‘It’s Sad That Gay Musicians Don’t Sing About Men.’ – Singer Olly Alexander
Olly Alexander of Years & Years has hit out at other openly gay singers, who sing about gender-neutral love interests instead of men.
Sam Smith has previously explained he only sings about gender-neutral “lovers” in songs to ensure they are universal and “apply to everyone” – despite straight singers facing no problems singing about opposite-sex love interests.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Olly Alexander of the band Years & Years said it was “sad” that gay singers aren’t allowed to sing about men.
He said of his debut album: “It was important for me to get some male pronouns in some of the songs, so I did it for ‘Real’ and ‘Memo’, and then one song on the deluxe.
“It is kind of sad to me that we don’t have gay pop stars singing about men using a male pronoun, but that could change hopefully.”
The singer continued: “I think there are a lot of factors involved with mainstream success. There are loads of reasons why an artist is successful and I think what people loved about Sam [Smith] was that it felt like it was coming from an authentic place. But I think, yeah, there’s still a way to go.
“I’d like to hear a gay artist express their sexuality in a really open way. That’s something I’ve sort of tried to do a little bit on this album, but to be able to talk about sex is possibly new for gay artists, so I’d like to see that in the mainstream.
He added: “Music does feel like it’s in a much more accepted, tolerant place; even with Miley Cyrus, when she doesn’t identify with either gender, and we’re getting used to these ideas of about non-binary gender, which is a good thing.”
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13 Comments
Francis
July 20, 06:07Sometimes I wish my favorite songs were gender neutral and sometimes I wish they weren’t. E go tey before society (homophobes) go adapt to that one but I think it’s doable.
I remember watching a wonderful rendition of Rihanna’s Te Amo and at the end isi ewu, wierd eyes Darey was asking ridiculous questions such as “where you singing to a girl?” with this disgusting look on his sorry ass face.
Pink Panther
July 20, 06:48Darey asked that? Hian! Even artsy as he is, I never expected him to be in the prejudiced lot.
Francis
July 20, 07:00Nna men, there are a lot of Naija artists that I never expected to be in that lot. Homophobia dey survive years of education and exposure.
Max
July 20, 06:41Sad
pete
July 20, 06:44it irks me when an artiste decides to tell others how to go about their poetic license. if you want your song to have a gay theme, please go on. don’t emotionally blackmail others to toe same line.
Pink Panther
July 20, 06:51LOL. Perhaps he was attempting emotional blackmail. perhaps he wasn’t. But I think he was pointing out a double standard in the music industry.
Peak
July 20, 07:38@PP this guy just wants attention! A lot of these artist (mainstream) don’t have creative control over their the finished product. What songs make the album, single choice, promo budget and a lot of other things. Its a business venture, the label and its bosses are all about the money. Gay songs will only appeal to a small fraction of the general population, and not every member of that small fraction would like the song. That’s why they opt 4 gender neutral songs only to roll out a gay theme video to create buzz or court conroversy. I’m sure he used the word “Allow” somewhere in the interview, so its not always the fault of these artists.
A lot of us have seen Empire, we should ve a lil idea of how the music industry works by now. Staight and bi artist are doing gay themed songs, Emeli sande did a brillian Job will All the girls love Alice.
JustJames
July 20, 07:16I used to wish Mikka was more gender specific in his songs.. I got that wish with his most recent album. There’s something about knowing a song is about a guy being sung from another guy’s point of view.. It has more meaning .
Masked Man
July 20, 07:36So Pinky, there was no reviews on MAMA 2015 red carpet, ehkwa? Wiarris John Oceans abi na seas?
I was expecting Iyanya’s bulged crotch to be served up here. No wahala sha.
kacee
July 20, 08:56This guy is really something else (Olly Alexander) where was he when Steve Grand wrote and sang all american boy.
kaytee
July 20, 09:25i would like to see a song called Hercules or Alexander
Pink Panther
July 20, 09:37Heheheee. And how would the lyrics of such a song go?
Sinnex
July 20, 11:22Wetin concern you?
Face your front and mind your business.
Baby steps….baby steps.