# Are there any popular songs implicitly about bisexuality? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [April 9, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692 "2021-04-09T18:01:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/1 "2021-04-09T18:01:27Z")
Just like the title says. Please don’t bring up songs that don’t specifically mention gender to make the claim that it _might_ be about bisexuals. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/2 "2021-04-09T18:08:03Z")
Joann Jett’s _A.C.D.C_ is pretty specific. _"She got girls,_ _Girls all over the world._ _She got men,_ _Every now and then."_ ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/3 "2021-04-09T18:14:17Z")
Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. The singer says she kissed a girl and hopes her own boyfriend won’t mind. > **[I Kissed a Girl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Kissed_a_Girl)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > "I Kissed a Girl" is the debut single of American singer Katy Perry from her second studio album, One of the Boys (2008). It was released on April 28, 2008, by Capitol Records as the lead single from the record. Perry co-wrote the song with Max Martin, Cathy Dennis, and its producer Dr. Luke, with additional production from Benny Blanco. "I Kissed a Girl" is a pop-rock, electropop, and disco song with elements of new wave. Perry stated its lyric... ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/4 "2021-04-09T18:15:30Z")
Two good ones so far. I wonder if there are any from male singers? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/5 "2021-04-09T18:15:37Z")
I’m not absolutely sure this fits, not least because I am having trouble parsing the lyrics, but Blur’s _Boys and Girls_ has a chorus that goes: Girls who want boys who like boys to be girls who do boys like they’re girls who do girls like they’re boys. Always should be someone you really love. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/6 "2021-04-09T18:20:49Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. Before that, there was Jill Sobule’s “I Kissed a Girl”, a completely different song with the same title (and subject matter, obviously. But in my opinion a better and wittier song): > **[Jill Sobule – I Kissed a Girl](https://genius.com/Jill-sobule-i-kissed-a-girl-lyrics)** > > “I Kissed A Girl” is Jill Sobule’s bi-curious, biggest hit. The lyrics find Sobule falling for her friend Jenny as they bemoan their romantic problems. Like most of the other songs ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/7 "2021-04-09T18:21:54Z")
_Bi_, by In Living Color [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/EMprpu0et9M/maxresdefault.jpg "Living Colour - Bi") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMprpu0et9M) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/8 "2021-04-09T18:23:54Z")
Case not proven (and not a _recent_ popular song), but how about Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me A Bow-Wow? > Another number in the show is Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow-Wow. Surely Joseph Tabrar’s “pretty little song for pretty little children” doesn’t hide steamy gay passions? “Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang defines ‘bow-wow’ as ‘penis,’ so I always knew there was something sexual about it,” says Bradshaw. “Then I read in Alison Hennigan’s Lesbian Pillow Book that it was performed in the dyke cabarets of Paris at the turn of the century with the meaning, ‘I’m fond of pussy, but I’d also like to try a bow-wow.’ That’s enough to get it in the show!” [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,3605,448635,00.html). > I love my little cat, I do > With soft black silky hair > It comes with me each day to school > And sits upon the chair… > …Daddy wouldn’t buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! > I’ve got a little cat > And I’m very fond of that > But I’d rather have a bow-wow > Wow, wow, wow, wow [Wiki including complete lyric.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daddy_Wouldn%27t_Buy_Me_a_Bow_Wow) j ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/9 "2021-04-09T18:25:03Z")
“Billy Brown” by Mika [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gX0AJbRjJRE/hqdefault.jpg "Billy Brown - Mika") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX0AJbRjJRE) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/10 "2021-04-09T18:29:05Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/L1s7KZgWXGc/hqdefault.jpg "Robbie Williams ft. Rufus Wainwright | Swing Both Ways (Official Audio)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1s7KZgWXGc) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/11 "2021-04-09T18:31:02Z")
“Gettin’ Bi” from _Crazy Ex-Girlfriend_ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5e7844P77Is/maxresdefault.jpg ""Gettin' Bi" (feat. Pete Gardner) - "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e7844P77Is) ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/12 "2021-04-09T18:36:45Z")
The Sweet’s AC / DC fits the bill. Several popular songs (all the way from the early '70’s) illustrating the meaning of the term makes it all the more curious that those über-macho, womanizing Aussie lads would choose to name themselves like they did. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8d0lrp3Nsi0/hqdefault.jpg "The Sweet - AC/DC") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d0lrp3Nsi0) ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/13 "2021-04-09T18:37:39Z")
Don’t get any more explicit than this [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RBX4IwvGjm8/maxresdefault.jpg "Bisexual Anthem- By Domo Wilson (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBX4IwvGjm8) ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/14 "2021-04-09T18:41:50Z")
“I’m the Only One” by Melissa Etheridge. Tonight you told me that you ache for something new And some other woman is looking like somethin’ That might be good for you ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/15 "2021-04-09T18:47:17Z")
A song by a woman, about how her girlfriend is leaving her for another woman? Where’s the bi? ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/16 "2021-04-09T18:51:40Z")
> [@solost](#): > > > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > > Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. > > Before that, there was Jill Sobule’s “I Kissed a Girl”, a completely different song with the same title (and subject matter, obviously But in my opinion a better and wittier song): > > [Jill Sobule – I Kissed a Girl Lyrics | Genius Lyrics](https://genius.com/Jill-sobule-i-kissed-a-girl-lyrics) I heard Jill Sobule’s song long before Katy Perry’s, and yes, it’s a better song. More honest, I think. Whenever I hear Perry’s song, I think about Lindsay Ellis’ interpretation of the subtext: “I kissed a girl, and I like it” [Oooh, check out how edgy and transgressive I am!] “Hope my boyfriend don’t mind” […but I’m not really gay or anything weird like that. Still into dudes!] ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/17 "2021-04-09T18:54:05Z")
_Heather_ by Conan Gray. The gender of “you” in the song is never mentioned, but the singer is male and wishing he was a female to get the attention of “you” > Why would you ever kiss me? > I’m not even half as pretty > You gave her your sweater, it’s just polyester > But you like her better > Wish I were Heather ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/18 "2021-04-09T18:57:18Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > I heard Jill Sobule’s song long before Katy Perry’s, and yes, it’s a better song. More honest, I think. Whenever I hear Perry’s song, I think about Lindsay Ellis’ interpretation of the subtext: > > “I kissed a girl, and I like it” > [Oooh, check out how edgy and transgressive I am!] > “Hope my boyfriend don’t mind” > […but I’m not really gay or anything weird like that. Still into dudes!] Our gay men’s chorus sang this song some years back. It was a big hit. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/19 "2021-04-09T19:02:26Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/q31tGyBJhRY/maxresdefault.jpg "Calum Scott - Dancing On My Own (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692/20 "2021-04-09T19:03:37Z")
Pete Townshend’s “Rough Boys” might be about bisexuality, or it might just be about homosexuality – it has lines about “her” and “she,” as well as lines like “Tough boys, come over here, I wanna bite and kiss you.” Pete himself has given some conflicting stories about it, [as noted on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rough_Boys): > [@](#): > > During a 1989 interview with [Timothy White](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_White_(editor)), Townshend made reference to the song “Rough Boys”, calling the song a “coming out, an acknowledgment of the fact that I’d had a gay life, and that I understood what gay sex was about. I know how it feels to be a woman because I am a woman.”[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rough_Boys#cite_note-3) Five years later, in an interview with _[Playboy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playboy)_ , he said, “I did an interview about it, saying that ‘Rough Boys’ was about being gay, and in the interview I also talked about my ‘gay life,’ which—I meant—was actually about the friends I’ve had who are gay. So the interviewer kind of dotted the t’s and crossed the i’s and assumed that this was a coming out, which it wasn’t at all.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-popular-songs-implicitly-about-bisexuality/939692.md?page=2)