time travel : june
The entertainment and musical industry has always been filled with queer youth (whether publicly or not) expressing themselves through art and making the world dance and sing with songs that break the mold by not being written through the lens of heteronormativity. This pride month we’ll have a little reminder that we’ve always been around, anyplace and anytime.
60s You Don’t Own Me - Lesley Gore (1963)
Although she didn’t come out as a lesbian until far after the height of her fame, this song has been embraced as a feminist anthem and Gore went on to become an LGBTQ+ activist.
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do
So just let me be myself
That's all I ask of you
70s Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) - Buzzcocks (1978)
Iconic song written by Pete Shelley, the openly bisexual frontman of one of the UK’s most influential punk bands, Buzzcocks. His songs touched topics related to love, and human connection in a way that only the confusing queer experience can provide. And a lesser known fact is that this song was actually written about a man.
You spurn my natural emotions
You make me feel like dirt and I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I run the risk of losing you and that's worse
80s Surfside Sex - Patrick Cowley (1980)
Electronic music pioneer, and synthesizer innovator, Patrick Cowley worked on the most popular disco tracks in history and made incredible soundtracks for gay pornographic films, including this song from the album Afternooners. His music has been said to inspire artists like Pet Shop Boys and New Order.
90s Supermodel (You Better Work) - RuPaul (1993)
Dance club anthem by drag icon RuPaul. An LGBTQ+ essential that helped bring gays and drags into the musical mainstream while shaping the 90’s pop-house sound.
It don't matter what you wear
They're checking out your savoir faire
And it don't matter what you do
'Cause everything looks good on you
00s Como Siempre Soñé - Javiera Mena (2006)
Synth pop queen and LGBTQ+ icon. Chilean singer-songwriter Javiera Mena has always been open about her lesbian experience and showcases it again and again through her songs.
Me acerco a ti
Sin poderlo evitar
Oigo tu voz, tus palabrasSiempre eres tú
Sé cuál es la señal
Sostengo hasta el final la mirada
10s religion (u can lay your hands on me) - Shura (2019)
New York based musician Shura sings about queer desire, pairing her seductive vibe with catchy and groovy pop. What else could you want? Her music videos are also unapologetically queer, like the one for this song which showcases sapphic nuns kissing each other.
It's human
It's our religion
No preacher to teach us to love
Two bodies
One vision
No one's watching over us
20s people I’ve been sad - Christine and the Queens (2020)
French art pop singer Héloïse Letissier escapes binarism and embraces fluidity in sex and gender through the project Christine and the Queens. Bringing the pansexual and genderqueer experience into the new generation of pop sound.
It's true that people, I've been sad
It's true that people, I've been gone
It's true that people, I've been missing out
Missing out for way too long
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Thanks for reading and listening!