, all that muscle.”

Clearly, Olly is enticed by this muscled-up hunk – who wouldn’t be? When providing commentary about the song, Alexander notes gay gym culture and George Michael’s expression of sexual desire as inspiration.  He also mentions wanting “to reference house music but have my fun gay spin on it.”

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Final Thoughts

Listening to “Muscle,” a bonus cut from Night Call, Years & Years successfully achieves the intended effect. As always, Olly Alexander sings superbly, and gets a big-time lift from the sleek production work of Joel Little.  The only thing that would make “Muscle” better would be a killer music video, filled with buff, muscled dudes, of course !

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Years & Years • Night Call • Polydor • 2022
Years & Years, “Muscle”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 7 (2022) [: Anna Shvets, Brent Faulkner, Kurious, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Polydor]

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