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nerdygaymormon · 3 years

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My Queer Playlist - Part 2

These are songs from 1994 to 2011

1994 - A Deeper Love : Aretha Franklin - No longer will I do all the things that I used to do. That’s right, I’ve been working on my self-esteem, self-respect and becoming proud of who I am. Pride is developing a deeper love for ourselves.

1994 - Streets of Philadelphia : Bruce Springsteen - Bruce wrote this haunting song for the film Philadelphia, which was about a lawyer who was fired for being gay & having HIV. Oh brother, are you gonna leave me wastin’ away on the streets of Philadelphia? These lyrics ask how society could turn its back on those who need help the most. He can hear the blood pulsing in his veins, and he describes the blood as black because HIV/AIDS is figuratively black and deadly instead of red & life giving.

1994 - Don’t Go Breaking My Heart : RuPaul & Elton John - This is a remake of Elton’s hit from 1976, but he’s replaced singer Kiki Dee with drag superstar RuPaul. Two legendary queer icons singing a duet, of course it belongs on this list.

1994 - Girls & Boys : Blur - Blur wouldn’t have success in the USA until 1997 with the release of Song 2. However in the UK, this song of gender & sexual freedom was a hit. Girls who are boys, who likes boys to be girls, who do boys like they’re girls, who do girls like they’re boys.

1994 - Always : Erasure - Erasure frontman was the openly gay Andy Bell, and this song has him singing for a lover to accept him and be with him forever.

1994 - 100% Pure Love : Crystal Waters - Huge dance hit about being in love. There's no gender identified, and I like these lyrics near the end: You'll never have to run away, you'll always have a friend to play. You'll never go out on your own, in me you will find a home.

1994 - Basket Case : Green Day - Anxiety attacks and a feeling that you are going crazy aren’t usually topics of hit songs. He goes to a psychologist and she says it’s lack of sex that’s bringing me down. I went to a whore, he said my life’s a bore. Billy Joe Armstrong, the lead singer, came out as bi in 1995, so this lyric may have been hinting at that.

1994 - Connection : Elastica - I don’t understand how a heart is a spade, but somehow the vital connection is made. A song that references a spade while singing about intimacy, that counted as peak ace culture in the 1990′s. Asexual folks often use the ace of spades to represent their orientation.

1995 - Everlasting Love : Gloria Estefan - Because she was pregnant, Estefan didn't appear in the video and instead had 5 drag queens impersonate her. The LGBT community had embraced her and this is seen as her embracing them back.

1995 - I Kissed a Girl : Jill Sobule - A song of yearning, confusion, & freedom.

1995 - Waterfalls : TLC - Hugely successful song that addressed hard topics, including HIV/AIDS. His health is fading and he doesn't know why, three letters took him to his final resting place. In the video, a woman decides against using a condom with her boyfriend. A small twin photo frame shows her picture in one frame and a montage of all her previous lovers flashes in the other. The boyfriend with whom she didn’t use the condom notices his face getting the symptoms of AIDS and the two of them sit quietly on the edge of her bed as both the man & his picture fade away.

1995 - Free 2 Be : RuPaul feat. Skeltal Ki & Chris Willis - This song is about being free to be yourself and loving who you want.

1995 - Queer : Garbage - The term “queer” in these lyrics meant odd or different, but Garbage welcomes how the queer community uses that word when we sing along to the song.

1995 - Il Adore : Boy George - A poignant song about those who died from AIDS. How far must it go, how near must it be before it touches you, before it touches me. Here in this cold white room tied up to these machines, it's hard to imagine life as it used to be.

1995 - I Am the Body Beautiful : Salt-n-Pepa - This song plays in the opening scenes of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! as jaws are dropping at seeing Wesley Snipes dressed as drag queen Noxeema Jackson. At a time when most of Hip Hop was antagonistic towards the queer community, Salt-n-Pepa were not afraid to be seen as allies.

1995 - Sexuality : k.d. lang - The lyrics sound like she’s convincing a shy lover that it’s okay to be in a lesbian romance. Now how bad could it be if you should fall in love with me?

1996 – Jesus to a Child : George Michael - This heartbreaking and devastatingly beautiful song is a tribute to George’s Brazilian love, Anselmo Feleppa, who died from AIDS. This song is a glimpse of the tenderness and love they shared together. The song’s rhythm and harmony is influenced by the Brazilian bossa nova sound.

1996 - Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit : Gina G - This song was Australian singer Gina G’s debut single and it reached No. 1 in the UK and Israel, and in the US, the song peaked at #12. Not sure why this became such a gay anthem in the UK other than it’s a cute danceable song she performed at Eurovision

1996 - I Will Survive : Diana Ross - Diana Ross is beloved by the gay community, and in the 1990′s she recorded this song which had been a gay favorite from the 1970′s. As if that’s not enough, this video is full of drag queens, including RuPaul. This was a gift to her gay fans.

1996 - Fastlove : George Michael - This guy was in a committed relationship that didn’t work out and now he just wants to not worry about romance. Had some bad love, so fast love is all that’s on my mind. But even as he’s saying he’s seeking casual hookups, he keeps saying he misses his baby, that being with someone he loves would be his preference. The video is about the chaos of modern sexuality with people choosing virtual sex partners, with many male and female options appearing.

1996 - I Want You : Savage Garden - This was Savage Garden's breakout hit. After singer Darren Hayes came out as gay in 2001, he was asked if there were songs in Savage Garden's catalog that contained any coded gay messages. He replied, "'I Want You' is a song about a dream about being in love with a male energy, and waking up and feeling sad that I knew there was a part of me that was missing." He was in the closet, married to a wife, but dreaming about men. No wonder the song has this curious vibe of wanting to be close to a person I’m attracted to but not sure I should.

1996 - Wannabe : Spice Girls - The Spice Girls’ core message is that female relationships are strong and rewarding, something the lesbian community will attest to.

1996 - It’s All Coming Back to Me Now : Celine Dion - I think Celine is popular with gays because she's a diva singer with a kitschy side. This song in particular is popular because it’s pretty dramatic for a love song, a chance to display a range of emotions at the karaoke.

1996 – Seasons of Love : Cast from the musical Rent - What is the proper way is to measure the value of a year in a human life? The most meaningful way is to measure in love. Since four of the lead characters in the show have HIV or AIDS, the song is often associated with World AIDS Day and AIDS awareness month.

1996 - Say You’ll Be There : Spice Girls - The Spice Girls' message of girl power and their iconic outfits in this video made them favorites to impersonate among the drag community

1996 - 2 Become 1 : Spice Girls - Realizing that the group had become queer icons with a large gay fanbase, the Spice Girls changed the lyrics of one line to be more inclusive when they released this single. The original lyrics were Any deal that we endeavour, boys and girls feel good together. This was changed to Once again if we endeavour, Love will bring us back together.

1997 - The Real Thing : Lisa Stansfield - In the video, Stansfield has magical abilities and she interacts with 3 people. In the final scene of the video, a gay man is by himself looking at another man who is busy talking with his friends. Stansfield walks over, sings to him and magic dust sprinkles on him. The man walks over to the other man, who leaves his friends and they walk off together.

1997 - Free : Ultra Naté - 'Cause you're free to do what you want to do. You've got to live your life, do what you want to do. You come out, grow up, and get to make your own choices and be free to become the person you want and to live your life.

1997 - Go the Distance : Michael Bolton - This song from the Disney movie Hercules is about not fitting in and declaring that no matter what struggles lie ahead, I’m going to find a place that accepts me. I have often dreamed of a far off place where a hero's welcome would be waiting for me. Where the crowds would cheer, when they see my face and a voice keeps saying this is where I'm meant to be. I'll be there someday, I can go the distance. I will find my way if I can be strong. I know every mile would be worth my while. When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong.

1997 - Pink Triangle : Weezer - The singer sees a woman he imagines he’ll marry until he sees she is wearing a pink triangle (at the time a symbol of the gay community). He’s disappointed she’s a lesbian and sings Everyone's a little queer. Can't she be a little straight? Turns out this actually happened to lead singer Rivers Cuomo while a student at Harvard, he saw a woman and fantasized about her until he saw the pink triangle on her backpack. Later he learned she’s not a lesbian but was showing support to the gay community.

1997 - Somewhere : Pet Shop Boys - The Pet Shop Boys put their spin on this song from the musical West Side Story about forbidden love and dreaming of a place where such love is accepted.

1997 - You Have Been Loved : George Michael - George Michael wrote this song about Anselmo Feleppa, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1993. The beginning of the song describes Anselmo’s mother, who visits his grave and says goodbye, telling him You have been loved. The ending chorus has Anselmo telling George, You have been loved. The line, If I was weak, forgive me; but I was terrified, refers to the trauma George felt during Anselmo’s decline in health. While an intense song about grief and death, it also involves a spiritual struggle. What’s the use in pressing palms, if you [God] won’t keep such love from harm? It’s a cruel world. You’ve so much to prove.

1997 - Come On, Eileen : Save Ferris - This is a remake of the 1982 hit by Dexys Midnight Runners which was about getting a school girl to overcome her Catholic repression in order to be in a relationship. Only now a woman is singing about Eileen.

1997 - Free Xone : Janet Jackson - Even though the song wasn’t released as a single, it was important to the LGBT community to have one of the biggest artists of the time have a positive song on her album about gay relationships. Boy meets boy, Boy loses boy, Boy gets cute boy back. Girl meets girl, Girl loses girl, Girl gets cute girl back.

1997 - Tonight’s the Night : Janet Jackson - Janet gave Rod Stewart’s song “Tonight’s the Night” a lesbian reinterpretation.

1997 - Spice Up Your Life : Spice Girls - This is an anthem for fun where everyone, no matter their background and identity, is welcome. Every boy and every girl.

1997 - Together Again : Janet Jackson - The album notes include “I dedicate the song ‘Together Again’ to the friends I’ve lost to AIDS.” It’s a sweet song with hopeful words of one day being reunited with those we love who have died. Everywhere I go, every smile I see, I know you are there smilin’ back at me

1998 - Diva : Dana International - Dana is a trans woman who won the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest, which was the first major celebration of a trans artist on an international stage. She became a beacon of hope for many queer people in Israel.

1998 - You’re a Superstar : Love Inc. - The most poignant lyrics to me are when it says Everything you are today is what you want to be, so don't be someone else when you be the best so easily. When you can be who you are, and stop pretending to be someone you’re not, that’s when you can reach your true potential and be a superstar. Reach for the stars and hold your head up high, for tonight and every night you're a superstar.

1998 - Reflection : Christina Aguilera - This song from the Disney movie Mulan is about how others don’t know the real you, which means the lyrics can fit the experience of being in the closet. Look at me. You may think you see who I really am, but you’ll never know me. Every day it’s as if I play a part. The song is loved by a lot of trans people because how they feel on the inside doesn’t match how they look on the outside. Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?

1998 - Jumper : Third Eye Blind - This is an anti-bullying anthem. The song is about a guy who is about to jump off a bridge because he is gay, or rather, because he is bullied for being gay. We need to be accepting and understanding of each other.

1998 - Will & Grace Theme Song - This is the theme song from the groundbreaking TV show that brought fun gay characters into America’s living rooms, helping the American people become comfortable with gay people and caused many women to want a gay best friend

1998 - Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here [Hex Hector Club Mix] : Deborah Cox - The song is about a woman who’s been burned by love too many times, and she suddenly finds herself in the fairytale ending she didn’t think would happen. This was a huge hit, spending 14 weeks at the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Simultaneously, the dance remix was beloved in the LGBTQ community and catapulted Deborah Cox to gay-icon status.

1998 - Outside : George Michael - George Michael was entrapped by police into committing a lewd act in a public restroom in Los Angeles. The news of his arrest outed him to the world. He turns that experience into a song. The video mocks the way queer people are held to different standards--many couples in the video were caught getting frisky, but the gay couples are the ones arrested.

1998 - Believe : Cher - This song is about strength, power, hope, and the fact that it’s not always easy to be who you are. Whatever happens, you’ve gotta believe there’s something better coming. Keep going and loving because things will be better.

1999 - Everlasting Night : Dannii Minogue - This official theme of the 1999 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras made Dannii a gay icon of the Australian queer community.

1999 - Strong Enough : Cher - This is sung from the perspective of Cher to a cheating lover, but one could easily interpret the lyrics to be about a repressive society that she is no longer willing to accept. It's a song about finding one's strength and moving on.

1999 - Man! I Feel Like a Woman : Shania Twain - This song delivers self-empowerment as the video challenges societal gender norms by reversing the power dynamics of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” video. I wanna be free yeah, to feel the way I feel. Man, I feel like a woman. My queer friends who identify as women love feeling like a woman.

1999 - There She Goes : Sixpence None the Richer - It’s surprising that a Christian band with a female singer does a song about being attracted to a woman who you just can’t get out of your head. There she goes. There she goes again. Racing through my brain. And I just can’t contain this feeling that remains.

1999 - G.A.Y. ★Good As You★ : Geri Halliwell - The former Spice Girl says to those who wanna dismiss her that she’s good as you (g.a.y.) and in the chorus she invites Everybody c'mon, let's get G-A-why, G-A-why

1999 - New York City Boy : Pet Shop Boys - You’re a gay young man living at home and feeling like you gotta escape? Go to New York City where you can be who you want to be.

1999 - Deceptacon : Le Tigre - Le Tigre is a female punk band that sung about feminism and the LGBT community. This song is the first track on their debut album and denounces the decline in meaningful lyrics in rock music. Before it faded away, the riot grrrl movement had addressed issues such as rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism, patriarchy, classism, anarchism and female empowerment. (warning, f-word in the song, which is very punk but may not be acceptable in certain settings)

1999 - Waiting for Tonight! : Jennifer Lopez - The lyrics are about waiting for tonight when the love she's dreamed of will finally come to be. Queer people often wait a for the love they dream of.

1999 - That’s the Way It Is : Celine Dion -To find true love, stay positive, keep going and love will find you if you don't give up on it. This song became beloved in the gay community for the positive message that love can be had even if it doesn’t seem likely.

1999 - Absolutely Everybody : Vanessa Amorosi - This was a hit in Australia & New Zealand and has been used as the anthem for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, Australia. The lyrics are inclusive, pointing out that absolutely everybody needs friends, needs to be respected, needs to love and be loved, and needs human touch. Everybody needs a human touch. Everybody, everybody needs love. I'm no different, I am just the same, a player in the game. Absolutely everybody, everybody, everybody, absolutely everybody.

2000 - Affirmation : Savage Garden - An affirmation is a statement of your beliefs. The lyrics to this song are a series of affirmations of what Savage Garden stands for: Karma, goodness, family, and inner beauty. Singer Darren Hayes had already come out privately by the time he started writing "Affirmation,” and includes the lyric I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality, and when he performed on The Jay Leno Show, he winked at the camera on that line. Darren Hayes publicly came out in 2001.

2000 - Oops... I Did it Again : Britney Spears - In the course of a year, Britney had gone from first release to the biggest pop princess in music. Her music videos were must see. She was glitz and glam and the gay community adored her. The song is how, oops, I keep making people think I’ve fallen in love with them, but really I’m toying with them.

2000 - It’s Not Right But It’s Okay : Whitney Houston - I’m gonna be okay, I’m gonna be alright shows a certain defiance & determination to continue on and not be defeated

2000 - Proud : Heather Small - What have you done today to make you feel proud? The lyrics encourage people to find the freedom to do something extraordinary. In 2012, this song was the theme for Pride in London

2000 - Let’s Get Loud : Jennifer Lopez - Let the music make you free, be what you wanna be. Great message

2000 - Music : Madonna - The song is about partying and having fun, but it also talks about the power that music has to unite people. Music makes the people come together. Music makes the bourgeoisie and the rebel. Music can overcome differences of race, class, gender and sexuality to unite us.

2000 - Stronger : Britney Spears - This empowering song is a declaration of independence and self-empowerment. You might think that I won't make it on my own, but now I'm stronger than yesterday.

2001 - Your Disco Needs You : Kylie Minogue - There is a fun campiness to the song. This homage about going to the disco club makes it sound like we have a gay duty to go dancing.

2001 - Survivor : Destiny’s Child - I’m stronger and more resistant than you think. I'm a survivor, I'm not gon' give up. I'm not gon' stop, I'm gon' work harder. I'm a survivor, I'm gonna make it. I will survive, keep on survivin'

2001 - Lady Marmalade : Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, P!nk - This fabulous foursome remade Patti LaBelle’s 1974 hit song for the movie Moulin Rouge. In the video, the singers dressed glamorously in lingerie, and the sparkles & feathers along with kicking vocals ensured this song was once again embraced by the gay community

2001 - I Wanna Be Bad : Willa Ford - The lyrics contain messages of rebellion and being oneself against the influences of other people, an inspiring message that will be relevant to the queer community whether it’s 2001 or 3001.

2001 - It’s Raining Men : Geri Halliwell - In a nod to her large gay fandom, Geri recorded this 1983 gay favorite originally sung by The Weather Girls

2001 - Absolutely Not (Channel Club Extended Mix) : Deborah Cox - Always waitin' for someone to make me happy, pick me up. I realize that someone is me. It’s a song about gaining self acceptance and self confidence. Do I measure me by what you think? Absolutely not, absolutely not. I don’t need permission from others to be fabulous. Plus this dance remix is hot and was included in the show Queer as Folk.

2001 - Can’t Get You Out of My Head : Kylie Minogue - One thing about this song is how we don’t know who she’s singing about. Is it a long-time partner, a one-night stand or someone who doesn't even know she exists? It’s obsession, not love, and that’s okay because we can’t get this song out of our head. Kylie has openly embraced her gay fans and they’ve loved her in return, and it helps that she puts out one danceable pop song after another.

2001 - I’m a Slave 4 U : Britney Spears - Britney was ready to be rid of her bubblegum princess image with her iconic performance at the 2001 VMA’s when she carried an albino Burmese python on her shoulders, solidifying her status as a fierce diva.

2001 - Androgyny : Garbage - I think this song has two messages. First, don’t dismiss people who don’t fit traditional gender roles. The other message is to individuals who can’t see the point in going on, they’re reminded that nothing in life is set in stone, there’s nothing that can’t be turned around.

2001 - I Want Love : Elton John - This song is about a man who’s gone through some hard times, lost love, and as a result has some scars around his heart, and yet he still wants love.

2001 - The Middle : Jimmy Eat World - This is a song about being a teen and not fitting in. You’re in the middle of the ride and everything will be just fine, just give it some time. My favorite lyrics are Yeah, just be yourself. It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.

2001 - Keep On Livin’ : Le Tigre - This song is for LGBT individuals and also for abuse survivors. You have to deal with a lot of hard stuff but keep on, keep on livin’. Le Tigre has a dedicated page on their website called "Keep On Livin'" which contains advice from JD Samson for coming out, as well as help from Kathleen Hanna for sexual abuse survivors (Samson & Hanna co-wrote the song “Keep On Livin’”).

2001 - Overprotected : Britney Spears - Britney sings about yearning to control her destiny. There are many lyrics in this song that resonate with queer people, especially if they’re still in the closet or if they live in a home with parents who don’t accept their child is queer. I'll tell 'em what I like, what I want, and what I don't, but every time I do, I stand corrected. If you’ve ever been told to deny who you are, these lyrics slap hard: I'm so fed up with people telling me to be someone else but me

2002 - Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go) : Garbage - Cherry Lips is inspired by a fictional trans woman who is a delicate boy who is a girl with cherry lips who makes the whole world want to dance.

2002 - Anything is Possible : Will Young - Will Young became the first winner of the British show that inspired Idol franchises around the world. The song “Anything is Possible” is such a great song for someone who wins a singing competition, truly anything does seem possible in that moment. After winning Pop Idol, in order to pre-empt a tabloid newspaper that was about to out him, Young publicly announced he is gay.

2002 - Song for the Lonely : Cher - Cher is praying for you to find love and companionship.

2002 - All the Things She Said : t.a.T.u. - This music video is about two women developing feelings for each other. It was controversial for its portrayal of underage lesbians kissing and many stations, including the BBC, would only air the video after cutting the kissing scenes, which exemplifies how queer people are held to a different standard as a straight teenage couple kissing wouldn’t have caused any concern. Given Russia’s homophobic laws, it is ironic that this song is it’s biggest musical export.

2002 - Beautiful : Christina Aguilera - This song affirms those who feel they don’t fit in. It’s a message of self-empowerment and individuality. The video includes young people with body issues, a goth punk, a person assigned male at birth putting on women’s clothes, and two guys kissing. Positive images of gay and transgender people? Yes please! I am beautiful no matter what they say. Words can’t bring me down, but songs can lift you up, and this one does.

2003 - Try It on My Own : Whitney Houston - And I am not afraid to try it on my own. I don’t care If I’m right or wrong. I’ll live my life the way I feel. No matter what I’ll keep it real, you know. Time for me to do it on my own. Love that idea, I’m the one who’ll have to live with the consequences, so I’m gonna choose how I live my life

2003 - Fighter : Christina Aguilera - This empowerment anthem is using the pain caused to you by others to fuel your drive to succeed.

2003 – Defying Gravity : Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth – In this song from the musical Wicked, the character Elphaba sings of how she wants to live without limits, going against the rules that others have set for her.

2003 - Gay Bar : Electric Six - The lyrics are straight forward, I wanna take you to a gay bar. The music video is fabulously crazy, singer Dick Valentine portrays Abraham Lincoln in the White House getting ready to go to a gay bar--he loses the pants, exercises, takes a bath, and dons leather gear.

2003 - All Thing (Just Keep Getting Better) : Widelife with Simone Denny - This is the theme song for the show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy which worked to build acceptance for gay people as it presented gay men as people who can help straight men up their game. This show brought gay people into America’s living rooms in a way that felt safe.

2003 - If You Were Gay : Cast from the musical Avenue Q - An irreverent musical uses puppets resembling Sesame Street’s Bert & Ernie to sing this song. It’s about how a closeted person may have trouble accepting themselves, even if their friend is affirming.

2003 - Trouble : P!nk - The video is set in the Old West. P!nk comes into town, sees the horses aren’t being well cared for and fights the men neglecting them. She goes into the saloon and is refused a drink because the sheriff thinks she might be trouble, and she affirms I’m trouble and starts a brawl. Singing along to this song is fun as I feel like I’m tough and not gonna take it anymore. You gonna disrespect me or those I care for, then I’m trouble. Fun fact, the group Pussycat Dolls weren’t recording artists at that time but known for their burlesque shows and they are in this video dancing on the bar.

2003 - I U She : Peaches - Set to a fast electronic beat, this song has a simple message: I don’t have to make the choice, I like girls and I like boys. Oh, and let's add some whips, crops, canes, whatever.

2003 - Mr. Brightside : The Killers - This song is about knowing the person you’re crushing on is with someone else and it breaks your heart. The way the song is written, it's unclear if it's the woman or the man that the singer is heartbroken about.

2003 – Me Against the Music : Britney Spears, Madonna - The music video shows Britney and Madonna in a cat-and-mouse chase. Britney finds Madonna in the end, only for the latter to disappear just before they kiss.

2004 - Toxic : Britney Spears - This song is basically a girl addicted to a guy and she’ll do anything to keep him because the taste of his lips is intoxicating. Idk why this became such an anthem in the gay community other than in the early 2000′s Britney’s presence in pop culture was dominant, and she was a supporter of the queer community, and each song she put out was empowering, sexually playful and had a sense of vulnerability.

2004 - Amazing : George Michael - George started a new relationship with Kenny, and during that time George’s mom was fighting cancer and Kenny was there for him. To be able to comfort a person in their time of grief and come out of it closer together, that’s amazing.

2004 - Somebody Told Me : The Killers - The singer says that you’re dating a boy who looks like his former girlfriend, that’s pretty queer.

2004 - Take Your Mama : Scissor Sisters - The Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears is very close to his mother and this song is about him coming out to her as gay. The song suggests taking your mama out to a gay bar to show her that we are all doing the best we can. In other words, let your mother see your friends, community, and the real you.

2004 - Proud of Your Boy : Clay Aiken - This song was written for Disney’s Aladdin and while it didn’t make the film, it was included on the CD, and later in the 2011 Broadway musical. The lyrics make me think of coming out and worrying if their parents will still be proud of [their] boy? Clay came out as gay a few years later in 2008.

2004 - Flawless (Go to the City) : George Michael - Seizing the day and enjoying life by moving to the big city where you can be out and flawless is a storyline that resonates with many queer people. You're wasted here, you're a star in this small town of hand-me-downs who don't even know it.

2004 - Michael : Franz Ferdinand - At a dance party, two friends seem to become more than friends. Michael, you're the boy with all the leather hips, sticky hair, sticky hips, stubble on my sticky lips

2004 - Walking with a Ghost : Tegan and Sara - Thanks to a popular cover by the White Stripes, this is the song that brought twin sisters Tegan and Sara to people’s attention. This song is about being haunted by memories of her former romantic partner. No matter which way you go, no matter which way you stay, you're out of my mind, out of my mind.

2004 - Viz : Le Tigre - "Viz" is short for visibility, and this song is about butch-lesbian visibility

2004 - I Believe in You : Kylie Minogue - This song was written by Kylie together with the Scissor Sisters (a band where four of its five members are openly gay men who sing songs addressing queer topics), it’s no wonder this swirling disco-esque hit was embraced by the gay community

2005 - Hung Up : Madonna - This song is about living your best life and not wasting any more time on men who won’t call, and it includes that synthesizer riff from ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)”

2006 - Standing in the Way of Control : Gossip - The song was written by lead singer Beth Ditto as a response to the Federal Marriage Amendment which would have constitutionally outlawed same-sex marriage in the United States. Beth said: "Nobody in the States was that surprised or shocked by what Bush did, but it made everyone I know feel helpless and cheated. I wrote the chorus to try and encourage people not to give up. It's a scary time for civil rights, but I really believe the only way to survive is to stick together and keep fighting."

2006 - Sorry : Madonna - I don't wanna hear. I don't wanna know. Please don't say 'forgive me.' I've seen it all before and I can't take it anymore. You've gone too far and a simple apology won't fix this, time to stand up for myself and leave you.

2006 - Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other : Willie Nelson - Willie Nelson’s long-time friend and tour manager came out of the closet which prompted Willie to release this song which queerifies the stereotypes associated with cowboys (and in truth, gay cowboys were common back in the day, but most people today are not aware of this). Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other. Say, what do you think all them saddles and boots was about?

2006 - Fashionista : Jimmy James - This fiercely campy song is an homage to high fashion goes out to all the queens who know how to serve. Fashion is the art, designers are the gods. Models play the part of angels in the dark. The song pokes fun at the self-seriousness of the fashion set and uses the artificiality of fashion as a metaphor for life

2006 - One : U2, Mary J. Blige - A remake of the 1992 hit about the difficulty of a son coming out to his religious father.

2006 - Take Me or Leave Me : Idina Menzel, Tracie Thoms - This song from Rent has become one of the great breakup songs, and is sung between two polar opposite women: flirty Maureen and controlling Joanne

2006 - The Wings : Gustavo Santaolalla - This is the theme song from the movie Brokeback Mountain which was about the complex emotional and sexual relationship between two men in the 1960′s. The song itself is an instrumental. It begins as a guitar solo, then another instrument is added, and this is followed by a large instrumentation. I think it’s a way of showing the more we share our life with others the richer the music is we produce.

2006 - Valerie : Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse - Amy sings about yearning for her old lover Valerie. In this accoustic version the passion and desperation in her voice is so convincing. Well my body's been a mess and I've missed your ginger hair and the way you like to dress. Won't you come on over? Stop making a fool out of me. Why don't you come on over Valerie?

2006 - An Easier Affair : George Michael - I told myself I was straight but I shouldn't have worried ‘cause my maker had a better plan for me. I love that lyric! George tells us life is a much easier affair without hiding in the closet and not worrying about the haters.

2006 - I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ : Scissor Sisters - This song is a response to the Bee Gees disco hit "You Should Be Dancing." Jake Shears called this "The happiest-sounding song ever written about staying in and feeling miserable."

2006 - Boys Wanna Be Her : Peaches - The singer has a magnetic presence & control over people. You've got them all by the balls, causing waterfalls. Stonewalls, bar brawls, climbing stalls at concert halls. The chorus recognizes her universal appeal as the boys wanna be her, the girls wanna be her, they desire her qualities and confidence. The second verse is about her musical prowess, talent, and individuality. The way you rock non-stop, girl, you got the chops. Flip-flop, she bop, self-taught, your licks are hot. Her power comes from being unapologetically herself, finding her voice, and defying gender conventions.

2006 - I’m Gay : Bowling for Soup - The song uses the word ‘gay’ in the old-fashioned sense to mean ‘happy,’ but they do so tongue-in-cheek. In the chorus they encourage everyone to say "I’m gay!” I want to hear you say, "I'm gay!" (I'm gay!) Say, "I'm gay!" (I'm gay!).

2006 - And I am Telling You I’m Not Going : Jennifer Hudson - This song is about an underdog,. And I am telling you that I’m not going. I’m going to be here and I’m going to thrive, I’m going to be me and you’re going to see me and you’re gonna love me.

2007 - Grace Kelly : MIKA - Mika felt frustrated with record label executives who wanted him to change his sound to be more like another singer. Mika wrote “Grace Kelly” to reject the idea of pretending to be someone else to win approval. We love Mika because he’s authentically queer and has no interest in conforming.

2007 - Billy Brown : MIKA - It was all going according to plan for Billy Brown--he had a wife, two kids and a dog. Then he fell in love with another man. A tale of bisexual awakening.

2007 - My Interpretation : MIKA - This is a gay breakup song. He doesn’t want to talk with his ex about why their relationship ended, because I have my interpretation and don’t need to hear your version. This is not about emotion. I don't need a reason not to care what you say, or what happened in the end. And it don't have to make no sense to you at all 'cause this is my interpretation

2007 - Verbatim : Mother Mother - Sexuality isn’t determined by our behavior but by who we’re attracted to. I wear women's underwear and then I go to strike a pose in my full length mirror. I cross my legs just like a queer, but my libido is strong when a lady is near, ya. What defines a straight man's straight?

2007 - Touch Up : Mother Mother - All my makeup, it has washed off. I need a touch up. He uses makeup and skincare as a way of renovating or updating his image, not something a male singer would typically sing about.

2007 - Dear Mr. President (feat. Indigo Girls) : P!nk - This song criticizes George W. Bush’s presidency, including the Iraq War, No Child Left Behind Act, opposition to gay marriage and the gay rights movement, and a lack of empathy for poor and middle-class citizens. This lyric, though: And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay. The song features vocals from the Indigo Girls, both of whom are lesbians.

2007 - Love Today : MIKA - The song tells stories about people who want to find love in many different ways. Everybody is looking for someone to love and to be loved back, or maybe they’re looking to get laid, it all depends on how you want to interpret the lyrics, but however you interpret it, we want love today.

2007 - That’s Not My Name : The Ting Tings - This is a song for anyone who’s been disrespected by being deadnamed. The Ting Tings are a duo made of Katie White and Jules De Martino, who aren’t just musical partners but also romantic partners.

2007 - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) : MIKA - Mika covers this 1983 Eurythmics’ anthem of resilience. This song acknowledges that sometimes life is hard, some people want to use or abuse you, but hold your head up, and keep moving on and you’re sure to have sweet dreams.

2007 - I Don’t Dance : Corbin Bleu & Lucas Grabeel - This song from High School Musical 2 is where Chad, co-president of the drama club, is trying to get Ryan, co-president of the basketball team, to “swing” to the other side, if you know what I mean. The scene in the movie is about playing baseball, and at the end of it, the two of them are sitting together wearing the other’s clothes. Guess Chad got Ryan to swing.

2007 - Gimme More : Britney Spears - After months of having her personal life made very public, Britney used this song to make a comeback. Her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards was criticized as lackluster and lots of people commented on whether she’d ever recover. Gay YouTuber Chris Crocker became an overnight sensation, pleading for people to “Leave Britney alone!” Britney survived, bounced back, and 9 of her 13 top 10 hits came after this.

2007 - Happy Ending : MIKA - Not every saga or relationship lasts joyously forever, some will not have a happy ending. Find hope from the despair and that is how to start on an even more beautiful story that leads to a happy ending.

2007 - Untouched : The Veronicas - There's nothing explicitly queer in the lyrics of this song, but it rocks and is sung by a queer singer & an ally. The Veronicas is a band of 2 twin sisters from Australia, Lisa and Jessica Origliasso. Jessica identifies as queer and sexually fluid, she has had high-profile relationships with women and men. Lisa marched in support of gay marriage in California, and both sisters joined the "Wear it with Pride" campaign to overturn discrimination against same-sex couples in Australia.

2007 - Lollipop : MIKA - “Lollipop” is a song in which Mika is warning against falling in love too fast. You should live your life to the fullest, and not let loneliness get in the way of happiness, do not live your life waiting for love.

2008 - Back in Your Head : Tegan and Sara - I think this song is about a relationship that has gotten so comfortable that it’s become a friendship and not a romance. This lyric is brilliant: Build a wall of books between us in our bed, going to bed has turned into reading book after book until the lights go out, no longer any hint there might be a sexual spark. While the lyrics don’t indicate the gender of their partner, given it’s a song by twin sisters who are both lesbian, we can assume it’s about a girlfriend.

2008 - Just Dance : Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis - This is Gaga’s first hit and she tells herself to just dance and everything will be okay. Whatever hard things are going on in our life, sometimes we have to take a break and dance. Lady Gaga performed this at the inaugural NewNowNext Awards, which were broadcast on the Logo network which is a channel aimed at the queer community

2008 - I Kissed a Girl : Katy Perry - Katy has a boyfriend, but she kissed a girl and liked it. Don’t pretend you don’t want to run to the nearest drugstore for some cherry chapstick after listening to this song.

2008 - This is Me : Demi Lovato - This song from Camp Rock wasn't purposefully queer but has become a coming-out song

2008 - Hayloft : Mother Mother : In 2020, asking someone, “Hey, do you listen to Mother Mother?” is essentially asking if someone is nonbinary. This is because on TikTok people frequently used the lead-in instrumentals of the song “Hayloft” on videos when someone talks about discoveries regarding their identity that distinguishes them from their cisgender peers.

2008 - Burning Pile : Mother Mother : In this song, a man gathers up all his problems and burns them. Life can be complicated and how nice it would be to gather up all the complications of our life and be rid of them.

2008 - Body : Mother Mother - The song “Body” details a process of casting off limbs and organs by the singer because they’ve grown tired of this body, a cumbersome and heavy body, which works as a gender dysphoria anthem.

2008 - Arms Tonite : Mother Mother - While it may be a fluke that their music became associated with being nonbinary, many Mother Mother songs challenge conformity and participation in cis-normative societal roles.

2008 - Poker Face : Lady Gaga - “Poker Face” is all about masking your thoughts. During a performance in 2009, Gaga explained that the song is about her personal experience with bisexuality. When she’s with a man but fantasizing about a woman, she’s got a “Poker Face” so he won’t know what is going through her mind.

2008 - Womanizer : Britney Spears - There’s a stereotype that gay people walk quickly and the joke is it’s because we have “Womanizer” by Britney Spears (140 bpm) playing in our heads.

2008 - Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) : Beyoncé - What is it about songs of strong women that gay men love, especially if they’re danceable? Beyoncé is a diva loved by gay men and she reciprocates the love. In 2013, Beyoncé said she supported marriage equality. “If you like it you should be able to put a ring on it.” There have been countless videos uploaded of gay men performing to this song.

2009 - Cover Girl : RuPaul - The theme song to RuPaul’s Drag Race, the TV show which brought Drag performance and culture to the masses.

2009 - Diva : Beyoncé - Beyoncé’s is loved by gay men, trans women, and drag queens love to perform her songs. And this song feels like she acknowledges this as she repeatedly states “I’m a diva.”

2009 - Champion : RuPaul - Drag Race has become a platform that pushes one RuPaul song after another into a hit, this being one of them.

2009 - The Climb : Miley Cyrus - Miley sings of perseverance and overcoming self-doubt. The song inspires everyone to keep going. Whether you’re in search of a dream or going through a difficult time, learn to appreciate the long journey to a better place.

2009 - If U Seek Amy : Britney Spears - “If U Seek Amy” is a song that lets you see either a dirty pun, or her sexual interest in a woman, or both. Love me, hate me. Say what you want about me, but all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy (F.U.C.K me).

2009 - Love Who You Love : Rascal Flatts - This song was written as a reminder to show affection to the people closest to you, as you never know when it will be too late. Singer Gary LeVox said this track also can be interpreted as a message of support towards the gay community.

2009 - When Love Takes Over : David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When you grow up ashamed of who you are, that’s complicated and it takes time to be ready to love someone. But when we fall in love it feels so good and wonderful, that’s when love takes over from shame. Letting ourselves live & love is a way to show pride in ourselves.

2009 - Love Story : The Scene Aesthetics - This acoustic/indie pop band did a cover of Taylor Swift’s song “Love Story.” Having two males sing the love lyrics to each other gives the song a new feel.

2009 - Heavy Cross : Gossip - This song was the first international hit for Gossip, reaching the top ten across Europe, yet lesbian lead singer Beth Ditto, who is outspoken in support of LGBT and feminist causes, isn’t well known in her home country of the USA. Beth exclaims that life is very hard alone. It's a cruel cruel world, to face on your own, a heavy cross, to carry alone.

2009 - Jealous of my Boogie : RuPaul - A song made popular by RuPaul’s Drag Race

2009 - Bulletproof : La Roux - The song is about a girl who has been through a lot of bad relationships and hopes that next time maybe I'll be bulletproof, meaning she hopes she doesn't get hurt when things go wrong. Singer Elly Jackson was vague in answering questions about her sexuality. She had a girlfriend at the time but worried what coming out would mean for her career. She feels androgynous but more feminine than masculine, and she doesn’t call herself “gay”, “straight” or “bisexual,” she doesn’t like labels.

2009 - F*ck You : Lily Allen - The song was written as a protest against George W. Bush and his homophobia, but the song took on a bigger meaning after Prop 8, an anti-gay marriage state constitutional amendment, was passed in California. This song is now used against all kind of homophobia.

2009 - Butch : Saint Motel - While her dad is gone, she sneaks into his room and puts on his clothes. A guy shows up at the house and sees her, is she a butch lesbian or possibly trans? I’m into you, but what am I into? A girl or are you a guy? Being into someone even if you aren’t sure of their gender is so queer.

2009 - We Are Golden : MIKA - This song is a celebration of youth. The video has Mika dancing around his teenage bedroom in his underpants. Mika has said the song's theme is about a person’s burgeoning sexuality. With that in mind, these lyrics hint that teenager Mika would eventually come out as gay: We are not what you think we are, and I was running from the things that you’d say.

2009 - Toy Boy : MIKA -This is a song done in 3 scenes. Scene 1 is about a boy who was dating another boy. His boyfriend’s mama says it is wrong to sleep with a boy and she says homosexuality is a serious thing in a grown-up world and for her son he would be better with a Barbie girl. Consequently he dumps the man who loves him. In scene 2, the man who was dumped is now in an unhappy marriage with a woman. His wife treats him like a toy whom she dresses like the man of her dreams, then puts him away when she's done with him. He's not himself in this marriage. In the final scene, he reminisces of how he once had a boy who loved him but now (thanks to the mom) is afraid of being with him. He hopes that in the future when his ex-boyfriend looks back, he’ll remember their time fondly, and he’ll use the tragic story of his former love to teach his son to seek happiness and love.

2009 - I See You : MIKA - The song is about being in a room with someone and having romantic thoughts & feelings about them, but not having the courage to say anything. You don’t know how they’d react so you resign yourself to simply getting to see them.

2009 - Bad Romance : Lady Gaga - First, it’s gender neutral so any of us can sing without translating pronouns. Second, it’s about loving someone completely, including their “bad” parts. I want your ugly, I want your disease. Third, Lady Gaga showed up to the 2010 MTV Music Awards with four members of the U.S. military who had been discharged or resigned because of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. When she went on stage to receive the Video of the Year award for “Bad Romance,” Gaga wore the now-famous meat dress as a way to show her anger about the military’s anti-LGBTQ policy. “If we don’t stand up for what we believe in and if we don’t fight for our rights, pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones.”

2009 - For Your Entertainment : Adam Lambert - After a successful run on Season 8 of American Idol, Adam debuted his first single at the 2009 American Music Awards. The performance featured various dancers in bondage gear, included 2 guys Lambert led around by a leather rope, and Adam kissed the man playing keyboards. It was a bit much for many watching.

2009 - Whataya Want From Me : Adam Lambert - I wonder if this song is referencing when he was figuring out his sexuality with words like Yeah, it’s plain to see, baby you’re beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s me, I’m a freak.

2009 - Rain : MIKA - Mika wrote a break-up letter to say it didn’t seem like his ex did anything special for him, didn’t do anything to show he loved Mika. He was left feeling ordinary, he wanted more than that. Mika decided turning that letter into a song would feel empowering.

2009 - Someday : Rob Thomas - This song hopes that someday the problems of today will be worked out. At the time, same-sex marriage was still illegal in most of the US and this song was embraced as hope that Someday we will have this fixed.

2010 - Diplomat’s Son : Vampire Weekend - This song is about 2 boys who are best friends. One of them has had a crush on his friend for a long time but never thought there was a chance anything could happen. Then one night he tells his friend that he likes him as more than just a friend, and they wind up sleeping together. In the morning, he wakes up to find his best friend is gone. Maybe this indicates it wasn’t love, just his friend experimenting, so the young man decides to end his life by jumping into a river by his home in the middle of the winter.

2010 - Telephone : Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce - A song with both Gaga and Bey is just as fabulous as it gets. Original Queer Eye culture expert Jai Rodriguez has a cameo appearance as a reporter, sealing the deal: a new queer classic song is born.

2010 - Fearless Love : Melissa Etheridge - The song’s first line is I was 17, you kissed my lips. Etheridge explained “It was the first time I kissed a girl…It was intense going through that experience and having the fireworks go off: ‘Oh my God, this is greatest thing ever! This is what all my girlfriends have been talking about when they kiss boys’ and stuff." Regarding the lyric, You are what you are afraid of, Melissa said "If you say, 'Oh I’m afraid of this’ and it stops you from doing, then you become what you are afraid of.”

2010 - Cold War : Janelle Monáe - The song starts off saying being alone’s the only way to be. When you step outside, you spend life fighting for your sanity. The song says this is a cold war but if the weak unite and have faith in love, the mighty will crumble. So powerful. Alone we feel weak and need to hide, but united we are strong. This is followed by I was made to believe there was something wrong with me. Janelle has said this and additional songs about being “other” are related to her being a queer Black woman and people in all those identities can identify with the message.

2010 - Blame it on the Girls : MIKA - This song is about how people don’t appreciate what they have and try to find others to blame for their problems. In the song, a handsome, rich man seems to have it all, yet is still unhappy. Instead of taking responsibility for his choices of how he spends his time and money, he blames others. The chorus has very bi vibes. Blame it on the girls who know what to do. Blame it on the boys who keep hitting on you...Blame it on the girls. Blame it on the boys. Blame it on the girls. Blame it on the boys.

2010 - Not Myself Tonight : Christina Aguilera - Donned in leather, ball gags, whips, the lyrics say ‘I’m kissing all the boys and the girls’

2010 - Dancing on my Own : Robyn - It’s a post-break up song. Somebody said you got a new friend. Does she love you better than I can? But with a great dance beat like this, it’s a sure bet Robyn won’t be dancing on her own for long.

2010 - Alejandro : Lady Gaga - In the video, Gaga dresses in a red latex nun outfit, eats a rosary, and intermingled with the Catholic imagery are clear references to gay love.

2010 - Ain’t No Son : Court Yard Hounds - Court Yard Hounds is a side project of the two sisters from Dixie Chicks. The song was written after watching a documentary of families who throw their young sons out of the house when they find out their child is gay.

2010 - If I Had You : Adam Lambert - I love how the beginning sounds like Adam is going out to a gay club. So I got my boots on, got the right amount of leather, and I’m doing me up with a black color liner, and I’m working my strut. Not the way we usually hear about a guy getting ready for a night out.

2010 - Feel It in My Bones : Tiësto feat. Tegan and Sara - Tiësto teamed up with our favorite lesbian twin sisters Tegan and Sara for this song where one person in a relationship has been betrayed or hurt. They feel the hurt in their bones. They were knocked down and manage to pick themselves back up and let go of the person who caused the hurt and reclaim their strength. But love, even when it’s lost, continues to have a hold on us and it’s difficult to move on.

2010 - Football Song : Matt Fishel - The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a young gay schoolboy with a crush on the straight captain of the school’s football (soccer) team. It is ambiguous whether or not the relationship between the two is real or in the narrator’s mind.

2010 - Te Amo : Rihanna - A woman says to Rihanna te amo, which means “I love you.” Rihanna’s response is I feel the love, but I don’t feel that way. The lyrics may find Rihanna hesitant to love this other woman, but the video tells another story as Rihanna initially resists the seduction, but eventually gives in to the woman’s charm.

2010 - All the Lovers : Kylie Minogue - A feel-good track about love and dancing your fears away. The video has people strip down to their underwear, form a pyramid, and begin kissing. Definite pansexual vibes.

2010 - Mine : Taylor Swift - This is a song about a careless man’s careful daughter going off to college and falling in love with a small-town waitress. That’s it, that’s the song.

2010 - Ice Cream Truck : Cazwell - It’s a cute, simple and upbeat 1980’s-style summer anthem that conveys happiness about being gay. The video is delightfully raunchy, a bunch of shirtless male dancers licking popsicles.

2010 - Whip My Hair : Willow Smith - The song is a message of self-love, to be yourself and don’t let anyone tell you that's wrong. To whip your hair with such abandon takes a certain self-confidence and willingness to have fun no matter what others think. Willow would later come out as bisexual, stating "I love men and women equally". She also supports polyamorous relationships.

2010 - Best Thing About Me is You : Ricky Martin - Earlier in the year, Ricky Martin officially came out as gay. The video features couples, mostly interracial queer couples. Life is short so make it what you wanna. Make it good, don’t wait until mañana

2010 - Raise Your Glass : P!nk - Lyrics like these are relatable: So raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways, all my underdogs. Ignore convention and just let loose. Plus, the video has her singing at a gay wedding.

2010 - Far Away : Marsha Ambrosius - Marsha wrote this song after a gay friend attempted suicide because of the abuse he experienced. The video has scenes of gay bashing and homophobia. She sings of her sadness at missing her friend.

2010 - Pretty Girl Rock : Keri Hilson - Keri is an LGBTQ ally. When asked about this song, she answered, "there’s so many 'rules’ to society’s view of beauty. I wanted to dispel that and get rid of that. We’re all beautiful in our own unique ways, you just have to find that happy place within yourself.” The video has Keri dressed as a star from 9 different decades, from the 1920’s all the way to herself in 2010 and is her “way of paying homage to groundbreaking women, strong women who were fearless and so bold and so confident that they made women feel that way. And I hope to do the same.”

2010 - We R Who We R : Ke$ha - After a news story that bullying leads to suicides of gay youth, she was upset people have to hide themselves and pretend to be someone other than who they are in order to be safe. Ke$ha wrote this song in hopes it would become a Pride anthem and it is intended to inspire people to be themselves, celebrate who you are, and to celebrate anyone deemed quirky or eccentric.

2010 - Firework : Katy Perry - Everyone is a firework, they have an ordinary or insignificant wrapping, but in the right situation they ignite and show how amazing, extraordinary, and beautiful each of us is. The video features a scene in which two boys passionately kiss. Katy Perry dedicated this song to the It Gets Better video campaign aimed at queer youth who may feel alone or suicidal.

2010 - Teenage Dream : Glee Cast - Having this song being sung by one boy for another was a big moment on a popular TV show.

2010 - Back to December : Taylor Swift - She spends all summer with someone and then autumn rolls around and she realizes she love them. The bonus is already knowing their family from when you were best friends before the relationship changed. Then ending everything with them because you’re scared. Could this get any gayer? Plus there’s no gendered pronouns in this song, a common way to slip a gay love song past the straights.

2010 - F**kin’ Perfect : P!nk - With all the negative messages we grow up hearing and believing about our gender identity or sexual orientation, these lyrics are so powerful: You’re so mean when you talk about yourself. You were wrong. Change the voices in your head, make them like you instead.

2011 - Born This Way : Lady Gaga - Many songs hint at queer identities and acceptance by using metaphors, but not this one, it is direct. No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life, I’m on the right track, baby, I was born to survive. The hype song is a battle cry for equality.

2011 - We All Try : Frank Ocean - Frank Ocean sings of losing faith in mankind as the LGBTQIA+ community struggles to find acceptance. I believe that marriage isn’t between a man and woman, but between love and love, and I believe you when you say you’ve lost all faith, but you must believe in something. He reassures the queer community that I just don’t believe we’re wicked, I know that we sin but I do believe we try.

2011 - Call Your Girlfriend : Robyn - Robyn is telling her two-timing partner (is it a man or a woman, who knows?) to end things with their girlfriend, and advises them on how to do it gently. Call your girlfriend. It’s time you had the talk. Give your reasons. Say it’s not her fault but you just met somebody new.

2011 - Run the World (Girls) : Beyoncé - If girls did run the world maybe we’d be better off!

2011 - Glamazon : RuPaul - A glamazon is a beautiful, thick, tall, voluptuous woman. In this video, drag queens are glamazons, wreaking havoc on the world until an even bigger glamazon (RuPaul) shows up

2011 - Turn it Off : Cast of The Book of Mormon musical - A funny song that talks about turning off sad or uncomfortable feelings, this includes a gay Mormon missionary turning off his gay feelings.

2011 - Americano : Lady Gaga - The scenario is she has fallen in love with a girl from East L.A. (which has a mostly Hispanic population) but they can’t marry due to the laws prohibiting gay marriage. As to the I don’t speak your Americano, I don’t speak your language oh no, I don’t speak your Jesus Cristo, I think it’s rejecting the religious rhetoric used to justify the laws.

2011 - Make it Stop (September’s Children) : Rise Against - The song & video are about the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ youth, driving them to the point of suicide. The lead singer says the song’s message is “it can get better, it does get better, give it a chance to get better, don’t end your life prematurely.” The video was a collaboration with the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to prevent suicide within the LGBTQ community

2011 - I Wanna Go : Britney Spears - Britney sings a song poking fun at her past. Lately people got me all tied up. There’s a countdown waiting for me to erupt. Time to blow out.

2011 Love On Top : Beyonce - This is a jam by Queen B and she sings of her partner treating her like a Queen, putting her above everything. That’s the kind of love we all want.

2011 – Call Me Maybe : Carly Rae Jepsen - The video begins with Carly Rae spying on her attractive neighbor as he is working on his lawn. She tries to get his attention with various provocative poses only for her neighbor to give his phone number to Carly Rae’s male band mate

2011 - We Found Love : Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris - Finding love in a hopeless place, for many queer people this can be what it’s like in a heteronormative society, especially for someone in the closet…which can feel hopeless, and then love is found

2011 - The First Time : Matt Fishel - Fishel said of the song: “The first time I kissed another boy was an amazing, life-changing moment for me. I can remember the day it happened really vividly and I [wanted] to write a song about all those feelings of warmth and nostalgia that come from that first special moment.”

2011 - Who You Are : Jessie J - The song acknowledges it’s okay to be sad sometimes as you figure out who you are, but be true to who you are and don’t become somebody else.

2011 - Everybody Talks : Neon Trees - TikTok has made this the pansexual anthem and it has joined a list of music that is code for sexual orientation & gender identity. “Do you listen to Girl in Red?” “No, I listen to Everybody Talks.” In other words, “Are you a lesbian?” “No, I’m pansexual.” The song itself is about gossip. Tyler Glenn, the lead singer, says this is about a girl who spread rumors that he was gay, so yeah, It started with a whisper, and that was when I kissed her, and then she made my lips hurt.

2011 - Take a Bow : Matt Alber - A beautiful, heartfelt cover of the 1994 Madonna song with just a guitar for accompaniment. An openly gay man singing the words to his male lover.

2011 – Titanium : David Guetta feat. Sia – The openly queer singer Sia wrote this song about enduring everything the world throws at you and coming out stronger.

Link to My Queer Playlist - Part 1 songs from 1939 to 1993

Link to My Queer Playlist - Part 3 songs from 2012 to 2017

Link to My Queer Playlist - Part 4 songs from 2018 to present

Link to my Queer Disney Songs Playlist

Link to my K-Pop Queer Playlist

#queer playlist #long post

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