For centuries, love stories — in the form of songs, plays, books or films — have used the concept of “forbidden love” as a narrative device to heighten the tension and drive a story forward. So, should it really come as a surprise that LGBTQ artists write some of the best love songs around?
After all, queer folks were told on a regular basis throughout history that their way of loving was wrong (let’s be honest — in many cases and places, we are still being told that). So when given a platform to express themselves openly, it’s no wonder that LGBTQ talents have penned or performed exceptionally moving, deeply affecting love songs. Look no further than Melissa Etheridge’s “Come to My Window” or George Michael’s “Fastlove” for proof.
In recent years, as queer artists have gained more mainstream visibility in the music industry, the content of queer love songs has noticeably shifted in new, bold directions. No longer relegated to writing non-specific ballads of generalized longing, queer artists starting using proper pronouns for their lyrical lovers more regularly, explicitly spelling out the dynamics of relationships and taking the opportunities afforded to straight artists for years to sing frankly about sex and desire. Some of those songs have even gone on to top the Hot 100, making history for the LGBTQ community.
With so many gay love songs to choose from, Billboard decided to offer some help. Below, we list out 30 of our favorite gay love songs — specifically in which men sing about loving men — ranging from sensual dance bangers to tender pop ballads.
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Troye Sivan, "Lucky Strike"
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Queer pop’s golden boy Troye Sivan is a master of crafting songs about queer relationships, and this one is no exception. “Lucky Strike” shimmers with dreamy synths while Troye confesses to his lover all of different reasons he finds him so attractive.
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Jake Wesley Rogers, "Middle of Love"
With his once-in-a-lifetime voice, Jake Wesley Rogers is proud to declare that he finds himself “in the middle of loving you” on this cinematic pop banger. Charting Rogers’ chaotic relationship with his significant other — including when they “fight like adults, make love like it’s taboo” — “Middle of Love” stands as an ode to all the messy glory of being absolutely smitten.
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Years & Years, "Preacher"
While the subtext of “Preacher” hints at a particularly one-sided desire, there is no denying that this bouncing bop off of Years & Years’ Palo Santo is an excellent love song about finding yourself face to face with “the one.”
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VINCINT, "Mine"
Vocal pro VINCINT wants you to stop beating around the bush with his dramatically passionate single “Mine.” From suggesting light attraction to literally pleading his lover to be with him, VINCINT pulls out all of the stops on the heart-pounding love song.
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Lil Nas X, "That's What I Want"
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Not one for subtlety, queer hip-pop pioneer Lil Nas X spells out exactly what the title of his song means in its opening lines: “Need a boy who can cuddle with me all night/ Keep me warm, love me long, be my sunlight.” The rest of this maximal pop jam let us cathartically join Lil Nas as we let the world know that that’s what we want, too.
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Keiynan Lonsdale, "Kiss The Boy"
Inspired by The Little Mermaid’s “Kiss the Girl,” Keiynan Lonsdale’s debut single turns the Disney classic on its head, encouraging his listeners to follow their heart and kiss the boys they love. With the help of some entrancing melodies and gorgeous singing on Lonsdale’s part, “Kiss the Boy” successfully displays the singer’s unique ability to make his audience swoon with a song.
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Brockhampton, "Something About Him"
The lyrics to Brockhampton’s electrifying music has never shied away from frontman Kevin Abstract’s gayness. But “Something About Him,” a short, slowed down ballad from the group’s hit album Iridescence, brings the rapper’s experience to the forefront, as he expounds on why he’s infatuated with his lover.
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Cub Sport, "Butterflies"
Indie-pop stars Cub Sport dialed into their romantic side with their self-titled 2019 record’s “Butterflies.” The track’s commanding melody perfectly contrasts the head-over-heels emotion they portray through the lyrics, making this a fun, strange trip through gay romance.
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Rostam, "Bike Dream"
Former Vampire Weekend member Rostam manages to combine the ever-present ethereal quality of his music with touching lyrics about struggling to find your dream partner. As always, Rostam’s artful interpretation of complex love comes across beautifully in this dreamy track.
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Frank Ocean, "Forrest Gump"
Taking inspiration from the 1994 film of the same name, Frank Ocean’s smooth jam “Forrest Gump” is an ode to unapologetic queer love. The track displays not only a deep love of the 1994 film, but shows emotional maturity in acknowledging the reality of losing the person you love most.
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Perfume Genius, "Alan"
Seattle-based singer/songwriter Perfume Genius accesses the most affectionate part of himself with “Alan,” a heartfelt ode to the singer’s boyfriend, Alan Wyffels. The song’s lyrics highlight the quieter, more tender parts of a relationship, encapsulating the idea of feeling safe in someone’s arms.
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MNEK, "Tongue"
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Wanna let your lover know just how sexy you find them? Look no further than MNEK’s simmering single “Tongue.” The British star’s track employs his exuberant sexuality, a hard-hitting beat and expertly-crafted melodies to make this one of the sexiest songs about gay romance in recent memory.
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Alextbh, "Still Mine"
Sometimes all a good song needs is a simple bass line and some sultry vocals. That’s what listeners get when listening to pop singer Alextbh’s seductive “Still Mine,” as they follow the singer’s persistent hang-up on an ex-lover.
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Vardaan Arora, "Dance Like You"
In “Dance Like You,” Vardaan Arora finds himself entranced by a dancing stranger, wishing he could be with him. With the appropriate club-ready production backing him up, Arora shows what falling in love on the dancefloor really feels like.
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Solomon Ray, "Así Así"
Love and passion are universal languages, as Solomon Ray expertly demonstrates in his sensuous bop “Así Así.” Switching constantly between English and Spanish, the singer asks his bilingual lover to give him everything he’s got.
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Adam Lambert, "Loverboy"
What happens when you mix the sound of ’70s funk music, the aesthetics of modern queer discourse, and the voice of pop superstar Adam Lambert? You get “Loverboy,” this sensual anthem where the American Idol alum lets his titular partner exactly what he’s all about — and how he’s going to show him as much love as possible.
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Holland, "Neverland"
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo K-pop stars don’t usually get opportunities to express their same-sex love thanks to Korea’s rigid anti-gay policies. But pop singer Holland defied expectations with his release of “Neverland,” one of the first K-pop songs with openly gay connotations. As Holland begs his lover to fly with him to a place where they can be free, you’ll find yourself both crying and applauding at the same time.
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Bronze Avery, "Want 2"
If the sexy falsetto tones of Bronze Avery’s voice don’t immediately melt your heart, then perhaps the words to this irresistible earwom “Want 2” will. Offering himself up to his new love interest, singing “Let’s do what we wanna do/ Imma take my time on you/ Swear I gotta list of that shit I wanna do,” Avery not only shows off his vocal dexterity, but his emotional availability.
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Jesse Saint John, "What Do U Like"
Getting caught up in the heat of passion happens to everyone, and songwriter to the stars Jesse Saint John (Britney Spears, Camila Cabello) invites you to live in that moment with “What Do U Like.” Listening to Saint John’s sex-laden dance track makes you excited to hear what comes next on his already star-studded streak of expert pop writing.
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Wrabel, "That's What I'd Do"
Even if he’s only released a live version of this song, Wrabel manages to pull at your heartstrings with the lovesick “That’s What I’d Do.” Singing about an unselfish desire to show someone love, Wrabel brings his sensitive musical stylings to an all-time high on this beautiful track.
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Aaron Porter, "Boy"
On his debut track “Boy,” up-and-coming pop singer Aaron Porter shows off every sensual trick in his arsenal. The song deals with allowing yourself to be more vulnerable in front of your crush, while simultaneously showing them why they belong with you.
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A Great Big World feat. Futuristic, "Hold Each Other"
A Great Big World’s “Hold Each Other” begins as most other love songs do — a boy singing about the girl who keeps him young at heart. But by the song’s second verse, the duo’s openly gay member, Chad King, chimes in to show that exact same sentiment to a boy, thus showing once again that pronouns matter when it comes to penning a queer love song.
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Superfruit feat. Amber Liu, "Fantasy"
Pentatonix members Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying turn on the charm in their high-energy dance track “Fantasy.” Singing about a picture-perfect relationship, the talented duo bring listeners into a dreamy landscape of love and romance.
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Ryan Ashley, "Care for You"
Ryan Ashley’s tender vocals perfectly mirror his compassionate lyrics on his heartwarming single “Care for You.” Sometimes true love is showing someone that you are there for them, and Ashley expertly exemplifies the ideal partner here.
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Morgxn, "xx"
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Sometimes you just can’t wait for that special man to make his way over to you, which alt-pop singer Morgxn manages to convey in his song “xx.” Coming from a singer with a discography full of songs about pain, loss and heartbreak, “xx” plays out as a beaming pillar of light that will fill you with flirtatious joy.
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Isaac Dunbar, "Tainted Love"
Don’t let the title of this track fool you — Isaac Dunbar’s “Tainted Love” is about as romantic as the fast-rising multi-hyphenate gets. Detailing a night out with the one guy he just can’t seem stay away from, Dunbar’s catchy, delicious song perfectly encapsulates that infatuated feeling in the early stages of every relationship.
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Robokid feat. Manila Killa and AOBeats, “17”
Some may say that teenage love is inherently silly, but young pop singer Robokid instead focuses on the hopeless romanticism that comes with it on “17.” With a hazy production and an instantly catchy beat, Robokid manages to capture the teenage experience in a song.
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Leo Kalyan, "Horizon"
Sometimes, the simple possibility of love can be just as romantic as the real thing, as pop upcomer Leo Kalyan demonstrates in his song “Horizon.” Accompanied by a thundering bass and a quiet melody, Kalyan explains how even just a touch from his lover can send him into a spiral of pleasure.
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Orville Peck, "Dead of Night"
If you’ve ever fantasized about riding off into the sunset with the love of your life, then Orville Peck’s “Dead of Night” is exactly the song for you. Charting the overtly queer story of two gay cowboys making off into the night, the song is as joyful as it is almost haunting.
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Blood Orange feat. Carly Rae Jepsen, "Better Than Me"
Above all, the most important kind of love that a person can find is self love, which Dev Hynes and Carly Rae Jepsen explore at length in “Better Than Me.” The song deals with Hynes’ constant fear that he is either not black or queer enough, but ultimately sends home the message that the truest love you can find is deep within yourself, not in someone else.