send in the clowns
woman in love

over the rainbow...

I've Never Been to Me
Papa Can You Hear Me

Many others I'm sure, but these came to mind.

that dreamgirls song...

sosgemini said:

lol And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going

I Will Sur5 - Gloria Gaynor
I'm Comin'Out - Diana Ross
It's Rainin' Men - The Weather Girls
& tons Of Donna Summer songs.

RipHer2Shreds said:

yeah, i hope my "gay card" hasnt been taking away after that gay pride thread fiasco.....







to think, two people might have different views on something....whats this world coming too?

livin la vida loca
macarena
[Edited 6/18/05 10:14am]

live to tell
the trolley song

lilgish said:

to be gay is to loath ricky martin...

I Wanna F*CK You In The *SS -Outthere Brothers..

sosgemini said:

Sing it, then!
Type from memory!

HamsterHuey said:

i wanna fuck you in the ass...(da dar dar dar da dar dar dar) add infinitum....

Not being gay I would only be guessing.
So rather than make an assumptive list, I decided to search around and found this.

Top 100 Gay Songs - http://www.gaypridecanada...music.html

Tell me how accurate they are before I add this to my Archive of Lists.

100. "Everybody's Free," Rozalla

In the early '90's, the club scene was in the midst of change. Gays were responsible for breaking more dance songs and artists than ever before. Song 100 could be "Rhythm is a Dancer" or any number of other dance hits of the era, but Rozalla's searing vocals of yearning, celebration and independence resonated with its gay audience and played a prominent role at the 1993 March on Washington.

99. "As I Lay Me Down," Sophie B. Hawkins

This simple but beautiful ballad helped establish Sophie as a voice to be reckoned with. The film documentary of her complicated life and artistic and personal struggles made her sexuality something of an enigma — she told the Blade she was "omnisexual" — but she maintains a faithful gay following.

98. "Relax," Frankie Goes To Hollywood

FGTH ushered in the gay '80s video age. With songs like "Krisco Kisses," they held nothing back. But it was this ode against premature ejaculation and, er, anal sex where they really made their mark. One FGTH member later succumbed to AIDS.

97. "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)," Paul Lekakis

With so much sex on TV and the movies, it was certainly time for some blatant sex on the radio. This naughty boy toy did just that with a tongue-in-cheek dance ditty. Still entertaining, this out Canadian probably fends off responses to his proposal to this day.

96. "Goldfinger," Shirley Bassey

Give props to Shirley Bassey, the misfit from Wales. She's a pioneer amongst the torch balladeers and cabaret singers who sing music from the stage and film. In this "Bond" theme song, she shows off all her melodic and dramatic chops so you understand why she's such a legend with older gay audiences.

95. "I Love to Hate You," Erasure

Out singer Andy Bell tells a tale about a dysfunctional relationship with a dance beat. Nothing for gays to relate to here now, is there?


94. "I Need a Man," Eurythmics

Annie Lennox screams that what she needs "don't wear a dress!" This beautiful voice whose gender bending images launched a thousand videos was never more twisted.


93. "Holiday," Madonna

She burst onto the scene and gay boys everywhere claimed her as their own. No one can own Madonna, of course, but even she will acknowledge a mutual admiration with her gay audience and the artistic community that inspires her. Celebrate indeed.

92. "Lady Marmalade," Labelle

Before the "four bad ass chicks from the Moulin Rouge," there was Labelle in their outrageous and glamorous space outfits asking the most famous of French questions. Nona Hendrix and Sarah Dash held their own against Patti Labelle's skyscraping hair, while they all pushed the women's sexual revolution forward via this funky pop gem.

91. "Losing My Religion," REM

Michael Stipe's recent public coming out didn't cause much controversy. Neither, surprisingly, did this song, even though religion and sexuality can be interesting and prickly bedfellows. Stipe said at the time he was inspired by a waitress who said she worked so hard that day, she was "losing her religion."

90. "Where is my Man?" Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt is many things to many people. Catwoman. Cabaret singer. Dance diva. Legend. Her delivery on this song is both commanding and endearing. Ms. Kitt, drag queens and their fans around the world salute you! Rrrrrrhhhrhrhrhr!

89. "What's Up?" 4 Non Blondes

This huge hit in the early '90s from 4 Non Blondes made people stand up & notice. The song had a different sound & intensity than what was being played at the time. With out lead singer Linda Perry's wailing vocals, the question of 'what's going on' became as poignant as when Marvin Gaye first asked us.

88. "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions," Queen

Forget the sports arena associations. This was revolutionary songwriting. Queen, led by gay frontman Freddie Mercury, showed the group's innovation with this two-sided single from the late '70s. The lyrics, loosely analogous to the gay pride movement, are both moving and inspirational.

87. "Tutti Frutti," Little Richard

Little Richard, a pioneer of rock 'n' roll and R&B and camp? With titles like "Tutti Frutti," and his truly outrageous behavior, he gave gay audiences in the '50s an alternative in every sense of the word.



86. "Steam," Ty Herndon

Fueled by rumors of a gay public indecency arrest, Ty Herndon brought country music one of its first gay scandals. Ty's gay following took notice as this song of sex and steam had many fans hot and bothered.

85. "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves," Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin

A little helping of "Independent Women" before the cloying message clogged the airwaves in the late '90s. Pairing two strong pioneering women like Annie and Aretha is powerful stuff.


84. "Love Will Lead You Back," Taylor Dayne

Taylor Dayne shot to stardom with this Diane Warren penned ballad. She wasn't able to sustain that kind of commercial success, but like many artists found a niche with a mostly gay audience releasing dance remixes and playing many a gay nightclub.

83. "Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinead O'Connor

A lesbian only temporarily, this no-nonsense, outspoken woman could sing. Not content with confines of the pop world, she threw out conventions of female beauty including shaving her head bald. Yet she still found a way into mainstream psyche with this Prince-penned song.

82. "Kiss Him Goodbye," The Nylons

This a cappella group from Canada brought its unique vocal style in a remake of the '60s hit. Several gay members brought an amusing risqué to the lyrics of "kissing him goodbye."

81. "Absolutely Fabulous," Pet Shop Boys

The PSB making music for the vampy titular TV hit on both sides of the Atlantic. The title alone says it all, sweetie darling!


80. "Candle in the Wind," Elton John

The most famous gay musician of our time rewrote his already popular song to help the world mourn its most famous princess. The theme of isolation combined with images of Elton, Diana and Marilyn struck a somber chord with everyone. For original version(midi) click on U.S. flag. Tribute to Diana click on U.K. flag

79. "Good Times," Chic

Not just any disco hit, but one of celebrating the here and now. Happy and gay.


78. "Heart of Glass," Blondie

Deborah Harry and Blondie introduced us to a different kind of disco hit in the late '70s. One with street credibility and "new wave" origins. The adoration of this strong, creative and beautiful woman foreshadowed the crowning of other gay icons like Madonna.

77. "I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton

Take two divas. (Dolly Parton's original and Whitney Houston's remake) Add one tearjerker movie with a handsome Hollywood leading man (Kevin Costner). Stir. One of the biggest hits in music history.

76. "Imagine," John Lennon

This song about peace, love and understanding never mentions sexual orientation. Just us all living as one. Imagine that.


75. "Love Shack," The B-52's

Pure fun and camp. This original and gay-inclusive band has been putting a smile on our face and a beat in our step for years. Love the hair, hope you win.


74. "Mamma Mia," ABBA

ABBA. "Priscilla." "Muriel's Wedding." Broadway musical. This song and the band's longevity rival Cher. Can't say why their songs strike such a chord with gays, but does it really matter? ABBA makes us happy.


73. "Missing," Everything but the Girl
Everything but the Girl served up this instant classic, available in a few hundred remixes, which became a dance staple in clubs and radio for an entire year. This androgynous, sexually ambiguous duo (actually a couple, but don't tell anyone) rose from folksy roots to create a perfect song that we (rightly or wrongly) claimed as ours.

72. "My Love is Your Love," Whitney Houston

This has nothing to do with the lesbian rumors. Whitney started to reclaim her gay audience with a series of great dance remixes including this one that helped us usher in Y2K. When she reigned on the dance floor we stopped gossiping about her weight loss and missed performances. (Well, for a little while at least.)

71. "Wig in a Box," Hedwig and the Angry Inch

The most recent entry on the list, this song taken from "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is fun, camp and singable. It's been a long time since we've seen this kind of frivolity in the theater, so kudos go to star John Cameron Mitchell and songwriter Steven Trask.


70. "Wind Beneath My Wings," Bette Midler

Do you really need any explanation for this one?


69. "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," Cher

Yes, before "Believe," before she turned back time, Cher was a diva from the start. Her ode to misfits and the fringe of society helped gained her still loyal following.


68. "True Colors," Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi burst onto the scene in the '80s with her "anything goes" style. Her image often overshadowed her voice, which has long been friendly to gay ears. If you haven't already discovered the "gay" message in this heartfelt song, it's time for another listen.

67. "Son of A Preacher Man," Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield, long considered a singer's singer, had a turbulent life and career. A few recent biographies refer to her bisexual relationships. But like with Janis, it's Dusty's illustrious voice that matters most. The religious imagery in this particular song has even greater irony now for gay listeners than when she recorded it.


66. "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien," Edith Piaf

Edith Piaf helped pave the way for many women and men to sing, without apology. She trail blazed in her native France, and her influence was felt around the world.


65. "My Heart Will Go On," Celine Dion

Celine is the greatest singer in the world! And this was the most played song in the history of U.S. radio at the time. From the biggest movie ever. Celine (with Leonardo in tow) had arrived.


64. "Make Your Own Kind of Music," Mama Cass

Like Karen Carpenter, Mama Cass has been personified as a lonely outsider who persevered and achieved enormous success. With one of her first solo singles, an ode to forging one's own path, Ms. Cass inspired a generation of gays. The song was later immortalized in the play and film "Beautiful Thing."

63. "Proud Mary," Ike and Tina Turner

Unlikely she was singing about gay pride. And she couldn't have known how popular calling each other "Mary" would become. But what Tina Turner did know was how to turn this classic CCR hit into her own signature song (with then husband Ike), both on record and live.


62. "1812 Overture," Tchaikovsky

Since the beginning of music, gays have contributed. It's not all disco and Broadway tunes. Tchaikovsky introduced his artistry before anyone had a notion of the concept of gay culture.


61. "At Seventeen," Janis Ian

Acclaimed poet/folksinger songwriter, Janis Ian, an out bisexual, hit her stride with this painful ode to adolescent loneliness. Everyone could relate, but sadly gays even more so.


60. "Could it be Magic?" Barry Manilow, Donna Summer & Take That (separately)

Barry Manilow used to play piano for Bette Midler in gay bathhouses. Donna Summer covered it as a dance tune, as did Britain's Take That, one of the first big boy bands. Three strikes and we're out!

59. "Go West," Pet Shop Boys and Village People (separately)

Both the Village People and PSBs flirted with this tune of escaping to an idyllic faraway place. Like a modern day "Over the Rainbow," the song is a dream and desire to make the changes necessary to move to that elusive place just beyond.

58. "That's What Friends Are For," Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder & Gladys Knight

Tributes, benefits and charity have been staples of the music business ever since George Harrison's famous Concert for Bangladesh. However this early effort was groundbreaking in its efforts to raise money for the battle against AIDS.

57. "I Love the Nightlife," Alicia Bridges

Gays and nightlife. In so many ways intertwined. While many gays work in straight environments, the night gives us the opportunity to seek out our own kind and let it all go. And who knew that Alicia was actually a lesbian, and now often DJs and gay clubs? Ac-tion!

56. "On Broadway," The Drifters

With no disrespect to the London stage, this song of the theater lights was an early sign of hope for gays not knowing where to turn. Like its counterpart "Downtown," it gave us a place to dream about.


55. "Let the Sunshine In/Aquarius," "Hair"/Fifth Dimension

The musical "Hair" pushed many boundaries, tackling topics like drugs, participation in war, nudity, sex, generation gaps and importantly, personal freedom. This song represents the whole '60s revolution that helped pave the way for new ways of thinking.

54. "I'm Too Sexy," Right Said Fred

RSF's over-the-top ditty hit a new level for camp, especially male camp. These were not drag queens, but full-on muscle men, talking about runways and sex appeal. Gay after all means fun, and these out guys showed us how in all their gym-boy glory.

53. "Anything Goes," "Anything Goes" Original Cast Recording

Cole Porter, the contemplative writer and composer, was a pioneer of the Broadway musical. This gay but closeted original helped usher in not only music for the theater but true musical standards. The title alone was a sign that our time was about to begin.

52. "Finally," Ce Ce Peniston

Another dance song that has to represent the whole genre. But this one had such joy and passion that it was included in a little film called "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," where it gained a whole new audience.

51. "Last Dance," Donna Summer

Donna Summer. Gays have had a love/hate relationship with this diva, but she was the undisputed queen of disco, and disco loves its queens.


50. "Music of the Night," The Phantom of the Opera

This song, from the still-running musical about hidden and forbidden love, obsession and physical beauty and opera, hit all the right notes for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.


49. "Downtown," Petula Clark

Petula Clark sang about a place you could go before the Village People touted the merits of the Y. Urbanization of gays has a long history, and in the '60s downtown was a beacon of hope for rural and suburban misfits.

48. "Philadelphia Freedom," Elton John

An Elton John song about lesbian legend Billie Jean King and her tennis team. Neither Elton nor Billie Jean was exactly out in the '70s, but they weren’t entirely "in" either. The title says it all.


47. "Seasons of Love," "Rent" original cast recording
Broadway has offered many beloved musicals, but a new voice came through in the '90s through Jonathon Larsen’s "Rent." This simple song, which starts the second act of his play and deals with homophobia, AIDS, drugs and the bohemian urban youth, was and still is fresh, contemporary and moving.

46. "A Little Respect," Erasure

Erasure’s infectious beats and melodies resonate with the club set as well as they do on pop radio. Front man Andy Bell has long been belting out the tunes and raising the profile and acceptance for openly gay artists in the music business. And just try not to dance or move when this one comes on.

45. "We Shall Be Free," Garth Brooks

Every movement talks about support both from within and "outside." For gays, this means "straights." The struggle for equality can’t work without them. That’s why Garth Brooks' song about personal rights and freedoms is so important. He’s straight, hugely famous, and asks his hordes of country fans to love one another, and let everyone else love who they choose.

44. "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" Pet Shop Boys featuring Dusty Springfield

The Pet Shop Boys got Dusty Springfield to sing again in this lovely duet, which is both ballad and dance song. Here the combination of talents works. Not just a gimmick, this song helped younger generations appreciate the late Springfield's incredible talent.

43. "There’s No Business Like Show Business," Ethel Merman from "Annie Get Your Gun"

This staple show tune written by Irving Berlin touches on the allure of show business. Sure it's cliché that gays are closely tied to the entertainment business, but are you really going to argue that it’s not true?


42. "Under Pressure," Queen & David Bowie

David Bowie had already declared himself bisexual when this unique duet appeared on the scene, though Queen front man Freddie Mercury only came out soon before his tragic, AIDS-related death. It's not surprising that so many listeners felt certain that the boys were singing about the pressures of being young and gay.

41. "Supermodel (You Better Work)," RuPaul

RuPaul took the world by storm with his over-the-top ode to the newest celebrity -- the supermodel and sang it from the stage at the 1993 March on Washington for gay civil rights. Who better than an unassuming black man to introduce us to the glitz and glamour of the model world and drag queens?

40. "We Are Family," Sister Sledge

Yet another word stolen by gays, "family" was an important concept as biological families often dismissed and chastised its gay members. Sister Sledge’s ode to unity resonated as gays looked inward to find strength in community.

39. "Rainy Days and Mondays," The Carpenters

No voice can convey better than Karen Carpenter’s so beautifully the pain and sorrow of isolation? Recent singers may have greater vocal range and gymnastic ability, but none comes close to her expressiveness. Many a gay man and woman have taken comfort in her touching artistry.


38. "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)," Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand

Barbra and Donna. Together. An early dance remix. You do the math.


37. "I’m Coming Out," Diana Ross

Former lead singer of the Supremes, Academy Award-nominated actress and successful solo artist, Diana Ross hit the charts with this song in the '80s. Whatever the song lyrics’ original intent, the gay community took it, ran with it, and the closet door is all the more open ever since.


36. "The Last Song," Elton John

So many love songs have been written, but few as poignant as this heartbreaking story depicting the relationship between a father and his son dying of AIDS. Truly devastating. Elton and Bernie Taupin at their finest.

35. "Yes I Am," Melissa Etheridge
Ms. Etheridge’s title track from the album closely associated with her public coming out. She will tell you that the song isn’t literally about busting down closet doors. But songs are interpretive, and it wasn’t only gays who heard her unapologetic declaration of her sexual identity. Regardless, Melissa was loud and proud and a force to be reckoned with. Yes you are, indeed.

34. "The Killing of Georgie (I & II)," Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart, infamous in gay circles for the urban legend about having his stomach pumped of ingested fluids, got a bad rap. Yet it was Stewart who in the '70s took a huge risk with his audience to release this tragic tale of a gay man making his new home in New York City. He directly addressed the character's sexuality, and even released this unlikely song as a single for the world to hear. Thanks Rod, and sorry about the rumors.

33. "Shame on You," Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls were banned a few years ago from performing at U.S. high schools, citing objections to a certain four-letter word in this song. It was rumored that perhaps their "alternative" lifestyle and reference to "beautiful ladies" may have been the real reason. The line Amy sings about "never knowing what to say" is indeed ironic. The Girls have known what to say both on and off the records for years. And we’re still listening.

32. "Tainted Love," Soft Cell

Marc Almond and his band Soft Cell were touted to be part of the first ever large-scale gay music festival before it was abruptly canceled last summer. Often cited as one-hit wonders, this bit of pop brilliance (sometimes combined with a "Where Did Our Love Go" fadeout) sounds as good today as ever.

31. "Somebody to Love," Queen
Queen’s stunning operatic vocal arrangements may have dressed up this ambitious song, but its message was straightforward. "Find me somebody to love." The tribute concert to Queen and Freddie Mercury after he died of complications from AIDS was unprecedented. With artists as diverse as Guns & Roses, Liza Minnelli and George Michael all participating (including the latter’s cover of this song), the outpouring of love for Freddie was enormous.

30. "Piece of My Heart," Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin didn’t just sing this song; she lived it with each performance. A perennial misfit, her unwavering artistry has been admired long after her untimely death. Speculation of a lesbian love life has been examined, but more important is her legacy as a major influence for artists everywhere.

29. "Nobody’s Supposed to be Here," Deborah Cox

Now here’s a dance song that gays truly felt they owned. This was a radio hit, but primarily as a ballad on R&B stations. On the gay dance floors, however, this was a huge hit, for well over a year. Not exactly our little secret, but close.

28. "No Matter What," Boyzone
Unlike "Memory" or anything from "Phantom," this lesser-known pop song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Whistle Down the Wind" was brought to huge success by this Irish boy band with a real distinction. One of its members, Stephen Gately, is out and open about his homosexuality, and he even dated a member of another boy band. Boyzone’s popularity, especially in Europe, never seemed to suffer as a result.

27. "Macho Man," Village People
Whether you preferred the construction worker or the Indian, the indelible images of the gay ensemble singing in line made their mark. The ultimate in-joke for gays, many straights had no idea at the time that they are singing and dancing to this tribute to the exaggerated masculinity of the gay male icon of the '70s.

26. "I Am Woman," Helen Reddy

Women’s rights have come a long way, baby. In the early ’70s, Helen Reddy’s simple "hear me roar" song was not only empowering for women generally, but for recognition and equality for all. It may be a little cheesy in retrospect, but this was an important message, then and now.

25. "I Want Your Sex," George Michael

George, still a few years shy of coming out publicly, at least had the guts to talk about what so many other people did not. Sex. Like it or not, sex is a big part of the gay identity, and open and public discussion of issues like monogamy inspired by a pop song deserves credit for putting it out on the table.

24. "And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going," Jennifer Holliday

After the Supremes but before Divas Live, there was Jennifer Holliday. In the early ’80s in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," she practically reached out into the audience each night to make you feel her broken heart. Inimitable, she is our very own Dreamgirl.

23. "Justify My Love," Madonna
Madonna, through both the song and accompanying video, asked Middle America and the rest of the world to open their minds. MTV banned the video, partially for its same-sex imagery, and the ensuing controversy made the song huge. Pushing sexual boundaries and shattering taboos more effectively than anyone or anything that came before her, she could be on this list 20 times over.

22. "Glad To Be Gay," Tom Robinson

No need for subtlety here. Brit Tom Robinson pulled no punches when he sung out this anthem in the ’70s. Like the catch phrases "I Am Woman" and "Say it Loud I’m Black and Proud," this was about inclusion, representation and expressing what needed to be said.

21. "I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor

True, gays don’t have an exclusive lock to this or any other classic, but doesn’t it just seem written for us? The themes of overcoming adversity, self-respect and independence all gave this disco classic even more resonance with gays. Yes, "anthem" may be an overused label, but this soulful four minutes of self-declaration certainly fits the bill.

20. "Believe," Cher

Not just another dance hit, but a true return and umpteenth comeback for this survivor. The star of TV, film, stage and recording, not to mention mother of lesbian activist Chastity Bono, has been kicking butt longer than almost anyone in the business.

19. "Time Warp," "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

"Rocky Horror" broke a lot of boundaries. While some of us still can’t say for sure the difference between cross-dressers, transvestites and transsexuals, we should all be thankful for the "warped" presentation the characters were given in this musical film and song. Yes, let’s do the "Time Warp" again!

18. "Walk on the Wild Side," Lou Reed
This '70s hit was risqué for its time. The pre-video generation of songs left a lot to the imagination, but the graphic lyrics of "giving head" and cross-dressing misfits in this saga were very vivid and colorful. The song conjured up images of the disenfranchised before we had all the moving pictures to go along with the music.

17. "Staying Alive," The Bee Gees
"Saturday Night Fever." The Bee Gees’ falsetto. Disco smash. Record-breaking film soundtrack and eventual Broadway show. The effect of this song was enormous, and its themes of survival proved ironic. The song itself survived one of the biggest backlashes in music history and still comes up a winner. Turns out that "disco sucks" was the passing fad, not the disco itself.

16. "Living After Midnight," Judas Priest
Forget the clichés. This is not a dance song or a Broadway tune. And it's not sung by a diva. Instead, we have a leather-clad, metal-studded hard rock front man singing about the adventures and dark side of nightlife. Priest lead singer Rob Halford’s coming out was loud and proud and shocking to the metal community and the world at large. We truly are everywhere.

15. "Smalltown Boy," Bronski Beat

The Bronski Beat chronicled so well the journey of a young gay man coming out and leaving home, never heard before in a top 40 hit. Unprecedented, groundbreaking and daring for its time, this haunting tale still resonates today.

14. "Constant Craving," k.d. lang

k.d. leapt to fame with this torch ballad and her incredible voice. Always outspoken and one of the highest-profile singers to be out of the closet, she paved the way for pop artists to be themselves, maintaining artistic and personal integrity without giving up commercial acceptance.

13. "Karma Chameleon," Culture Club
The themes of identity, gender roles and unapologetically being yourself weren’t new when the world met Boy George and Culture Club. But we’d never seen anything quite like him. The smash hit and accompanying video burst into our ears and eyes in living rooms across the globe. One look at the flamboyant and outspoken singer meant trans youth were no longer alone.

12. "Memory," "Cats" original cast recording

Love it or hate it (and you know you do), this is the song. The one that made you cry, the reason you hate Andrew Lloyd Webber, the one you sang at auditions, or the one where you discovered Abby on "Eight is Enough" could sing. However you judge the musical "Cats," the song has earned its historic place in musical theater.

11. "It’s Raining Men," The Weather Girls

If you’ve ever danced without abandon to this fun, frolicking camp classic, you know what we’re talking about. Hallelujah! Is it -- past 10 yet?


10. "Scarecrow," Melissa Etheridge
Songs can chronicle major events in ways that news and films cannot. With "Scarecrow," Melissa Etheridge’s powerful tribute to the life and death of Matthew Shepard, she harkens back to songs like Neil Young’s "Ohio," or Joni Mitchell’s "Woodstock." Melissa respectfully mirrors our community’s fierce rage at what happened, yet still manages to offer us hope. Her performance of this song at the Equality Rocks concert during the Millennium March had many of the 50,000 attendees in tears. Let us not forget.

9. "Somewhere," "West Side Story" and "The Broadway Album" by Barbra Streisand

Originally from the original cast recording of "West Side Story," gay listeners identified with this tale of forbidden love. This song of yearning and hope was an instant classic. But when Ms. Streisand covered it for her "Broadway Album," she took it to a whole new level and made it her own. Streisand and Sondheim. Some things just go together.

8. "YMCA," The Village People

Do you snicker every time you see a stadium or wedding reception full of people dancing to this song? Just the thought of breeders twisting their bodies to this tribute to meeting men at the gym earns its place on the list.

7. "Streets of Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen

Start with a very straight rock 'n’ roll star whose songs are synonymous with cars, girls and the good ol' USA. Add one of the first motion pictures ever to deal with AIDS. The result is one of the most harrowing ballads ever to be included in a movie soundtrack. Conjuring up struggles with illness and personal rights and freedoms, the Boss won a deserved Academy Award for breaking down barriers through song.
6. "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen
One of the best songs of all time, it showcased Freddie Mercury and his band at their finest. Groundbreaking in every way, nothing sounded like it ever before, and nothing has since. The acceptance of this unconventional song by the public was a hint that maybe suburbia and the rural mainstream were ready to embrace just a little bit of diversity.


5. "I Am What I Am," "La Cage aux Folles" original cast recording

After the huge success of the French foreign film "La Cage aux Folles," Broadway decided to make a musical, and the Great White Way was never gayer. To call this a gay anthem is obvious. This drag queen staple will always be a poignant and dramatic reminder of the pride of coming out and being yourself.


4. "Cabaret," Liza Minnelli ("Cabaret" original soundtrack and original cast recordings)

"What good is sitting alone in your room?" This song had so many appealing elements to the gay audience: show tunes, Liza, exotic locale, dark sexuality and an invitation to come hear the music play. All the stereotypes, yes, but so much more.

3. "Dancing Queen," ABBA

ABBA never quite fit into any easy-to-define sound bite. A Swedish married-then-divorced quartet singing English harmony pop and dance songs? Huh? Thankfully the music speaks for itself, and lives on. Maybe the happiest dance song of all time.


2. "Over the Rainbow," Judy Garland ("The Wizard of Oz" original cast recording)

It may be no coincidence that the rainbow is seen as a symbol for gays. Judy Garland sang her heart out looking for the place where love exists for all. She was one of the earliest gay icons, and her death is closely associated with the Stonewall Riots. One of the most frequently covered songs to this day, "Over the Rainbow" has a life well beyond its use in "The Wizard of Oz."

1. "Vogue," Madonna

Inspired by drag balls. Sung by the ultimate gay icon. Shapely male dancers in the video. This is as gay as it gets. If any song could ever be called "ours," "Vogue" is it. It also is a striking achievement for the woman who had already done it all in her young career and had nothing left to prove.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

Damn. Those are some seriously gay songs. I've never heard of Ty Herndon's Steam. I lose my privileges.

There are some severely irritating songs on that list: Where Is My Man by Eartha Kitt (then again, she needn't do much to annoy me), Absolutely Fabulous by the Pet Shop Boys and anything by Abba.

well fuck..

should we just lock the thread up now?

sosgemini said:

Let's just hope nobody hits "Reply w/quote" to tA's post.

theAudience said:

I knew it!

Sorry, i'm just trying to learn something new.
(a foible I can't seem to shake)

Are they even close?


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

GangstaFam said:

no way....

1) who knows all the lyrics to this song?


and

2) its still "somewhere over the rainbow"..

that list was obviously created by a madge-hag...

sosgemini said:

theAudience said:

My ex moved to Provencetown a couple years ago. He now works for Sophie B. Hawkins and her girlfriend/manager Gigi.

Sophie is a pretty granola lesbian. Very down to earth and pleasant to be around.

Gigi thinks my ex and i should go into couples therapy and just get over whatever issue keeps us apart.

Purple Rain.

Cloudbuster said:

you big dyke...

i was just gonna say if " i am what i am" isnt on the list... what flatscan compiled that list

Wow. I cant believe that these songs havent been mentioned:

"I Dont Know Anybody Else" Black Box

"Crazy In Love" Beyonce

"Strike It Up" Black Box

"Please Dont Go" Haddaway

"Together Again" Janet Jackson

That is exactly what I think about any time I hear that song in a stadium. And man does it ever get played a lot of baseball and hockey games. If only they knew...

RipHer2Shreds said:

or Macho Man or In The Navy.


LOL... love straight people singing along to an ode to a bathhouse