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The 28 Best Songs of 2018 (by Openly LGBTQ Artists)
20GAYTEEN Dominated This Year's Music
2018 is coming to an end but LGBTQ artists have truly blessed us with an incredible year of music. Janelle Monáe gave us a piece of her pansexual heart in Dirty Computer, BROCKHAMPTON nabbed a #1 album, Hayley Kiyoko gave us bop after bop, SOPHIE is Grammy-nominated, and Bredon Urie raised our hopes with another excellent Panic! album.
So here's the best of the best! Discover some new music, relive some tracks you might already know, and strap in for our staff picks for our favorite songs by openly LGBTQ artists of the year! Did your faves make the list?
28. 'Dance To This' - Troye Sivan, Ariana Grande
Nobody’s better at chill, catchy pop songs that get pleasantly stuck in your head than Troye Sivan — except maybe Ariana Grande. Put the two of them together in “Dance to This,” along with its retro “karaoke night” music video, and you can’t really go wrong. - Christine Linnell (@CNell_LA)
27. 'Solo' - Clean Bandit, Demi Lovato
Clean Bandit are experts of dancing through the pain, and this brokenhearted banger shows us how to fly solo and the beauty in rediscovering yourself again post-heartbreak. It also might be about masturbation? Regardless, I'm already here on the dancefloor, sobbing with my hands in the air. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
26. 'Taste' - Betty Who
What can she say, Betty Who just can't stop herself from falling for the fuccbois because, as the song goes over a dirty bass guitar riff, "the worse they are, they better they taste." And in the video, Who makes out with a masculine version of herself in this "vampire fetish rock and roll" track. Earlier this year, Who shared with a fan that she indeed fallen in love with men and women. "Just because I happen to be engaged to a man doesn’t mean that I haven’t found a home within the gay community." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
25. 'Party of One' - Brandi Carlile, Sam Smith
Two of our generations most powerful queer singers just stomped all over our hearts with this emotional ballad begging a lover to forgive them. Even if it's hard and feels impossible to overcome, if you're willing to fight for the relationship, you can rebuild - and isn't that so much better than the loneliness? Carlile and Smith also donated a portion of the profits from the recording to Children in Conflict, Brandi's personal foundation dedicated to raising $1 million for children impacted by war. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
24. 'Without Me' - Halsey
Halsey may be bad at love, but she's good at cranking out bops. In 'Without Me,' the bisexual pop star laments about how worse off an ex-lover is without her and her love, and thats exactly the kind of energy queer people need as we head into to 2019. #dumphim2k19 - Raffy Ermac (@byraffy)
23. 'home' - morgxn, WALK THE MOON
A funky guitar roof, tambourine beat, and ethereal vocals, morgxn and WALK THE MOON's expansive journey finds joy in the home you build for yourself. "It’s taken me my whole life to decide that the need to belong only matters internally," says morgxn. "Trying to fit in is not the same as belonging. Sometimes home is found not at home." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
22. 'Nothing Breaks Like A Heart' - Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus
Country and pop collide head-on in Miley's latest heartbreak anthem about the close of a toxic relationship. In the powerful music video, Miley's takes aim at stan and celebrity culture, her own fame, police brutality, and even gun control as she chants "nothing's gonna save us now" over images of children playing with guns and bullets. If we don't fight to save ourselves from our issues, we're as a human race are surely headed for self-destruction. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
21. 'focus' - leo kalyan
Stay focused on leo kalyan, the British singer-songwriter who's merging his South Asian culture with wavy pop/R&B. Intertwined with ethereal traditional Indian vocal riffs, kalyan brushes aside the distractions - and he's the center of attention. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
20. 'He'll Never Love You (HNLY) - Hayley Kiyoko
While the headphones of my heart are fighting between "He’ll Never Love You (HNLY)" by Hayley Kiyoko and "Without Me” by Halsey, I’ve ultimately got to go with the former. Partly because Hayley basically willed 20gayteen into existence and partly because the novelty of a female artist singing to a girl who is in love with a guy and using all the correct pronouns for the story without it being a cover of an originally heterosexual song absolutely has not worn off yet. Really the whole of Expectations is a jam, but "HNLY" has the musical bounce and lyrical confidence that could stand representative of the album, and Kiyoko herself, just as well as any of the more popular singles. And those lyrics? "You say no one will understand / You wish you could but you just can’t, so / How many days, how many nights / ’Til you realize he’ll never love you like me?" Find me a queer person that doesn’t relate to that frustration. I’ll wait. - Rachel Kiley (@rachelkiley)
19. 'Promises' - Calvin Harris, Sam Smith
Is this the gayest song of the year? Smith gives a glittery homage to vogueing and ballroom culture in the music video for 'Promises.' It opens with black and brown dancers talking about finding themselves through dance and celebration, a glamorous home for many a queer people. Smith asks a one night stand to spend the night over a funky Calvin Harris beat. There's so much to love here, you can't help but get up and dance. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
18. 'Brother' - Grayson
Nonbinary singer-songwriter Grayson's stunning debut is a sonically eclectic anthem begging for liberation and freedom. Grayson's vocals build into a chaotic chorus of voices fighting to break free, but all of them come together to simply say, "we'll get better." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
17. 'Expectations' - Lauren Jauregui
The first of "many personal songs about her experiences with men and women, including a fiery track about girl-on-girl love," 'Expectations' is this ex-Fifth Harmony member's seductive debut single. The sultry song and video juxtapose two Jaureguis, representing the dark and light, whose collision meets disastrous consequences. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
16. 'I'm Sorry' - TWINKIDS
You can finally get that apology your shitty ex never gave you from TWINKIDS, the queer indie who group who's repenting for their past mistakes in love. The dreamy J-pop inspired song is "an emotional blackout, leaning into those feelings that the world is against you, totally wrecking everything and hurting someone close to you because of your own hurt." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
15. 'NEW ORLEANS' - BROCKHAMPTON ft. Jaden Smith
Co-founded by the openly gay hip-hop artist Kevin Abstract, BROCKHAMPTON found commercial success with their latest album iridescence and scored the only #1 album of the year on the Billboard 200 by an LGBTQ artist. 'NEW ORLEANS' is as fearless as it is cocky and brash, and has successfully captured the voice of a scene not often heard in pop music. Jaden Smith jumps in on the audacious chorus, "Tell the world, I ain't scared of nothing/Tell the world, I ain't scared of jumping." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
14. 'Run Into You' - Leland
He's been behind the scenes for some of our favorite pop acts for years (Troye Sivan, Selena Gomez, RuPaul's Drag Race), but now Leland is ready to break out on his own. Hands in the air and probably a little too far gone, Leland spends the runtime of "Run Into You' repeating to himself that he'll be absolutely fine if he sees his ex out on the town. "I won't let your presence bring me down," he riffs over heavy synths, "Or keep me from kissing someone else." Keep saying it out loud and maybe you will convince yourself, Leland, but this dance track is certainly a "fuck you" to your ex that all of us can relate to. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
13. 'If You're Over Me' - Years & Years
Olly Alexander is done trying to stay friends with his exes; it ends up causing more pain than it's worth. In this bubblegum pop track, the Years & Years frontman is finally putting an end to the back and forth, and with the music video, Alexander puts on an apocalyptic performance dismissing all the games - and the boy- once and for all. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
12. 'Girlfriend' - MNEK
MNEK's stunning debut album Language is wall to wall bangers, and with this petty Destiny's Child-inspired track, he's truly bringing "the black f*ggot experience" to pop music. 'Girlfriend' asks the boy he's sleeping with what would happen if his girlfriend found out about their down-low relationship. "Neither you or your story's straight," MNEK digs. "If your girlfriend knew/'Bout me and you/'Bout what we do/Tell me what would she do?" - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
11. 'Say Nothing' - Le1f
My favorite song by a queer artist in 2018 is "Say Nothing" by New York City rapper Le1f. It's off his EP Blue Dream. It sounds like enchanting queer goth rap. Put it on when you want to remind yourself that the people trying to bring you down are posers and nothing to be frightened of, but they should fear you. - Sophie Saint Thomas (@thebowiecat)
10. 'Talia' - King Princess
King Princess seemingly came out of nowhere this past summer with 'Talia,' a cathartic ode to a rough breakup that singer wrote in 10 minutes. The music video shows Talia mourning the relationship with a mannequin who's taken the place of the girl she loved. "If I drink enough/I can taste your lipstick/I can lay down next to you/But it's all in my head." Turn up the volume, grab a box of tissues, and try not to text your ex with this earth-shakingly tragic track that earned our #10 spot. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
9. 'Heart to Break' - Kim Petras
Apart from her distinct musical sound (an mix of contemporary pop, classic '80s, and techno vibes) Kim Petras is a show-stopping marvel of a performer. The German pop star snatched a pop culture crown this year after dropping her hit "Heart to Break," an anthem to all the brave-hearted hopeless romantics out there...such as myself. - Brendan Haley (brendohales)
8. 'High Hopes' - Panic! At The Disco
Who would've thought Panic! At The Disco's best performing single would be in 2018? It's been over twelve years since Brendon Urie burst onto the scene with 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies' and as the last original bandmate, he's still standing and cranking out hits. Urie, who came out as pansexual earlier this year, said the song is about following your dreams, "I spent too long not setting my expectations high enough, worried about how it felt to fail. I hit a point when I realized I had to aim high and fail, fail, fail in order to keep growing. This one is for all of you who helped me go for it all. I thank you." With 'High Hopes,' the rest of the world is finally joining the party. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
7. 'Flowerbomb' - Siena Liggins
Siena Liggins burst onto the pop music scene with this breezy pop track about a hookup with another woman. Undeniably queer and effortlessly cool, 'Flowerbomb' hooks itself in your ear and will have you singing along with the chorus before your first listen is over. "I wanted to write a song that encapsulated the high feelings of sex with someone untouchable because girls like to have sex, too," the Detroit native told Wussy, "and sometimes it’s just a beautiful mess." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
6. 'Doesn't matter' - Christine and the Queens
Christine and the Queen's critically acclaimed sophomore album Chris lives up to the hype. With 'Doesn't matter,' the French singer wrestles with the meaning of life over a heart-pounding beat. "This song is a cathedral with a rhythm as unalterable as white stone," said Christine. "The bass line, I remember playing it for hours, as if to rock myself." The music video is both a war and a celebration, fighting simultaneously for answers, an escape, and peace. Christine and the Queens is not an artist you can simply skip; their songs will haunt you, begging to be played over and over again. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
5. 'Immaterial' - SOPHIE
There's a flood of emotions that boil over when listening to your first Sophie song, beginning with what the hell is this? and landing somewhere around okay, this SLAPS. Experimental dance artist SOPHIE has been making hits for some of your favorite artists (Charli XCX, Madonna) but now their stepping into the spotlight - and has already nabbed a Grammy nomination with their debut album Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides. Fasten your seatbelt before you press play because you're in for one euphoric ride. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
4. 'American Pie' - Shea Diamond
Not everyone gets an equal slice of the pie in this thing called life, and Shea Diamond isn't settling for anything less than what she deserves. With transgender women, specifically women of color, dying at an alarming rate, Diamond's voice is more vital than ever. "Just want my piece of the American pie," she croons over a bluesy guitar and a gospel chorus, "Got you a slice/Where is mine?/Lick my fingers on this thing called life." - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
3. 'What I Need' - Hayley Kiyoko, Kehlani
Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani have both stumbled into queer icon status simply by being unabashedly themselves. And in their latest collab "What I Need," the girls did what they had to to do! Both Hayley and Kehlani both want their lovers to quit playing games and be sure that this love is more than a fling. In the music video that Kiyoko directed herself, we get a heart-thumping will-they-wont-they love story in five-and-a-half minutes with a climax that made all of our gay hearts collectively scream with glee. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
2. 'My My My!' - Troye Sivan
"Oh, my my my," Troye Sivan's first single off his sophomore album Bloom is an exhilarating adrenaline rush of pop perfection. The openly gay superstar channels Madonna in the sensual and flashy music video where he asks a cautious lover to free himself of inhibitions, live in the moment, and simply fall in love. - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
1. 'PYNK'/'Make Me Feel' - Janelle Monáe
There's no other artist who dominated 20GAYTEEN quite like Janelle Monáe, so much so that we couldn't decide which song deserved the #1 spot. Well, why not both?
The bubblegum acid trip that is 'PYNK' is a whole celebration of female empowerment and Black Excellence! Monáe invites us in to explore the feminine side of the gender spectrum and all of its beauty. It's "a brash celebration of creation, self-love, sexuality, and pussy power," said Monáe. "PYNK is the color that unites us all, for pink is the color found in the deepest and darkest nooks and crannies of humans everywhere. PYNK is where the future is born." And just take a gander at those vagina pants? Ugh, her MIND!!! - Taylor Henderson (@cornbreadsays)
"Make Me Feel" is not only an indisputable bop and homage to her former mentor Prince, it’s a bisexual anthem. Shortly after the music video came out, (which playfully depicted Monáe being torn between a male and female lover), the Dirty Computer singer came out as bi/pan in a Rolling Stone cover story. The world isn’t worthy of her music, activism, brilliance, and talent; I swear to God, she better win the 2019 Grammy for Best Album of the Year (for which she’s already been nominated)! - Zachary Zane (zacharyzane_)
The Playlist
Want more? Here are all the songs that made us shake our queer asses this year.
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Taylor Henderson
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!