Through Time and Life, There will Always be Songs that Scream Pride

One thing about the LGBTQ+ community, they're able to bring pride to many different art forms; may it be through painting, literature, cinema, or even music. Songs have been a way for queer people to express themselves and their feelings, which is why music in itself is such a big part of their wide and diverse culture; they are able to play and celebrate the lyrics that reflect their own identities.

There are various songs that queer people categorized to be “pride anthems;” these are songs with special stories and messages that they wish to convey to people. From happy, celebratory jams to slow ballads that hit close to the LGBTQIA+ community’s hearts, here are songs that scream pride:

Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan is one of 2024's breakout artists, and for the right reasons. This up-and-coming pop princess is one of the few openly lesbian singers in our time today, which also makes her an inspiration for many young girls who are coming to terms with their sexualities. Her hit song “Good Luck, Babe!” talks about living your life to the fullest; hiding behind a facade will never work out for you. Its cathartic chorus and catchy lyrics will have you belting out and having the time of your life: “You'll have to stop the world just to stop the feeling.”

Secret Love Song by Little Mix

This song by British girl group Little Mix definitely evokes a rollercoaster of emotions from someone. It’s about a relationship that isn’t accepted by society, an occurrence that happens often to queer couples. In the chorus, member Perrie Edwards sings “Why can’t I hold you in the street? / Why can’t I kiss you on the dance floor? / I wish that we could be like that / Why can’t we be like that / Cause I’m yours” which narrates a judgemental society that doesn’t allow others to be with the people they love.

I Want To Break Free by Queen

This song by Queen is about a person’s want to break free from what’s repressing them from showing the world who they really are. Freeing themself from what’s holding them back is worth celebrating, isn’t it? Lead singer Freddie Mercury goes about it like this: “God knows / Got to make it on my own / So, baby, can't you see / I've got to break free”

True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

This 1986 hit by the iconic pop singer is a slower, more mellow tune that talks about consoling and acceptance of a loved one no matter their identity. It's no wonder the single is popular within the queer community, the lyrics are definitely words a person who's been wronged because of their identity would want to hear: “So don't be afraid to let them show / Your true colors / True colors are beautiful / Like a rainbow”

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

Many consider Born This Way to be the #1 pride anthem of the community because of its message that empowers each and every queer all around the world. Lady Gaga has mentioned the inspiration of this song being Carl Bean, a gay, religious, black activist that preached, sang, and wrote about being “born this way.” This definitely reflects in the way Gaga wrote the song, birthing the famous lyrics “No matter gay, straight, or bi', lesbian, transgender life / I'm on the right track, baby, I was born to survive”

Every song here is important and close to the hearts of the queer community because of the fun, happiness, and feeling of acceptance it brings to each member. There are countless other songs with the same themes that didn’t make it to this list, but that doesn’t mean those songs shouldn’t be highlighted for the good they bring to the community.

This is a chance to spread the beautiful and diverse culture of the queers when it comes to music, singing, and celebration in our world today.