Blast from the Past: Gay Anthems, Part III

This marks the end of Gay Pride Month, so I thought I'd play us out with some more gay anthems!



There are plenty to go, as you shall see. I had to do a superpack this time, 12 tunes in all.

1. I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (1991) - Instantly an embarrassing novelty hit nobody will claim, this one was briefly insanely popular.
2. Macho Man by The Village People (1977) - Single-handedly responsible for injecting the word "macho" into American vernacular, and also for introducing America to The Village People.



3. I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross (1980) - Obviously.
4. Why by Bronski Beat (1984) - Another one that got by me at the time, but certainly no one else did.



5. Let's Have a Kiki by Scissor Sisters (2012) - Much newer than the rest, but essential.
6. Take Your Mama Out by Scissor Sisters (2004) - Because I love them. And this one is actually about a gay guy coming out, so there you go.



7. Dancing Queen by ABBA (1976) - Can you believe I didn't slot in ABBA in Part I or II? I mean really.
8. Last Dance by Donna Summer (1979) - All of Donna Summer's hits qualify, truly.



9. Supermodel by RuPaul Charles (1992) - Another novelty tune, but again, huge briefly. And it launched the Drag Race star into the mainstream.
10. A Little Respect by Erasure (1988) - Again, all of Erasure's catalogue could qualify for this list, but this gets a spot for the lyric, "What religion or reason could drive a man to forsake his lover?"



11. Chains of Love by Erasure (1988) - Okay, one more. This one is clearly about trying to express love for someone when society is against you. Fancy that.
12. Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room) by Paul Lekakis (1987) - Unambiguously about doing it with Paul Lekakis in his room. Okay then!



And now that you're tuckered out from dancing, take your disco shoes off, and shuffle off to bed. It's a new week, and you have to work. Happy Monday!

Blast from the Past: Gay Anthems, Part II

Since we're still early in June, which is Gay Pride month, and it's The Other Half's birthday, I thought I'd continue with the theme of "gay anthems," those you don't have to be gay. . .but it couldn't hurt! -type songs. Of course, there are so many to choose from, I didn't have room for all of them last week anyway. Let's get started.

1. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat (1984) - I'll confess to missing this one, having been firmly stuck on top-40 music at the time, and only 18. Still, my younger (straight) brother insisted that it get a spot this week! Apparently, it was really, really gay.
2. Express Yourself by Madonna (1989) - One of Madge's best, and certainly her most stylish video.



3. You Spin Me 'Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive (1985) - Pete Burns was like the sinister Boy George, and this song was everywhere in 1985.
4. Brand New Lover by Dead or Alive (1986) - Just as fun as the previous tune.



5. No More Tears (Enough is Enough) by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer (1979) - I mean, like you could get these divas together, and it not be a gay anthem? Unfortunately, there is no video. But that note Babs holds? Fabulous.
6. Believe by Cher (1998) - About time Cher made an appearance, right? And at the time, people were marveling at her longevity. . .16 years ago.



7. Lady Marmalade by LaBelle (1974) - Sure, the Christina Aguilera/P!nk/Li'l Kim/Mya cover version might qualify, but this is the classic original, and even burst on the scene before disco really went mainstream.
8. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper (1985) - When I think of a gay anthem, I think "upbeat," but there can be no denying this one has it's place in our big gay hearts.



9. Beautiful by Christina Aguilera (2002) - Much like the previous entry, this ballad is on the list, even if it's a bit sad. It's the defiance that sells it.
10. We are Family by Sister Sledge (1979) - But we've got to get it back to a dance party, right? And why this one didn't occur to me last time, I have no idea. So, let's dance this weekend out!


And I still left out any Donna Summer solo songs, and countless others. Maybe we'll revisit this party to close out the month. Happy Monday, everybody.

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!