Every year during Gay Pride, the question “what constitutes a gay anthem” has been asked and answered in countless posts about the subject — even on this site. Party Favorz wants to break it down so “others” can have a better understanding as to why certain songs attract gay folk like flies to honey.
By quoting the 2002 book “Queer,” Wikipedia gets it mostly right but goes off the rails in other areas:
The lyrics of gay anthems are often marked by themes of perseverance, inner strength, acceptance, pride, and unity. Ten elements were identified by the editors of the 2002 book Queer, which they claim describe themes common to many gay anthems: “big-voiced divas; themes of overcoming hardship in love; “you are not alone;” themes of throwing your cares away (to party); hard-won self-esteem; unashamed sexuality; the search for acceptance; torch songs for the world-weary; the theme of love conquers all; and of making no apologies for who you are.” -Gay anthem from Wikipedia
They go on to list a variety of songs that they think are written down in the gay annals of history with many of them being so off the mark that it leaves us scratching our heads in bewilderment. Party Favorz even gets a mention (without mentioning us) when they list “Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, and Ariana Grande’s “Break Free” (both of which are included here) considered gay anthems for the new generation. Sound familiar? That’s only a tacit acknowledgment of Party Favorz’s contribution to the LGBTQ+ community but we’ll take it.
THEMES OF A GAY ANTHEM
The book “Queer” provides the definitive list of the types of songs that meet the criteria for a gay anthem:
- First and foremost “Big-voiced divas” are a given. The women with massive vocal pipes are typically the first ones inducted into our big gay tent (see Whitney Houston, Ariana Grande, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson, Adele, Sia, and P!nk). Even then, they may just be a persona, an image, or a style that reflects our personal choices but may not necessarily have the best vocals (see Madonna, Britney Spears, and Kylie Minogue) Other times they may be a combination of both (see Cher and Lady Gaga).
- Overcoming hardship and love
- You are not alone
- Throw your cares away
- Hard-won self-esteem
- Celebrating unashamed sexuality
- Search for acceptance
- Torch song for the world weary
- Love conquers all
- No apologies
As you can see — the qualifications are endless but never without reason.
All these themes are explored one way or another in this 5-hour set, which features modern-day gay anthems as well as past anthems reworked for today’s dance floors. While by no means complete — I dare you to find anything remotely comprehensive than what’s contained here.
THE MAKING OF A GREAT GAY ANTHEM
There is one underlying theme that should immediately appear apparent when you browse the tracklist. That is the inclusion of an overly abundant remixes DJ Barry Harris. Aside from his record-breaking work with Chris Cox as part of the Thunderpuss duo from the late 90s to the early Millennium — Barry has expanded his reach to gay and straight dance floors across the globe with his keen sense of taking songs and literally transforming them into monster anthems like no one else currently in the business. Just look at what he did with “Rise Up” by Andra Day, which is not only pertinent to the Black Lives Matter protests currently overwhelming the globe but to the everyday struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. The man is a living icon and his contributions to the dance floor and our lives deserving of recognition.
FINALLY
Given the uncertainty of the future of Party Favorz — we’ve gone back and reworked or expanded our most popular editions that will hopefully leave a lasting impression with listeners for decades to come. We hope that you enjoy this ultimate guide to gay anthems for the modern era and continue to support our efforts until we can longer carry the torch.
There is still one final Circuit & Anthems Gay Pride set that’s bound to please, which will drop next week. So please don’t think we’re done yet. Until then…ENJOY!
Album: Gay Anthems for a New Generation 2020
Genre: Dance, House, EDM, Gay Anthems
Year: 2020
Total Time: 05:08:49
1. Mika feat. Pharrell Williams – Celebrate (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix)
2. Lady Gaga – Born This Way (Barry Harris & MSC 2017 Remix)
3. Cher – Believe (Yastreb Remix)
4. CeCe Peniston – Finally (Mark Jay 2016 Remix)
5. Robyn – Dancing On My Own 2016 (Guy Scheiman Remix)
6. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland – When Love Takes Over (Original Club Mix)
7. Janelle Monae – Make Me Feel (EDX Dubai Skyline Extended Mix)
8. Lana Del Ray – Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)
9. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Kepa Remix)
10. Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone (Josh Le Tissier Bootleg)
11. Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande – Rain On Me (PeteDown Club Mix)
12. Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now (Barry Harris Club Mix)
13. Rihanna – We Found Love (Calvin Harris Extended Mix)
14. Madonna – Vogue (Division 4 Extended Mix)
15. Katy Perry – Firework (Barry Harris Pride 2017 Remix)
16. Zedd feat. Alessia Cara – Stay (Barry Harris Remix)
17. Andra Day – Rise Up (Barry Harris Club Mix)
18. Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart (Barry Harris Xtra Drama Re-Remix)
19. The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men (Barry Harris Refresh 2018 Mix)
20. Heather Small feat. Dirty Disco & Matt Consola – Proud (Division 4 & Matt Consola Remix)
21. Ultra Nate – Free (Samuele Sartini Remix)
22. Demi Lovato – Cool For The Summer (Cahill Club Mix)
23. Sam Smith vs. Donna Summer – I Feel Love (Mixed By Cheekykeefy)
24. Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have A KiKi (Almighty Club Mix)
25. Sylvester – You Make Me Feel Mighty Real (Jet Boot Jack Remix)
26. Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way (Jet Boot Jack Remix)
27. Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out 2018 (Booyah Riot Classic Remix)
28. Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real (Alien Disco Sugar Remix)
29. Mobin Master feat. Karina Chavez – Show Me Love (Club Mix)
30. Rozalla – Everybody’s Free (Callum Knight 2K17 Remix)
31. Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (Peter Rauhofer Mixshow)
32. Lily Allen – Fuck You (Rich Morel’s Explicit Vocal Mix)
33. David Guetta feat. Sia – Titanium (Extended)
34. Tegan & Sarah – Closer (Vice vs. Sultan & Ned Club Mix)
35. ABBA x Freejack – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (Karl Kane Edit)
36. P!nk – Raise Your Glass (Funk3d Remix)
37. Ariana Grande – Break Free (Barry Harris Big Drama Anthem)
38. Ke$ha – We R Who We R (Justin Sane Remix)
39. Kylie Minogue – All The Lovers (The ‘Fire’ Extended Mix)
40. Erasure – A Little Respect (Dirty Disco Mainroom Remix)
41. Earth, Wind & Fire – September (Stan Galaxy Remix)
42. Alex Newell – Boy, You Can Keep It (Tracy Young Extended Mix)
43. Aretha Franklin – A Deeper Love (Sam Halabi Mixes)
44. Calvin Harris & Disciples – How Deep Is Your Love (Extended Mix)
45. Lara Fabian – I Will Love Again (Division 4 & Matt Consola Club Mix)
46. Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive 2013 (Pink Ribbon Club Mix)
47. Kristine W – Feel What You Want (Freejak Remix)
48. Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax (Gariy & Hacker 2014 Remix)
49. Toni Braxton – Un-Break My Heart (Remix)
50. Madonna – Holiday (Barry Harris Remix)
51. Diana Ross – The Boss (Sted-E & Hybrid Heights Club)
52. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe (Almighty Club Mix)
53. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) (7th Heaven Club Mix)
54. Lizzo – Truth Hurts (Barry Harris Club Mix)
55. Todrick Hall – Nails Hair Hips Heels (Barry Harris Club Mix)
56. Britney Spears – Work Bitch (7th Heaven Club Mix)
57. Mousse T. – Horny (Socievole & Adalwolf 2k19 Bootleg Remix)
58. RuPaul – Supermodel (Mark Stereo Remix)
59. Halsey – Bad At Love (Generik Extended)
60. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop (DJ Laszlo Club Mix)
61. Adele – Set Fire To The Rain (Moto Blanco Club Mix)
62. Sister Sledge – We Are Family (Adam Clarke Club Funk Mix)
63. Cyndi Lauper – True Colors (LORD Remix)
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