LGBTQ: Songs to Fall in Love to This Valentine’s Day
If you’re looking to stir up some romance this Valentine’s Day here are some songs to fall in love too, LGBTQ addition!
‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ by Tatiana Manaois
A ukulele softly breezes through, Manaois's elegant vocals create an atmosphere of familiarity and closeness. This melody is a lost message in a bottle asking fate to return a departed true love with Manaois’s call. She sings, “It’s been a long, long time / I kept this message for you, girl / But it seems I was never on time.” Her lyrics ring with sincerity and remembrance. “Turn your lights down low / Never ever try to resist, oh no / Oh let your love come shinin’ in / Into our lives again.” You can hear her hope and vulnerability in every line. Maybe the one that got away doesn’t have to make it too far.
2. ‘Naked in Manhattan’ by Chappell (Explicit)
A sexual awakening, she felt it coming a million miles away. Ambitions fade as the party goes on and touching becomes inevitable. Roan sings, "Boys suck, and girls I've never tried / And we both know we’re getting drunk tonight / touch me, baby, put your lips on mine.” This song gloriously describes a euphoric moment of sexual epiphany and has a beat that leaves the listener feeling fun, fierce and flawless. Our story starts with a hinting high from slumber party kissing, then remembering feelings from a lesbian sex scene and eventually becoming so overwhelmed with the electricity a simple question is asked. She sings, “I wanna know, baby, what is it like? / I know you want it, baby, you can have it / Oh, I’ve never done it, naked in Manhattan.” It’s worth it to take a chance for love. (Image Credit: "Chappell Roan @ Hollywood Palladium 11 18 2022 (53886573161)" by Justin Higuchi is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)
3. ‘Nauseous’ by Conan Gray
This earnest declaration of a song melts through anyone's tough exterior. With lyrics like, “Your love is a threat and I’m nauseous / Scares me to death, how I want it.” Any individual with avoidant tendencies is left with all roadblocks down. The opening scene is a couple slow dancing as we trek deeper into the cinema of Gray's internal monologue. “Maybe that’s why I feel safe with bad guys / Because when they hurt me, I won’t be surprised.” He feels safe but struggles to let this partner in. His words tear open any closed heart and lead to a path of disillusionment and healing. This melody envelopes a beautiful climax of an individual learning to love and trust again.
4. ‘1950’ by King Princess (Explicit)
Exceptional production value compliments an atypical backing beat and flowering vocals. According to Billboard, “‘1950’, [is] Inspired by Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 book, The Price of Salt, which depicts a lesbian love story.” Back in time, love had to be hidden and we can be grateful everyday to live in a different world. Princess compares her secret feelings of love to being afraid to speak like back then. They sing, “I like it when we play 1950 / so bold, make them know that you’re with me.” Although we’ve made a lot of progress as a society, hesitation for outward expression is understandable. Princess revels in this partner's lack of inhibition reminding us all to be with someone who wants to show us off.
5. ‘Do U Mind?’ by Evann McIntosh
The opening is soft and intimate. McIntosh’s soulful voice warms this tinkering ode to beauty. They sing, “Do u mind? / If we were just open for a minute / So I could tell you just how beautiful you are?” A moment of truth erupts as McIntosh shares their deepest feelings of love for this lucky individual. This kind of courage is inspiring. There is no holding back as McIntosh leaves everything on the table. “I / Try to settle down / I’ll be just / Fine as long as you’re around.” Tell your crush how you feel this Valentines Day!
"Kehlani Time Festival 2016 (04)" by The Come Up Show is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
6. ‘Honey’ by Kehlani (Explicit)
A crisp acoustic guitar starts the song accompanied by Kehlani’s dripping vocals. Flowering lyrics talk about imperfect love and facing your flaws. She sings, “I’m a beautiful wreck / A colorful mess, but I'm funny.” Backing vocals add a velvet undertone as Kehlani daydreams about her ideal woman. “I like my women like I like my money; green / a little jealous.” This stripped serenade rocks you slowly like a hammock in the summertime. References to The Beatles song, ‘All You Need Is Love’ praises this all encompassing message in the outro. Kehlani promises to take her girl just how she is, maybe a little sweet and a little selfish.
7. ‘Chanel’ by Frank Ocean (Explicit)
Seeing on both sides like Chanel shows a sensuality and desire for two genders. A jigsaw beat lays the groundwork for Ocean’s lascivious vocal melody. He sings, “My guy pretty like a girl / And he got fight stories to tell.” Tough and pretty is Ocean’s type cast lover here. The song embraces the complexities of bisexuality and fame. “I know you need to try for my belt / I know you seen it driving itself.” This rather explicit song flings anyone into a tunnel vision of lustful longing.
8. ‘Come Over’ by The Internet (Explicit)
The intro brings you into the pin ball machine thoughts of a woman needing to see her lover. Overlapping vocals end with ‘call me’ repeated in a desperate plea. Sydney Bennett, lead singer of The Internet, is dropping hints like it’s going out of style. We are brought into a scene we’ve all seen before, home alone with an open crib and thinking about the one person that could make your night. She sings, “Home alone / For the night / … / Puppy love / Butterflies / Made you blush.” Bennett wants to get it on and isn’t shy about it. Soulful soft vocals backed by a flicking beat set the mood in a confident, fun way. (Image Credit: "Valentines Day Cards" by Mark Gstohl is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)
