Mike Maimone Releases Fearless, Funky Pride Anthem
In Big Kiss, Mike Maimone doesn’t just sing about love—he lives it, boldly and without apology. And in a world that too often punishes visibility, that’s a revolution in itself.
Out singer-songwriter Mike Maimone is ushering in Pride season with a radiant new single, “Big Kiss”—a bluesy, gospel-tinged celebration of queer love, joyful defiance, and the quiet power of visibility. Releasing today, the track is the third single from his forthcoming album Guess What? I Love You, and serves as both a heartfelt love letter and a bold political statement.
The song was inspired by a fleeting but unforgettable moment Maimone shared with his late husband, renowned Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman. While on a road trip, the couple stopped at a dusty desert diner, where a simple act of hand-holding drew skeptical stares. Maimone remembers the moment not with fear, but with gratitude.
“We endured some glares, but that was it,” Maimone reflects. “It felt good to hold Howard’s hand and steal a little kiss in a coffee shop. I never got to experience that kind of puppy love as a kid, being in the closet.”
That small gesture—equal parts tender and defiant—sparked a creative fire. Maimone wrote “Big Kiss” in just twenty minutes.
“It’s rare for me to write lyrics so fast,” he says. “When it does happen, it feels less like my own creation and more like I’m transcribing something being dictated to me.”
The track bursts with vibrant energy. Featuring rollicking New Orleans piano, gospel horns, and a swampy rhythm section, it was recorded live with no edits, preserving the raw spontaneity of a band in sync.
“The groove carries this song,” Maimone explains. “The tiny imperfections of playing live give the song its soul.”
That authenticity carries through to the song’s message. “Big Kiss” is more than a feel-good bop—it’s a protest wrapped in celebration.
“You don’t typically hear men singing about loving other men in blues music,” Maimone laughs. “In an increasingly divided society, it’s more important than ever to be seen in spaces where queer voices are typically hushed.”
He hopes the track finds its way onto blues playlists. “I’ll be playing it loud and proud in every dive bar and rock club I can,” he adds.
Beyond its cultural message, “Big Kiss” is also a loving tribute to Howard Bragman, whose life’s work championed LGBTQ+ visibility. Bragman helped high-profile celebrities like Family Ties star Meredith Baxter come out, and worked with NBA player John Amaechi in 2007 and NFL prospect Michael Sam in 2014 when they publicly shared their truths.
“There’s a reason Howard and I fell in love during the last year of his remarkable life,” Maimone reflects. “Now I’m carrying on his legacy in the ways I know how—as a musician, songwriter, and storyteller.”
The emotional resonance of the song deepened during production. Maimone recalls the moment he received an overdub from guitarist Ellen Angelico.
“When I popped it into the song and listened to her solo for the first time, I cried. Hard. Like a full-body, from-the-soul cry. It sounded so good. I wanted so desperately to share it with Howard, but I couldn’t.”
A stripped-down piano version of “Big Kiss” further reveals its intimacy. “Playing it solo lets me explore the intimacy of whispering, like when you lean in close for a smooch,” he says. “It’s the most authentic form of the song.”
Above all, “Big Kiss” stands as a musical manifesto for joyful, visible queerness.
“If I could boil this song down to one message,” Maimone says, “it’s this: be true to yourself. The whole world benefits from your authenticity.”
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Comments (1)
This song sounds really powerful. It's great how a simple moment inspired such a meaningful track. I like that it combines different elements like blues and gospel. It makes me wonder if there are other artists out there who've had similar experiences that led to impactful songs. And do you think this kind of music can really make a difference in changing attitudes towards queer love?