MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)

"MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" is a multi-layered anthem of queer self-acceptance and defiance against religious condemnation. The title itself is deeply personal; 'Montero' is Lil Nas X's given name, and 'Call Me By Your Name' is a direct reference to the 2017 LGBTQ+ romance film and the 2007 novel it's based on. This allusion points to an intimate, soul-deep connection where two lovers become one. Lyrically, the song details a relationship with a man who is seemingly in the closet, involved in a life of drugs and parties. Lil Nas X offers himself to this person, expressing a desire for a love that transcends societal judgment, even if it must remain a secret.

On a deeper level, the song is a direct confrontation with the homophobic rhetoric Lil Nas X experienced growing up in a religious household. He was taught that his homosexuality was a sin that would lead him to hell. The song, particularly in conjunction with its controversial music video, reclaims this narrative. Instead of fearing damnation, he embraces it, choosing to rule in a self-created 'hell' rather than conform to a society that rejects him. The explicit lyrics about gay sex are a deliberate act to normalize queer desire in mainstream music, particularly in the historically heteronormative genre of hip-hop. In a public letter to his 14-year-old self, Lil Nas X stated his agenda was 'to make people stay the fuck out of other people's lives and stop dictating who they should be.' Therefore, the song is not just a personal story but a political statement, a bold declaration of identity aimed at empowering other queer individuals to exist without shame.

The song begins with the narrator describing a recent, impactful encounter with a love interest. This person, who lives a life of partying with 'cocaine and drinkin' with your friends,' seems to exist in a metaphorical darkness, a state of denial or secrecy. The narrator acknowledges this but is undeterred, expressing a raw and immediate physical attraction. The central plea, 'Call me by your name,' is an intimate request for a deep, unifying connection, suggesting a desire for the lover to see the narrator as an extension of himself, erasing the boundaries between them.

The chorus is a direct and vulnerable offer of availability and affection: 'Call me when you want, call me when you need / Call me in the morning, I'll be on the way.' This is juxtaposed with the pre-chorus, which hints at a clandestine relationship, referencing the Garden of Eden by suggesting that if 'Eve ain't in your garden,' then the lover is free to call upon the narrator. This implies the lover might be in a heteronormative relationship or at least presenting as straight to the world.

The second verse escalates the lyrical explicitness, moving from romantic longing to carnal desire. The narrator expresses a wish to fully immerse himself in the lover's lifestyle, with provocative lines about sexual acts and the jet-setting life. There's also a moment of self-reflection and an acknowledgment of his public role as a 'sign of the times,' a prominent queer figure whose every move is scrutinized. The line 'A dime and a nine, it was mine every week' is a confident nod to the record-breaking 19-week run of his previous hit, 'Old Town Road,' on the charts.

The narrative arc of the song is one of pursuing a love that is fraught with complications, secrecy, and perhaps even a degree of self-destructive behavior on the part of the love interest. Yet, the overriding theme is the narrator's unwavering desire for this connection and his bold willingness to engage in this 'sinful' love without shame. The recurring, melodic humming acts as a wordless, intimate 'mating call,' reinforcing the sensual and deeply personal nature of the song's message. Ultimately, it's a declaration of wanting to be seen, desired, and loved for exactly who he is, even if it has to be in private.

"MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" was written by Lil Nas X (Montero Hill) along with producers Denzel Baptiste and David Biral of Take a Daytrip, Omer Fedi, and Roy Lenzo. The song was first teased on July 9, 2020, when Lil Nas X posted a snippet of it on Twitter. He wrote the song in mid-2020 at an Airbnb at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where he was working on his debut album.

The track was inspired by a real-life experience with a man he met that summer who was living a closeted life. Lil Nas X has stated that the film Call Me by Your Name was a significant influence, being one of the first 'artsy' queer films he had seen. The concept of lovers calling each other by their own names resonated with him deeply. The song was recorded on July 9, 2020.

Before its official release, the song gained further attention when it was featured in a Logitech commercial during Super Bowl LV in February 2021. The official release was announced on March 9, 2021, and the single, along with its highly anticipated music video, dropped on March 26, 2021, via Columbia Records, serving as the lead single for his debut album, Montero. Upon its release, Lil Nas X published an open letter to his 14-year-old self, explaining the personal significance of the song and his decision to be openly and unapologetically gay, despite the fear of backlash.

The song and its accompanying music video are rich with symbolism, primarily drawing from Christian iconography, Greek mythology, and queer culture.

• The Garden of Eden: The video opens in a reimagined Garden of Eden, where Lil Nas X plays a version of Adam. He is tempted not by a traditional snake, but by a serpent version of himself, symbolizing an internal struggle and eventual acceptance of his own queer identity, which he was taught to see as a 'sin.' The serpent also evokes Lilith, Adam's mythological first wife, often depicted as a demon.
• The Colosseum and Stoning: Lil Nas X is put on trial in a Greco-Roman-inspired Colosseum, judged by stone-faced versions of himself in Marie Antoinette-style wigs. This scene represents public judgment and persecution. He is stoned to death with butt plugs, a provocative and defiant symbol that twists a method of execution into a queer-coded act, mocking the judgment he faces.
• The Stripper Pole to Hell: His descent to Hell on a stripper pole is a direct and flamboyant rejection of the condemnation he received. It's a symbolic journey where he reclaims his power by choosing his own damnation rather than being sent there. This imagery was also an homage to FKA Twigs' video for 'Cellophane.'
• Satan: In Hell, he gives a lap dance to Satan (also played by himself) before killing him and taking his horns. This ultimate act of rebellion symbolizes conquering the very source of the religious fear instilled in him. By becoming the new ruler of Hell, he transforms a place of punishment into a kingdom of self-empowerment and liberation.
• Plato's Symposium: The video includes a quote in Greek from Plato's Symposium, which discusses the origin of soulmates, where beings were split in two and now long for their other half. This connects to the theme of finding wholeness, both with a lover and within oneself.

The emotional landscape of "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" is a complex and powerful mix of longing, defiance, vulnerability, and triumphant self-acceptance. At its heart, the song expresses a deep, sensual longing for an intimate connection with a lover who is not fully available. This is conveyed through the pleading chorus and Lil Nas X's breathy, intimate vocal delivery.

Simultaneously, the song is overwhelmingly defiant. Having been told that his sexuality would lead to damnation, Lil Nas X flips the narrative, creating an emotional tone of unapologetic rebellion. Instead of shame, there is pride; instead of fear, there is a bold embrace of the 'sin' he's accused of. This is evident in the explicit lyrics and the grand, theatrical nature of the production.

There is a palpable sense of vulnerability, especially in the context of the letter he wrote to his younger self, where he admits the fear involved in releasing such a personal and provocative song. This vulnerability makes the eventual emotional climax one of triumph. By the end of the narrative (especially in the music video), where he seizes control of Hell itself, the emotion shifts to pure empowerment and liberation. The song takes the listener on an emotional journey from a secret, yearning love to a public, powerful declaration of selfhood.

"MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" had a monumental cultural impact upon its release. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Lil Nas X's second chart-topper after "Old Town Road." It also topped the charts in over 20 other countries, including the UK, Canada, and France, solidifying his status as a global superstar.

The song and its music video sparked a massive cultural conversation and widespread controversy. Conservative and religious figures condemned the video's use of biblical imagery and its depiction of Satan, deeming it immoral. This backlash, however, was met with fervent praise from fans and critics who celebrated the song as a groundbreaking and unapologetic anthem for queer, Black identity. It was lauded for challenging heteronormativity within the hip-hop genre and for its bold artistic vision.

The song's title and themes brought renewed attention to the film and novel Call Me by Your Name, with the book's author, André Aciman, expressing his gratitude for the song's reference. The track's provocative nature also led to the creation of the infamous "Satan Shoes," a limited-edition collaboration with the art collective MSCHF, which further fueled public debate.

Ultimately, "MONTERO" is considered a landmark moment in LGBTQ+ representation in music. It pushed boundaries for mainstream artists, demonstrating that explicitly queer themes could achieve massive commercial success while making a powerful political statement. The song cemented Lil Nas X's reputation as a fearless and innovative artist who masterfully uses controversy and cultural dialogue to amplify his message of self-love and acceptance.

The rhyme and rhythm of "MONTERO" are crucial to its catchy and compelling nature. The song primarily utilizes a simple, effective rhyme scheme that enhances its pop sensibilities. In the pre-chorus, we see an AABB pattern: 'friends' rhymes with 'pretend,' and 'sin' rhymes with 'can' (a slant rhyme). The chorus follows a similar structure: 'need' rhymes with 'need,' and 'way' with 'way,' emphasizing the central plea through repetition.

The rhythm is a distinctive blend of influences. It's built on a dembow-style beat, characteristic of reggaeton, which gives the track its danceable, hip-swaying feel. This is overlaid with a flamenco-inspired acoustic guitar riff that provides the main melodic hook. The tempo is moderate, allowing for both the sensual, longing tone of the verses and the assertive confidence of the chorus. The lyrical rhythm often employs syncopation, playing against the steady trap beat in the background. This interplay creates a dynamic and modern sound. The humming sections ('Mmm, mmm, mmm') serve as a rhythmic and melodic break, a wordless motif that punctuates the lyrical narrative and enhances the song's sensual atmosphere.

"MONTERO" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to achieve its impact.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track blends genres, described as hip hop and electropop with a distinct Spanish and Latin influence, featuring a flamenco-like guitar riff and a subtle trap beat. Some critics also noted a dembow-style rhythm, common in reggaeton.
• Harmonic Tension: The chord progression (D♯–E–E–D♯) utilizes a minor second interval, which creates and releases tension, mirroring the lyrical themes of longing and conflict.
• Unique Instrumentation: Guitarist Omer Fedi uses a banjo on a harmonic minor scale, which is then processed with reverb and Auto-Tune to create the song's signature melodic hook.
• Vocal Delivery: Lil Nas X's vocal performance shifts throughout the song. The humming sections act as a non-verbal 'mating call,' conveying intimacy and desire. His delivery in the second verse has been compared to emo-rap artists like Juice Wrld.

Literary Techniques:

• Allusion: The song is built on allusions, most notably to the film/book Call Me By Your Name and to biblical narratives like the Garden of Eden.
• Metaphor: The entire song is a metaphor for embracing one's queer identity in the face of societal and religious condemnation. 'Living in the dark' is a metaphor for being closeted.
• Irony: There is significant irony in embracing the very symbols (Hell, Satan) used to condemn him, turning them into symbols of empowerment.
• Direct and Unapologetic Language: In contrast to the often-coded language in queer music of the past, Lil Nas X uses explicit and direct lyrics to describe gay desire and sex, a stylistic choice made to normalize these themes in mainstream pop and hip-hop.

What is the meaning behind 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)'?

The song is a declaration of queer self-acceptance. 'Montero' is Lil Nas X's real name, and 'Call Me By Your Name' references a book and film about an intimate gay romance. It's about his personal journey of embracing his sexuality in the face of religious condemnation he experienced growing up.

Why was the music video for 'MONTERO' so controversial?

The music video caused controversy due to its use of religious and satanic imagery. It depicts Lil Nas X in a reimagined Garden of Eden, descending to Hell on a stripper pole, and giving a lap dance to Satan. This was seen as blasphemous by some, but was intended as a metaphor for reclaiming his identity from homophobic religious narratives.

Who wrote and produced 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)'?

The song was written by Lil Nas X (Montero Hill) and co-written and produced by the duo Take a Daytrip (Denzel Baptiste and David Biral), Omer Fedi, and Roy Lenzo.

When was 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)' released?

The song was officially released on March 26, 2021, as the lead single from Lil Nas X's debut studio album, 'Montero'.

What is the significance of the title 'Call Me By Your Name'?

The subtitle is a direct reference to a 2017 film and 2007 novel of the same name, which tells the story of a gay romance. In that story, the lovers call each other by their own names as a sign of ultimate intimacy and unity. Lil Nas X uses it to express a desire for a deep, soul-level connection.

What is the story behind Lil Nas X's letter to his younger self?

On the day of the song's release, Lil Nas X posted a letter to his 14-year-old self. In it, he acknowledged his past fear of coming out and explained that releasing the song was scary but necessary to 'open doors for many other queer people to simply exist.'

What musical genres does 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)' belong to?

The song is primarily a blend of hip hop and electropop. It also incorporates strong influences from flamenco, reggaeton, and trap music, creating a unique and genre-bending sound.