Blast from the Past: Gay Anthems, Part I

It's June everybody, and though many Pride celebrations have scattered across the calendar, June is still Gay Pride Month. And so, I thought I'd do a bit of a combo here, of my different regular features. For the first time ever, this is Blast From the Past/The Gay Thing! And I present to you gay anthems, from the far and the not so distant past. Enjoy, and join the parade, won't you?

1. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor (1978) - I can't say why this was a gay anthem. The lyrics could fit anyone in a bad relationship. But boy howdy, was it.
2. I Am What I Am by Gloria Gaynor (1983) - Gay is right in her name, so she gets two in a row (despite a bit of an anti-gay kerfuffle in recent years). And this one is super gay.



3. Y.M.C.A. by The Village People (1978) - I could go nuts with Village People songs in this category, but we'll leave it at this one. So popular, straight people dance to it at sporting events.
4. Go West by Pet Shop Boys (1992) - Actually a Village People song, remade. Really, really gay.


5. Outside by George Michael (1998) - Made as a snarky retort to his arrest for public lewdness, this song (and video) scream "gay," where Michael had previously been coy.
6. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester (1978) - You'd think it would be impossible to get any gayer than this one.


7. Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984) - You'd be wrong, because this is the gayest song ever!
8. It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls (1982) - Wait. Hold on. This is gayer, even though it's ostensibly about straight women fantasizing about men. And written by Paul Shaffer?


9. Vogue by Madonna (1990) - With a dance taken straight from gay subculture, Madonna made an indelible mark, in fact, it's probably her most famous song.
10. Born This Way by Lady Gaga (2011) - From the much more recent past, we have the ultimate gay anthem, even if it was (sorta kinda) borrowed from Madonna's Express Yourself (itself worthy of a place in a sequel to this column). The song starts at about 2:30 after a long, weird preamble.

And now that you're all danced out, it's time for a brand new week. Happy Monday!