Love is a universal language. No matter your gender, everyone deserves love.
These words from Lady Gaga, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, encapsulate the essence of the LGBTQ+ Pride movement, where love, in all its forms, is celebrated and championed.
Artists like Lady Gaga have been an inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community, because they not only lend their voices to the cause but also infuse their music with messages of acceptance and self-love.
So let's dig into music to highlight the best LGBTQ+ Pride songs of all time, showcasing tracks that have become anthems for the community. These songs not only provide a soundtrack to Pride events but also carry powerful messages of love, resilience, and acceptance.
What are the queer song anthems?
Music has always been a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ movement.
In the early days of the movement, songs like Judy Garland’s "Over the Rainbow" and Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive" became symbolic anthems. Garland’s ballad offered hope and a vision of a better world, while Gaynor’s disco hit provided an empowering message of resilience and triumph.
So wether you're preparing the perfect Pride Month song list to hit the gym or to throw your Pride party, this roundup of songs has all it takes for a perfect heart-thumping session.
Songs are also an excellent way to learn languages. So why not practice your Spanish or French vocabulary while you tap your toes to a playlist of Pride-themed hits? If you want to make the most out of it, sign up for Lingopie! Learning languages through music has never been easier!
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1. "Don't Stop Me Now" (Queen)
Let's start with a classic. "Don't Stop Me Now" has transcended its status as a mere song; it's an anthem of resilience and defiance. With unapologetic joy and liberation, Queen's song is perfect for any soirée.
2. "A Quién Le Importa" (Alaska y Dinarama)
If you're learning Spanish you must sing out loud at least once "A quién le importa lo que yo haga, a quién le importa lo que yo diga, yo soy así y así seguiré, ¡nunca cambiaré!" ("Who cares what I do, who cares what I say, that's who I am and that's how I will remain, I will never change!").
Alaskas anthem has become a cherished symbol of empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community, resonating with those who have faced discrimination and prejudice.
3. "Born this Way" (Lady Gaga)
This catchy melody will get you on your feet. Lady Gaga's iconic track has become a rallying cry for individuals around the world to embrace their authentic selves with pride and defiance. As she reminds us, "Don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself and you're set, I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way."
4. "Amour Censure" (Hoshi)
Mathilde Gerner, also known as Hoshi, is a French queer icon. Whether you're wanting to master your French pronunciation, or want to explore LGTBQ+ themes in French music, you must listen to Hoshi's "Amour censure". The song's poignant refrain, "Mon amour est censure, comment on vit si on n'existe pas?" will make you hit those high tones in the shower.
5. "Grace Kelly" (Mika)
That iconic "I'd like to be like Grace Kelly, uh uuuuh!" will light up any get-together. Emerging as a whimsical and exuberant anthem of self-expression and liberation, Mika is nowadays in iconic figure in the LGBTQ+ community.
So as you sing along, remember that the most beautiful thing you can be is yourself.
6. "Todos Me Miran" (Gloria Trevi)
As Trevi boldly declares in the anthemic chorus, "Todos me miran, me critican, me señalan, se mueren por dentro," ("Everyone looks at me, criticizes me, points at me, they die inside"), listeners can't help busting a move to the catchy tune. Celebrate your individuality while mastering those Spanish lyrics.
7. "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" (Wham!)
ancing is the theme of this song, which tells the story of a guy who is head over heels for his girl, and bummed when he finds out she went dancing while he slept.
After several years of public speculation about his sexuality, the former Wham! singer George Michael openly admitted being gay. His example made life easier for many other people.
8. "Santa Rosalia" (Levante)
"Santa Rosalia" has become a cherished anthem within the Italian LGBTQ+ community, offering solace and inspiration to individuals who have felt marginalized or misunderstood. As you belt out "Sei come sei. Chissà chi sei se non lo sai" (You are as you are. Who knows who you are if you don't know) you can practice your Italian pronunciation.
9. "Let's Have a Kiki" (Scissor Sisters)
If the term "kiki" leaves you confused, let me tell you it's a term from ballroom culture; it refers to a social gathering for gossiping and chit-chat.
Many of Scissor Sisters' songs deal with themes in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In any case, if anyone can make you stand up and start grooving, it's the Scissor Sisters.
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10. "Rise Like a Phoenix" (Conchita Wurst)
Yes, the same Conchita Wurst, the Austrian singer and drag queen who came to international attention after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. The song encapsulates the meaning of the means rising phoenix from the ashes: to achieve success again after seeming to have failed completely.
As Wurst stated: "I felt like tonight Europe showed that we are a community of respect and tolerance."
11. "Arcoiris" (J. Balvin)
Roll your Spanish Rs with J Balvin's "Vamos a vivir la vida con amor y sin prejuicio, porque somos arcoiris, todos con un mismo brillo." (Let's live life with love and without prejudice, because we are rainbow, all with the same shine). J Balvin has stated in interviews that his song "Arcoiris" represents “union, inclusion, love, happiness, good vibes, tolerance and life.”
12. "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" (C+C Music Factory)
The song is featured and played in “Homer's Phobia”, a hillarious episode of The Simpson's in which Homer makes friends with John, a kitschy antiques store dealer. However, when he finds out that John is a homosexual, Homer freaks out and fears that his son Bart will become gay too.
Homer takes Bart to a steel mill to revel in a manly environment; however, the entire workforce is gay, which Homer learns when the steel mill turns into a gay disco during breaks, hence the song "Gonna Make You Sweat".
13. "Gay Bar" (Electric Six)
With the opening ‘You! I want to take you to a gay bar,‘ ‘Gay Bar’ is a catchy melody of nonsense. It's worth mentioning that since the song made its air debut at the start of the Iraq War, some words like "nuclear" and "war" were censored due its open criticism.
14. "Y.M.C.A." (Village People)
No Pride Month playlist is complete without Village People's "Y.M.C.A.", which has become a gay emblematic song. This song has a dance associated with it where participants form the letters with their arms. It is commonly performed at weddings and other celebrations, and of course in any Pride jam.
15. "Raise Your Glass" (Pink)
A song for all underdogs. Pink's androgynous style has been a consistent part of her public image, something widely appreciated in the LGTBQ+ community. She stated that "Raise Your Glass" a "celebration for people who feel left out from the popular crowd." Rock on.
Celebrate Pride Month and sing along!
Ready to dance the night away? Whether you're preparing the perfect Pride Month playlist or simply seeking inspiration and empowerment, let these songs be your guide. As you sing along to the catchy melodies of "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga or dance to the pulsating beats of "Todos Me Miran" by Gloria Trevi, remember the power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift.
And if you're looking to make the most out of your musical journey, why not try listening to LGBTQ+ songs on Lingopie? Learning languages through music has never been easier, and what better way to celebrate diversity and inclusion than by exploring Pride-themed hits from around the world?
