In an effort to build a space for queer people like myself, every Tuesday I’ll be posting opinion pieces, listicals, reviews, and more focused on the LGBT community (and occasionally about the Latinx/WOC community since I am Latinx.) Welcome to Queerly Not Straight!
Janelle Monáe is an iconic, brilliant, and positively lovely human being and queer person. She doesn’t just push boundaries, she breaks them with queer AF music that lifts you up, teaches you something new, and leaves you reeling that all this talent could be in one person. That’s why it was a breeze to pick out our favorite Janelle Monáe songs!
1. MAKE ME FEEL
One sentence explaining why we love this song: One of the most unapologetically queer songs ever that shows the real life struggle of being pulled back and forth between men, women, and everything in between in the search of love.
Favorite Lyrics:
It’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender
An emotional, sexual bender
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better
There’s nothin’ better
2. Electric Lady
One sentence explaining why we love this song: Feel good song with all the Black Excellence your heart can take!
Favorite Lyrics:
Ooh, you shock it, shake it, baby
Electric lady you’re a star
You got a classic kind of crazy
But you know just who you are
3. PYNK
One sentence explaining why we love this song: Iconic song where pink pants acting as the labia major and labia minor are a thing and panties that say, “I Grab Back.”
Favorite Lyrics:
Pink when you’re blushing inside, baby
Pink is the truth you can’t hide, maybe
Pink like the folds of your brain, crazy
Pink as we all go insane
4. Heroes
One sentence explaining why we love this song: It’s feels inducing watching the next generation accept themselves and the heroes they can be because they were inspired by a superhero bae known as Janelle.
Favorite Lyrics (that are a little dark):
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing by the wall (by the wall)
All the guns, all the guns shot above our head
And the kids have nothing to fall!
5. I Like That
One sentence explaining why we love this song: This was the first Janelle Monae song I ever heard and memorized because of her creativity, talent, and voice.
Favorite Lyrics:
‘Cause I’m crazy and I’m sexy then I’m cool
Little rough around the edges, but I keep it smooth
I’m always left of center and that’s right where I belong
I’m the random minor note you hear in major songs
What’s your favorite Janelle Monáe song? Think we missed out on adding one? Let us know in the comments below!
Queerly Not Straight posts every Tuesday with opinion pieces, listicals, reviews, and more focused on the LGBT community (and occasionally about the Latinx community since I am Latinx.)
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