Today I bring you part one of my favourite Queer anthems for pride month, yes I am posting it a little later than wanted but we should be full of pride all year round.
Sugar on The Rim by Hayley Williams
In the past year, Hayley Williams has released two solo albums and an EP, all exploring what it means to be a woman on the inside and out, while also facing many of her own demons, mental health, and relationships along the way.
These are deeply personal albums from the feminist art-rock sounds of the 2020 ‘Petals for Armor’, which she has stated came from the idea that “the best way for me to protect myself is to be vulnerable”, to the acoustic sounds of her EP ‘Petals for Armor: Self-Serenades’. This EP includes one of her favorite songs she wrote in the Lockdown year of 2020, ‘Find Me Here’.
‘Sugar on The Rim’ is one that Hayley herself has said is “for the gays” and you can hear why, with the lyrics portraying a new and exciting relationship and experience, it doesn’t alienate anyone by using pronouns to distinguish gender. The song is something you would hear in a club, which seems like a far-off idea while we still tackle a global pandemic, but with its 80’s dance beat and art-rock sound, it’s a song I regularly put on in my room and dance to.
MAYBE WE JUST HAD TO FEEL IT
SO WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
WHEN WE TELL OUR GORY STORY
WE’LL FEEL SWEETNESS ON OUR LIPS
Cut To The Feeling by Carly Rae Jepsen
Cut To The Feeling, released on 26th May 2017, is a favorite of the LGBTQ+ community during pride month, being very popular on tik-tok. With its poppy beat and inspirational lyrics, it’s a song that can make you feel good no matter what life throws your way.
Even though “Cut To The Feeling” was released in 2017, it was actually written during the recording of Jepsen’s third studio album “Emotion” [2015]. It was finally included on the Japanese exclusive album, re-titled “Emotion: B Side +” which was released on 13th September 2017.
AH, I WANNA CUT THROUGH THE CLOUDS, BREAK THE CEILING
I WANNA DANCE ON THE ROOF, YOU AND ME ALONE
I WANNA CUT TO THE FEELING, OH YEAH
Where Does the Good Go by Tegan and Sara
For me, this is hands down one of my favorite songs by Canadian Indie Pop duo Tegan and Sara. I’ve always loved this song, but it’s taken on a new meaning for me since I started watching Greys’ Anatomy. This is a song for lovers and friends, with no gender specified within the lyrics means it’s perfect for anyone in the queer community who is in love or going through heartbreak.
As Tegan and Sara are identical twins and are both openly gay, I could not not include them in this list. The pair are highly active politically and are socially engaged, being advocates for LGBTQ equality as well as music education, literacy, and cancer research. You can find Where Does the Good Go on their 2004 album So Jealous.
WHERE DO YOU GO WITH YOUR BROKEN HEART IN TOW?
AND WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE LEFT OVER YOU?
AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO LET GO?
WHERE DOES THE GOOD GO?
True Trans Soul Rebel by Against Me!
As a big fan of Punk music, I have always loved Against Me! When Laura Jane Grace, the band’s lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter came out as a transgender woman, I applauded her bravery and her being the most punk human being I had ever seen. Laura now gets to live her life publicly and authentically and if she has the courage to do that, in a world that hasn’t always been kind to the Trans community, then I think we all can.
True Trans Soul Rebel was originally released as part of the True Trans acoustic EP on 12th July 2013 as a free download for anyone who had pre-ordered tickets to Laura Jane Grace’s August 2013 tour, the EP would be released free of charge for a limited time through the band’s website on 15th July that same year. It was included on the band’s sixth studio album Transgender Dysphoria Blues, released on 21st January 2014. The album is a beautiful and sometimes sad and celebratory look at gender dysphoria and explores Laura’s journey to transitioning and coming out.
Dancing On My Own by Robyn
Dancing On My own by Swedish singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ, Robyn had a profound effect on me upon its release in April 2010. By this point in my life, I was already an openly Queer woman, but hearing this song and the lyrics spoke to me on a personal level. The song may be about the dissolution of her engagement but the way it is written means you can put yourself in her shoes and decide which person you are talking about.
The song is a beautiful look at loneliness, longing and has an inherently sad gay disco anthem vibe, which actually inspired the synth-pop track. Robyn is a Highley successful LGBTQ icon, whose music crosses all genders, sexualities, and religions, making for a truly inclusive experience when listening to her music, Charlie XCX has said “Robyn has definitely been part of paving the way for pop stars who fall a little to the left of the Top 40 norm.”
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