Randy Report favorite Eli Lieb is happy in love, and he's sharing the receipts in his new music video, "I Want It All."
The bouncy, buoyant summer bop is a paean to his year-old relationship with boyfriend, James Tyler Malone.
You got me in love Like a kid in a candy store running round I want it all And it's never it's never it's never it's never enough I want it all want it all And I waited I waited I waited I waited for your love And it's never it's never it's never it's never enough I want it all want it all
The music video utilizes video Lieb shot while he joined Malone on a cruise ship where the bf worked as a dancer. Rather than do the long-distance thing, Lieb packed up and joined Malone for months on the ship traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.
Lieb told Billboard that he wanted the song to be a upbeat tribute to the “very unconventional” beginning of his relationship, as well as a positive snapshot of queer love.
“During Pride Month, I wanted to put something out that showed a real-life relationship blossoming, rather than just a scripted one,” he says. “I'm hoping the viewers will really be able to get a sense of that excitement and celebration of finding newfound love, in a real and palpable way."
Back in March, Lieb wished Malone a happy birthday writing, in part, "I waited so many years for you and now that we finally found each other, I am so grateful we never have to go without."
What? You thought I wasn't going to count down and recap the year that was 2018?
Fat chance.
Here's my take on the best that the year had to offer in terms of LGBTQ music, movies, television and pop culture moments, as well as the stories that resonated most with my readers.
Please kick back, pour a cocktail, and take a little journey on the way back machine as I review 2018 in terms of the LGBTQ community.
And, as always, I would muchly appreciate it if you would share The Randy Report podcast with your friends.
So, here we go. Let me know in the comments what you thought I might have missed.
See you all in 2019! Thanks to all of you for visiting The Randy Report. It totally wouldn't be any fun without you here.
Out singer/songwriter Eli Lieb shares this uplifting music video for his song, "When You Need a Friend," which Eli wrote in the aftermath of a young, male transgender student as his old high school committing suicide.
Backed by The Trevor Project, Eli returned to his old school to reach out to kids there and spread some love.
Premiering the new video on NewNowNext, Eli shares:
“I wrote, ’When You Need A Friend’ inspired by his memory, but also for anyone in need,” he says. “I wanted people to know that times can be really tough but if you keep fighting through them, there’s a bright future ahead. I also wanted people to feel like they have a friend in me, even if they don’t know me personally. I want people to feel like when they play this song, that I am there with them offering support.”
Randy Report favorite Eli Lieb has released his new album The Nights We Lived and a new music video for the title tune.
Out and proud indie singer/songwriter Eli Lieb recently released his new album, The Nights We Lived.
In July of 2013, Eli got the attention of the music world with his power pop anthem, “Young Love.” Music blog Idolator called it “an instantly catchy, uplifting pop/rock anthem that sounds like a cross between Katy Perry and Bruce Springsteen.”
Thanks to its strong pop hook and a message of living out and proud, the song and the video struck a chord with many people. The music video for “Young Love” since garnered almost 8 million YouTube views.
In October of 2013, Eli was inspired to record a cover of “Wrecking Ball” that went viral in just 24 hours. The video was promoted in social media by singers Adam Lambert and Lucy Hale, and celebrities Rosie O’Donnell and Bob Harper. Eli’s cover of “Wrecking Ball” reached one million views in under a week, and at this writing the video has over 5.3 million views.
I recently spoke to the handsome artist about his work.
Asked if he sets out to tell a specific story in his music, Eli says, "A lot of times my songs really do just come out. When I look back at it, it's almost like I don't really remember writing it. Whatever comes out, I just let it be, and it'll very quickly start to manifest and I'll understand what it's about."
"I write songs and I somehow have managed to be able to put experience into a song."
Having spent some years in Los Angeles, and although he acknowledges good friends there, Eli is open about how it wasn't a good fit for him.
Eli says the title track of his latest album, “The Nights We Lived,” is his most intimate recording yet.
“It documents specific time periods in my life,” he said. “I picked this song as the title track to the album because the whole record is an accumulation of experiences that have lead to who and where I am today.”
The music video uses footage spanning 15 years as Eli takes a musical look back, and it's a life full of ups and downs, including a complicated, abusive relationship:
When I was 29 I fell in love with a monster
Hidden in the sly cloak of a charmer
Plotting to destroy all of me
That's when I learned what love and abuse was
Yeah I think I still have a few of his scars
If you look closely you can see
The track, authentic and raw in its emotional landscape, delivers fat, rich production with 80s power anthem vocals.
As a journalist who loves mainstream pop music, I'm happy to share Eli's latest music with you.
As a pop music fan, I can honestly say I personally plunk down my money to buy Eli's music. I think he's great. He connects; he's open; and he understands the power of music.
And as an LGBT activist, I'm always jazzed to see an artist as talented as Eli present our lives and loves so fully in his music.
Check out the music video for “The Nights We Lived” below. You should definitely check out more of his music on his YouTube channel here. ("Zeppelin" totally kills...)
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree that when an HIV+ person's viral load is undetectable there's zero chance of transmission to an uninfected person
• The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says transgender military members who meet physical and mental requirements should be able to serve in the U.S. military
• Azerbaijan is now rounding up and torturing gay men
• A new musical based on the life and music of Cher is heading to Broadway
• Will & Grace triumphantly returns to network TV after 11 years
• Eli Lieb's latest single, "Kissing Your Tattoos"
All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report podcast.
Listen below. Catch up on LGBT headlines in only a few minutes, and if you like - hit the Share button for your social media :)
Out singer/songwriter/producer Eli Leib contrasts a tentative, halting verse with a chorus that explodes with a visceral tribal drum beat in his latest single, "Kissing Your Tattoos."
Considering the intimate perspective of the lyrics, it's powerfully spot on.
Yeah I think it's just a one night thing
Sorry if you wanted more of me
Maybe just a midnight rendezvous
But I'll stay here kissing all of your tattoos
I think I know several folks who can relate to the moment.
Whether it's the unbridled exuberance of his "Zeppelin" or the tender "Safe In My Hands," Lieb always finds the sweet spot in his achingly personal musical creations.
Out singer/songwriter Eli Lieb has just dropped his new music video, "Shangri La."
Having recently relocated from Los Angeles to Iowa, the talented Mr. Lieb appears to be awash in the memory of intoxicating kisses, and a cocktail or two.
Romantic longing becomes naked, exposed emotion.
I'm definitely a fan, having previously featured Eli on The Randy Reporthere and here and here and here.
• Survivor’s of Chechnya’s "gay purge" describe the physical and mental torture they endured in their country's gay concentration camps
• Two gay men were whipped with canes in front of thousands in Indonesia for the crime of having consensual gay sex in private
• The Trump administration’s proposed cuts to global health funding could lead to the deaths of over one million people around the world fighting HIV/AIDS
• Luxembourg's First Gentleman represents at the NATO Summit, but the White House forgets
• The 2017 World OutGames cancelled only 24 hours before the opening ceremonies
• New music from acclaimed out singer/songwriter, Eli Lieb.
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
Uber-talented out singer/songwriter shares his latest single, "Castles."
From Eli:
Lately I have been very inspired to write songs that will help people feel empowered. Right now there are so many of us that feel broken down and lost and I hope this song helps people feel like they can build their strength up again, never lose hope, take the hard times and use them as a tool to build your own Castle!
Eli's songs (like "Young Love," "Lightning In A Bottle," "Zeppelin") have a permanent place on my play lists. I've featured Eli's music on The Randy Report many times - here, here, here and here.
Eli has been sharing covers songs on his Youtube channel of late. On his Facebook page, Lieb promises "Castles" is just a taste of more original music to come this year :)
New music video from out musicians Eli Lieb and Steve Grand - "Look Away."
Said Steve Grand of the collaboration:
“Eli is a real pro. It was a true pleasure working with someone who knows what they want creatively. Eli kept the process streamlined.Though we are in a similar line of work, our personalities are very different, which I think we really got to see throughout the day we shot the video. I’m an irreverent goofball and Eli is a more serious guy just really focused on his craft. I think it makes for an interesting collaboration.”
It's interesting that Grand notes their different approaches. I was struck throughout the video by Lieb's connection to the camera, eyes and heart open to the viewer. Grand, on the other hand, largely avoids directly looking into the camera, choosing to look away or down. The differences lead the viewer to a much for connected experience with Lieb.
The emotional break-up song is sparse on production which feels appropriate, but the powerful lyrics and Lieb's devastatingly open relationship with the viewer makes for a winning combination.
It was only after I had watched the video that I found this statement from Lieb which underlines the connectedness of his performance:
“We filmed this the day after my boyfriend and I broke up, and the footage is so real and raw, that I struggled if I even felt comfortable putting it out. I wasn’t sure I wanted everyone to see the pain I was in. But then I realized that this pain came from love and is a part of life most people experience at some point – we’ve all been there. I hope it helps remind people that pain and love are so closely related to not forget how powerful love is.”
Out singer/songwriter Eli Lieb has just released his newest music video "Lightning In A Bottle," which sends a message of self-empowerment to his listeners.
From Eli:
This song is really special to me. Everyone is fighting a battle.
I want people to see this music video, hear the song, really listen to the lyrics, and live their truth.
I want this to inspire people to not be afraid to break free and embrace who they are. I believe that being 100% your true authentic self is the key to real happiness and joy.
Life is celebration and we are all beautiful beings!!
Uber-talented singer/songwriter Eli Lieb just dropped his newest single "Zeppelin," and I've decided it's my new Summer song. AND the video is terrific.
Singing in the car with you to zeppelin
on this perfect endless night
Trying to build our own stairway to heaven
yeah I've never felt so high
You turn it up we scream along
Take all my love
a summer night with you and zeppelin
Over 40,000 views in two days.
Regular readers will remember I posted his "Young Love" video last summer.
