Sam Smith and the Gentle Revolution of “My Guy”

Barry Walters, a writer for Rolling Stone, recently released his new book, Mighty Real, which explores the history of LGBTQ music. In an interview, Walters highlights the impact of inclusive language in music. He points out how songs often cater to heterosexual narratives, requiring LGBTQ listeners to mentally adjust the lyrics to suit their experiences.

LGBTQ themes in popular music rarely make a significant impact unless they come from artists with widespread success, like Sam Smith. Smith, known for chart-topping hits, broke the norm with his song “My Guy.” Unlike his more controversial earlier track, “Unholy,” “My Guy” takes a straightforward approach to depicting a same-sex relationship, making it noteworthy for its simplicity.

Walters compares Smith’s approach to past trailblazers like Little Richard and David Bowie. Little Richard’s role in shaping rock ‘n’ roll with his ambiguous style and Bowie’s complex gender provocations stand out. These music icons challenged norms when they had little to lose, similar to the activists at the Stonewall Inn 57 years ago who stood against oppressive police actions.

This summer, Sam Smith advances this legacy with “My Guy,” a song where one repeated masculine noun signifies a shift in LGBTQ representation in pop music. The song offers an unflinching yet gentle assertion of identity.

For more insights, readers can explore Barry Walters’ book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000, available in various formats. More information on the book can be found on sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.

You can watch Sam Smith perform “My Guy” in the official video presented by SamSmithVEVO on YouTube.