I was listening to paris again today and I was struck again by how jarring I find this lyric:
Sit quiet by my side in the shade
And not the kind that's thrown
I mean, the kind under where a tree has grown
Like, I'm sorry, but I hate it. It's awkward and not that clever on face value. But then. I remembered this lyric from YNTCD:
'Cause shade never made anybody less gay so
I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this, but I'm realizing that she's bringing attention to the fact that we all misinterpreted this lyric originally. Or rather, that there are two meanings. The first is the obvious one: being subjected to homophobia doesn't make people less gay. But the second is a bit more subtle: being closeted doesn't make a person less gay.
She's saying that she's not out and openly gay in the sunlight, but that doesn't make her any less so. Also, I think it's a beautiful reference to Tree Paine, her publicist, who shields her and protects her and helps her stay safe in the closet.
i love lover. i love leaving the christmas lights until january and i love unbreakable heaven and i love worshipping love and i love skipping down 16th avenue and i love being right there in the front row even if nobody comes to your show and i love seeing only daylight and i love light pink skies up on the roof and i love meeting in the afterglow and i love sunshine on the street at the parade and i love rainbows with all of the colors and i love high tea and stories from uni and i love my time my wine my spirit and my trust and i love holy orange bottles and i love memorizing the creaks in the floor and i love flashing my dollars and i love running away with you and i love all the kings horses and all the kings men and i love your complications too. i love lover