Joseph Jarrett

If you have ever had the pleasure of knowing a queer person, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they have tried to educate you on their music taste. It’s a canonical event, actually. The gays watch music videos at the same intensity level as an Olympian trains for their respective race. I am incredibly guilty of that. I vividly remember a night I spent at my friend Birdie’s house. I am a raging gay man, and Birdie is a ferocious lesbian. We spent probably six hours showing each other music videos that expressed our personalities and sexuality to a tee.

            Today, I want to give everyone the opportunity to experience this life-altering event. I am going to break down some songs that I believe belong to the queer community, even though their artists may not have intended for it. You don’t have to agree with me on my opinions, but you should definitely go in with an open mind.

“Leak It” by FLO

            I am praising the heavens for giving us a girl band to obsess over for the summer! I had not actually heard of FLO prior to the release of this song, and I discovered this one through a gay content creator on TikTok. That thirty-second snippet was more than enough to get me in. The bait-and-hook method wins again. “Leak It” explores the fantasy of baring all of your confidence, putting it out into the world, and not considering the consequences of it because it feels so damn good. Is that not exactly what happens after someone comes out? After coming out, you experiment until you figure out your identity, find your people, and begin living life to the fullest. I don’t know about you, but the connection is there.

My favorite line in the song (that feels queer by default) is “To trappin’ thirsty motherfuckers, I pledge my allegiance!” (If you know, you know!)

“Free” from K-Pop Demon Hunters

            When I tell you that I absolutely sobbed my eyes out the first time I heard this song, I mean that I had full-blown waterfall action coming from my eyes. While Rumi and Jinu are battling their inherent nature against what they want, this song is incredibly applicable to what queer people experience as they consider coming out. When I look back on my own coming out experience, I struggled immensely with how and when I would do it. I had no one to ask for advice about it, as I had no gay men in my life, and I was a teenager in a small Catholic high school. I eventually learned after I came out that there were plenty of others like me in our tiny class. If only we could’ve done it together. Maybe then it wouldn’t have been so terrifying.

My favorite line in the song (that feels queer by default) is “What if we both tried fighting what we’re running from? We can’t fix it if we never face it.”

“Secret Love Song, Pt. 2” by Little Mix

            Now, this one varies from the rest, as it actually has been used in a queer-context by the performing group, but it’s still relevant (I’ll link an article explaining after everything). Something else that I would consider canonical is falling for a person you can never love out loud, but only behind closed doors. If you read Mishaps & Mistakes, I would compare this song to my situationship with Gabe. When I was with him, time stood still, and everything was sunshine and rainbows. When I was away from him, and when I let reality seep in, it was borderline traumatizing how hidden and lowly that relationship made me feel. No one should ever have to handle the pain of loving someone who can never love you properly. Unfortunately, it is something we all must endure to understand what we deserve and what we do not deserve. This song pans out that hurt so beautifully, which makes it a staple on a queer person’s crying playlist.

My favorite line in the song (that feels queer by default) is “You and I both have to hide on the outside where I can’t be yours, and you can’t be mine.”

“I Knew It, I Know You” by Gracie Abrams

            This is another song I listen to when I have an emotionally-charged outburst every Thursday, which is also an underrated hit. And before you ask, no, my emotional outbursts are not limited to just Thursdays. This is the kind of song you listen to when you’re finally over the heartache a person caused you. Historically, and even presently, queer people are known for being there for everyone with open arms and an open heart whenever needed. Even when at their lowest, they’ll still pour all of their energy into ensuring those in need are taken care of. I have loved a lot of people in my life, and many of them are no longer in my life. Some by choice, some not. Though I have times I wish I could have them back, I know it’s for the better. Gracie hits the nail on the head with recounting what this sensation feels like down to the bone. It’s a song I fall back on often for comfort, to not feel so alone in those times I reminisce on past loves.

My favorite line in the song (that feels queer by default) is “And all I ever did was consider you, until all I could do was consider me.”

So, those are my hot takes on this discussion. And trust me, this list does not end here. I could make a full-out series about secretly queer-coded music and media. Maybe I will. Who knows? What songs come to mind for you? Did we have any overlap, or are our playlists so vastly different? Let me know!

For those curious, here’s an article from Pink News about Little Mix’s 2019 performance of “Secret Love Song, Pt. 2” in Dubai: https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/03/25/little-mix-perform-rainbow-flag-dubai-gay-sex-illegal/