Lgbt Songs: The 83 Most Popular Songs For Homosexuals & Transgenders
Written by: Bobby McNeill
Table of Contents
The days when homosexual and transgender people had to feel resentful for their lifestyle are thankfully over. Unwarranted prejudice against certain groups of people gives way to broad social acceptance. Our world is colorful, diverse, and accessible – and that’s a damn good thing!
Prejudice has no place in our minds; that’s why we want to celebrate social freedom together with you. Of course, this requires a suitable playlist, which we serve you in the context of our following list of best songs. Have fun with the 83 best LGBT songs of all time!
1st place: Lady Gaga – Born This Way (2011)
The core message of “Born This Way” is as simple as it is ingenious: Accept yourself and your lifestyle, no matter what others think about it. According to this, the song, released in 2011, could confidently be called a proud hymn of lived individuality. According to the world-famous singer’s account, the music icon wrote the song in a matter of minutes.
The driving song, whose message spread like wildfire worldwide among its international fan base, stands out in no small part because of its powerful, encouraging content. The lyrics are accompanied by driving beats, a catchy melody, and an iconic music video in which Lady Gaga shows her well-tried, whimsical side. “Born This Way” met with an extraordinarily high reception on the commercial music market. The record took the top spot on the charts in countless countries, including Germany and the US.
In the United States alone, “Born This Way” went over the counter nearly 3.5 million times.
2nd place: Village People – Y.M.C.A. (1978)
Hand on heart: who among you isn’t familiar with the Village People’s iconic song and accompanying dance choreography? The track, which was released in the late 1970s, is one of the most muscular LGBT anthems of all time and, aside from its subject matter, one of the most notable releases in recent music history. In terms of content, the members of the Village People take us to the story of a young man who feels dejected and lost in an environment that is entirely new to him.
The band’s advice: the protagonist should go to the Young Men’s Christian Association, or YMCA, which was a popular meeting place for homosexuals at the time. What else should we tell you about this exceptional hit? The chart successes of “YMCA. The album’s “The Queen’s” chart recordings speak volumes: in addition to many top positions in countless countries, it also has a platinum record in the United States.
3rd place: Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)
Queen frontman and music legend Freddie Mercury kept his own homosexuality a secret for a long time. With today’s knowledge, the lyrics of the song “Don’t Stop Me Now”, which was released at the time of the upcoming Queen hype, read in a completely different light again.
With his incomparable voice, the lead singer sings to us how he would like to spend the coming evening: free, carefree, ecstatic. So don’t even try to stop the singer in his contagious euphoria; in this respect, all efforts would be in vain. Whether you like it or not, “Don’t Stop Me Now” has a thoroughly infectious character. The energetic vocals combined with the upbeat melody ensure that our lousy mood is transformed into a state of ecstasy within a few bars.
The single from the album “Jazz” earned silver and double platinum status in the British music charts and sold almost five million copies worldwide.
4th place: Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2002)
You are beautiful the way you are! “Beautiful” by pop icon Christina Aguilera is not only one of the most significant musical courage makers of the turn of the millennium but also heralded a new era in the vita of the famous artist at the same time. Gone were the days when the singer came across as a blameless, good little mouse.
Instead, Aguilera took the bold step of using her lyrics to provoke and address socially relevant issues. The wonderful ballad, which embraces unrestricted self-acceptance, comes from the album “Stripped” and appeared on the scene in 2002. The single became an absolute chart-topper, taking the number one spot in the United Kingdom, where the song was also awarded a platinum record.
5th place: Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out (1980)
The backstory to the song “I’m Coming Out” is exciting. The song, penned by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and released in 1980, was inspired by some drag queens the songwriting duo encountered regularly.
Therefore, it is only logical that “I’m Coming Out” is about the acceptance of one’s personality, no matter how much one’s individual preferences may differ from the conservative norms of our society. The soulful vocals of the inimitable Diana Ross ultimately ensured that “I’m Coming Out” became a timeless, universal LGBT anthem, whose significance is undisputed to this day. At the same time, the track was not released in this country via the 32.
The single from the album “Diana” reached fifth place on the national charts in the United States.
6th place: Panic! at the Disco – Girls/Girls/Boys (2013)
The context of “Girls/Girls/Boys” took themselves “Panic! at the Disco” addresses the inner turmoil of people who cannot accept their sexual inclinations. Within the musical story, which takes us directly into the heart of a complicated love triangle, the themes of polyamory and bisexuality are writ large.
The song is a single release from the fourth studio album of the band, which was called “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die”!” was baptized. Although the track was to be denied a place in the charts, the self-confident reappraisal of the subject matter is an important contribution to the growing acceptance of the LGBT movement in general.
7th place: The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men (1983)
When “It’s Raining Men” appeared on the international music markets in 1983, only a few people would have expected that the single would develop into an exceptional hit, which is still played at numerous parties today. Martha Wash and Izora Armstead describe something like a dream come true of all people who prefer attractive representatives of the male sex. The gentlemen of the creation rain in the track context, namely in all conceivable facets from the sky. “It’s Raining Men” should remain the only significant international hit of the female vocal duo.
The single was particularly successful in the United Kingdom. Here, the perennial musical hit just missed first on the hit list, but it could win a silver record.
8th place: Erasure – A Little Respect (1988)
Songs about homosexuality are not common in Erasure’s portfolio. All the more important is, therefore, the message that the song “A Little Respect” spread in 1988. The song deals with the unrestricted request for respect and thus represents a freedom-loving message that can be applied to many different areas of the listeners’ lives.
Considering the conservative zeitgeist that was still very prevalent during the late 80s, the tolerant character of “A Little Respect” amounts to a small musical revolution. The song appeals for more openness towards homosexuals and immediately became a celebrated anthem of the LGBT scene. From a commercial point of view, the British duo’s release was also convincing.
The record found more than 600 copies worldwide.000 copies and reached platinum status in Great Britain.
9th place: Robyn – Dancing On My Own (2010)
Many homosexual and transgender people find it difficult to be self-confident about their lifestyles. According to this, many people might feel excluded by their fellow men because of their individual preferences or fear it.
In “Dancing On My Own,” Swedish pop singer Robyn deals with this very topic and gives us a glimpse into the soul life of a person whose heart is broken because of his character. And how does Robyn deal with this profound heartbreak? Probably in the best way! Instead of falling into mourning, she dances all by herself and is proud of her incomparable personality. “Dancing On My Own” quickly became a widely acclaimed hit song.
Accordingly, the single, which is part of the studio album “Body Talk Pt.1”, clawed the top spot on the charts in Sweden.
In 2013, music giant Sia dropped the “bombshell” on Twitter: The Australian announced that she was queer within one tweet. The song “Alive,” which was released about three years later, gives us a profound insight into her career so far and the associated emotional impact.
The core message to all listeners: no matter how hard life plays you, what setbacks you have to cope with, never give up and stay true to yourself. Thus, the singer gave us a differentiated, meaningful release, serving many fans as an encouraging anchor. “Alive” satisfactorily followed up on the commercial success of previous works, reaching #10 on the Australian charts—place along with a platinum record.
11th place: Elton John – Elton’s Song (1981)
At the beginning of the 80s, Elton John was in an extraordinary phase of his life, marked by many dark episodes and confusions. Finally, the incriminating turmoil of the music giant poured out in the very emotional release “Elton’s Song,” which was to see the musical light of day in 1981. The British artists were surprised by his work with an unexpected emotionality.
The lyrics, written by Tom Robinson, take us on a journey in which a homosexual youth begins to develop feelings for another boy. The song, which captivates with its sensitive character, was included in the studio album “The Fox,” which achieved commercial success in the British homeland of the performer.
12th place: Hayley Kiyoko – Girls Like Girls (2015)
Hayley Kiyoko proved to the entire industry in 2015 that the LGBT movement had finally arrived in the mainstream. While the classification of a song in “the great commercial masses” is not always meant as a compliment, in the case of “Girls Like Girls,” the matter is entirely different.
With her universal anthem, which reached a broad audience, the US-American helped to anchor the acceptance of homosexuality in the consciousness of a young target group. Musically, the number stands out for its inimitable groove, culminating in the powerful chorus. “Girls Like Girls” developed into a successful chart-topper in the United States. In this country, the single jumped to third place on the Billboard Hot 100 and was awarded a gold record due to its high sales figures.
13th place: Madonna – Vogue (1990)
The year was 1990, when Madonna, together with Shep Pettibone, dared to create the next hit with a budget of just 5000 US dollars. A few hours later, one of the pop diva’s most significant singles in terms of content is in the can in the form of “Vogue”.
The song and its accompanying music video are bursting with aesthetic charm, not infrequently drawing on the glamorous Hollywood starlets of yesteryear for their presentation. Because the AIDS crisis was at its peak at the time of the recording, Madonna’s statement for accepting social diversity takes on an even more significant meaning. “Vogue” quickly became an international hit and conquered practically all major music markets around the globe overnight. For example, in the United States, the single climbed to first place on the “Billboard Hot 100” and also went platinum there.
In total, “Vogue” has sold nearly 3.3 million copies worldwide.
14th place: Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (1978)
No matter what gender we’re into: Probably every one of us has experienced the profound heartbreak that comes with a failed relationship. It’s not uncommon for us to find ourselves at an emotional low point after such events, which must first be overcome. If you need the proper musical support for such an undertaking, Gloria Gaynor’s world hit “I Will Survive” from 1978 is an excellent choice.
The powerful, uplifting song is about the lyrical me overcoming the heartbreak of a breakup and facing life with pride. The upbeat track is the most successful single in the singer’s career. “I Will Survive” charted at the top position in the UK and the US.
15th place: Pink – Raise Your Glass (2010)
Raise your cups, and there is something to celebrate! In the wake of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass,” the occasion is simply the carefree joy of life. The catchy anthem, which is especially appealing due to its uplifting style, came along with an iconic music video in 2010, in the course of which we become the virtual guests of a marriage of two men.
We get into the chorus of the life-affirming track and forget all the worries and hardships of our everyday lives for a short moment. “Raise Your Glass” was extremely well received commercially and sold more than 6.5 million copies.
Quite a few Kylie Minogue’s fan base members are proud to be gay. The Australian-British singer herself has always stood for tolerance and openness to the world.
In 2010, the musician dedicated a song to her queer supporters, christened “All The Lovers.” In the accompanying clip, we witness how a peaceful flash mob haunts the streets of a big city. This large assembly is dedicated to spreading love and thus sends a message to the world that could not have been more beautiful. “All The Lovers” conquered 10th place in this country.
The album “Aphrodite” reached third place on the charts in the United Kingdom, while “We Are Family” was released from the studio album “Aphrodite.”
17th place: Sister Sledge – We Are Family (1979)
“We Are Family” was released in 1979 and at first seems like the logical anthem of a happy sisterhood. After all, the four lead singers of the American soul band were siblings. Nevertheless, the group’s most successful single is also an important song for all people who consider themselves part of the LGBT movement.
The united cohesion that is sung about in “We Are Family” can easily be transferred to practically all social groups that stand up for diversity and tolerance.
18th place: Queen – I Want to Break Free (1984)
With “I Want to Break Free,” the second Queen song makes its way into our list today. Unthinkable but true: When the song’s music video was aired in the early 80s, the clip caused sheer horror among many a conservative viewer. The reason for this lay in the controversial presentation of the clip, Freddie Mercury and his colleagues slipped into women’s clothes!
What would not attract a mouse behind the stove nowadays, causing a real scandal at that time? We don’t care about outdated role stereotypes and instead enjoy the musical message that encourages us to express ourselves freely.
19th place: Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl (2008)
As part of “I Kissed A Girl,” Katy Perry gave the music world a loose-light pop single that, despite its shallow nature, helped to solidify tolerance towards homosexual people in our society. The singer describes how much the kiss with another woman burned into her memory within her song.
The song also marked the artist’s international breakthrough and has sold over 8.6 million copies.
20th place: Green Day – King For A Day (1997)
US rock band Green Day also joins our LGBTQ. List. At the end of the 90s, Katy Perry released “King For A Day,” a track about a man who likes to dress up in women’s clothes in his free time.
The musical call for more social openness is now a modern classic.
