Lil Nas X has done it again. His latest single, ‘That’s What I Want,’ sits at #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this week, up a spot from last week. This is the fourth single from Lil Nas X’s 2021 album Montero, and the third to reach the top ten.
Both previous top ten singles (‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ and ‘Industry Baby’) reached the #1 spot, a feat this track could well match.
I certainly wouldn’t bet against it. Lil Nas X has proved adept at multiple genres, and on this one he tries his hand at pop rock with great results. The song, in which Nas X pines for a lover, is lyrically resonant and catchy as hell.
I also continue to be impressed by how up front Nas X is about his sexuality. You don’t see anything in his (rather explicit) videos that you haven’t seen a thousand times in straight artist’s work, but it feels transgressive due to the rarity of seeing gay love and sex in this space.
[Note: I just realized the date of this post… sorry, no April Fools’ Day trickery this year]
Need a boy who can cuddle with me all night
Keep me warm, love me long, be my sunlight
Tell me lies, we can argue, we can fight
Yeah, we did it before, but we’ll do it tonight
An afro, black boy with the gold teeth
With dark skin, lookin’ at me like he know me
I wonder if he got the G or the B
Let me find out and see, comin’ over to me, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
These days, I’m way too lonely
I’m missin’ out, I know
These days, I’m way too alone
And I’m known for givin’ love away, but
[Chorus]
I want someone to love mе
I need someone who needs me
‘Causе it don’t feel right when it’s late at night
And it’s just me in my dreams
So I want someone to love
That’s what I fuckin’ want
[Verse 2]
Look, you know it’s harder to find in these times
But I got nothin’ but love on my mind (My mind)
I need a baby with love in my prime
Need an adversary to my down and marry
Like, tell me “That’s life” when I’m stressin’ at night
Be like, “You’ll be okay” and, “Everything is alright,” uh
Let me in that thing, ’cause I’m not wanting anything
But your loving, your body, and a little bit of your brain
[Pre-Chorus]
These days, I’m way too lonely
I’m missin’ out, I know
These days, I’m way too alone
And I’m known for givin’ love away, but
[Chorus]
I want someone to love me
I need someone who needs me
‘Cause it don’t feel right when it’s late at night
And it’s just me in my dreams
So I want someone to love
That’s what I fuckin’ want
[Outro]
I want someone to love me
I need someone who needs me
‘Cause it don’t feel right when it’s late at night
And it’s just me in my dreams
So I want someone to love
That’s what I fuckin’ want
Meet Me In Montauk 
I had not heard this song or seen the video before. Another strong showing for Lil Nas X, continuing to prove he was not a one hit wonder novelty act.
I think you should feature Lil Nas and all rap stars for a deep dive soon.
April Fool 😊