Sunday, June 8, 2014

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.

2 comments:

  1. Oh, here's another that was gigantic at the gay clubs: Army of Lovers - Crucified (1991). Also check out Bronski Beat - Why? (a lot of their songs were about being a gay man in a conservative England), Divine - Walk Like A Man, Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin (yes, many of their songs could be on this list, but this one's subject matter deals directly with the "taboo" of being gay), Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, and the 1994 "gem:" Coming Out Crew - Free, Gay and Happy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah, "Why?" I knew later, though not at the time. Most of the rest (except Army of Lovers and Coming Out Crew) were noodling around in the back of my mind. I have three or four "Glad to be Gay" type compilation albums from the mid-90s that have a lot of that stuff, including Eartha Kitt, Communards, Right Said Fred, Boys Town Gang, Soft Cell and this one:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=OeUWYcct-ZQ

    Thanks for your suggestions! --Jamie

    ReplyDelete

Have something to say to us? Post it here!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...