A semi-historical look at gay anthems

By Larry Dean Harris

Oh, say, can you see that in America, we hold our anthems most sacred — be they star spangled, religiously reverential or classic rock (“Freebird,” anyone?).

An anthem, by definition, is a song praising and declaring loyalty to something such as a country or a cause. Wherever two or more are gathered in the name of something-or-other, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting someone who is just jonesing to burst into anthem.

Anthems are also a bit revolutionary: a melodic middle finger to the oppressive establishment of the moment—say the King of England, the Bush administration or those scary mega-churches in Texas.

Of course, history has been filled with gay anthems, too. They're just a little harder to spot among all that clever innuendo and double entendre. In honor of Pride, may I suggest The Top 10 Gay Anthems?

First Gay Anthem: “This Little Light of Mine”

Who didn't love waving his index finger in the air (middle fingers could get our hands slapped), proudly proclaiming “I'm gonna let it shine!” Little did we know that Vacation Bible School would be the perfect primer for ACT UP marches and Pride parades. Bonus gay points to anyone who misinterpreted the lyrics as I did and sang “Hide it under a bush, OH NO!” (The correct lyrics are “Hide it under a bushel, no.”)

Classical Gay Anthem: “Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite”

The original homage to CBT has kept men in tights for centuries. Yes, Tchaikovsky was a poofter—and a bit of a drama queen, too. Two weeks after a hasty marriage, he waded waist-high into the freezing Moscow River in a suicide attempt to escape his bride. Nutcracker, indeed.

Best Gay Anthem from the American Songbook: “You're the Top”

One could argue that the entire American Songbook is one big gay anthem with Gershwin tunes like “Do It Again” and “Delicious.” (and he was straight!). But the winner is clearly Cole Porter, king of the double entendre. Music historians have debated for years whether “You're the Top” is one big metaphor for gayness. All I can say is the next lyric isn't “You're a three-bean salad” or “You're a tuna salad.” It's “You're a WALDORF salad.” And that's all the proof I need.

Favorite Gay Anthem that has Been Franchised by Straight Society: “Y.M.C.A.”

Thirty years ago, the Village People’s chart topper packed the dance floor at Studio 54. Today, it's the reigning favorite at American Legion Halls and Ramada Inn banquet rooms as grandmas in beehives and dads in Sansabelt slacks take to the dance floor. In retaliation, Madonna is planning to record her own club mix of “The Chicken Dance.”

Best Gay Jazz Anthem: “Lush Life”

In 1937 at the age of 22, queer composer Billy Strayhorn wrote a torch song so beautifully gay and musically complex, Sinatra himself couldn't get it straight and gave up trying to record it. Fortunately, there were divas like Ella around  to do the song justice. When you hear, “I used to visit all the very gay places, those come-what-may places,” you long for a life of jazz and cocktails.

Major Milestone Gay Anthem: “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”

Everything changed after the über-gay Sylvester unleashed his bad-ass falsetto and a driving disco thump onto mainstream America in the ‘70s. Sylvester was unapologetically gay, black, drag and eventually became one of the first people with AIDS to speak out. He made us all feel mighty real.

Showtune Anthem: “I Am What I Am”

Again, another crowded category with all the songs like “Who Am I Anyway?” and “Sing Out, Louise.” But Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman's musical La Cage Aux Folles puts its gayness front and center—and in a dress no less. “It's one life, and there's no return and no deposit. One life, so it's time to open up your closet.” Bonus points for successful transition into a Gloria Gaynor dance floor anthem.

Best Big ‘80s Gay Anthem: Anything by Erasure or the Pet Shop Boys

You know you have your favorite. Who am I to dictate?

Best Gay Anthem that Defies Cliché: “Over the Rainbow”

Why aren't we over “Over the Rainbow?” By all accounts, we should be. And yet we can't wait to hear Rufus Wainwright take his turn when he reprises his Judy at Carnegie Hall homage this September at the Bowl.

Your Gay Anthem: “?”

Maybe it's Bette, Barbra, Cher or Madonna. Maybe its Morrissey, Morissette, Melissa or Massive Attack. From Sister Sledge to Swing Out Sister to the Scissor Sisters, gay anthems have filled the airwaves and the dance floors for decades, instilling a tiny-but-important surge of pride within each of us.

Or maybe it's that one solitary moment: when you're alone at home and you pop in your favorite CD or cassette or even—dare I say it —side of vinyl. Maybe you spin. Maybe you sway. Maybe you just smile at the realization of how far you've come and how many amazing people you've met along the way.

That's your anthem. Sing it with pride.

Larry Dean Harris is a playwright in Los Angeles.