June is Pride Month, the time of rainbow flags! Every summer, this month features celebrations, events, and parades related to LGBTQIA+ themes. The community celebrates its colors and brings them out onto the streets. The Christopher Street Day (CSD) is especially celebrated, with parades in many cities around the world. Of course, you'll need the right music to go along with it. We've put together 10 songs for your Pride playlist that you should definitely listen to this month (and beyond)!
1. Queen - I Want To Break Free
Starting off with an absolute cult band! Queen was known for their extravagant shows, and their songs are staples on nearly every Pride playlist. In the 1984 music video for “I Want To Break Free”, you see the band members in drag, which led to the video being banned on MTV in the USA until 1991. It's a parody of the popular 80s soap "Coronation Street". Elsewhere, the song was a hit!
2. Yungblud - Parents
Continuing with a rebellious touch in the music video and song “Parents” by Yungblud. Alternative rock with lyrics that tackle current social and political issues. The live performances are bursting with energy! Especially young people will likely identify with the lyrics. Yungblud champions exploring oneself and one's sexuality, against societal norms.
3. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Probably already familiar to everyone, this song from 2008 is a classic from the 2000s that pops up at parties time and again. Does it make you nostalgic when you hear it?
4. David Bowie - John, I’m Only Dancing
Musician David Bowie is seen as a queer icon of pop music. With his song lyrics, outfits, and performances, he was one of the most famous creative minds of the 70s and 80s. His 1972 coming out, memorable makeup looks, and androgynous style were quite unconventional for the time. Despite controversies, he found great resonance within the queer movements of his era.
5.Taylor Swift - You Need To Calm Down
Fast-forwarding a bit, here’s a 2019 song by Taylor Swift. The singer advocates for the rights of the queer community with the lyrics, music video, and a petition at the end of the clip. The song was even released during Pride Month! To celebrate it again, check it out here:
6. The XX - Crystalized
Here’s some indie rock for a relaxed Pride afternoon. The XX released their debut album “Crystalized” in 2009. They openly support queer rights like same-sex marriage. In an interview, singer Romy Madley Croft has talked about how it's become easier over time for her to write queer love songs.
7. Panic! At The Disco - Girls/Girls/Boys
Brendon Urie, the former singer of the now-disbanded Panic! At The Disco, publicly came out as pansexual. In the song “Girls/Girls/Boys”, with lines like “And love is not a choice”, it discusses the theme of being able to love more than one gender. Give it a listen!
8. The 1975 - Loving Someone
Continuing with indie rock from The 1975. As you can clearly see in the live performance below, this song is a real anthem for the LGBTQIA+ community. “Loving Someone” was released as a single from the album “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It” and is also available with a cover featuring a rainbow flag.
9. Halestorm - Do Not Disturb
Singer Lzzy Hale describes herself as “unapologetically bisexual” and also encourages the entire community in the same Instagram post. In the video for the Halestorm song “Do Not Disturb”, she clearly shows this!
10. Girl In Red - I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend
From Norway, there’s music for your playlist by songwriter Marie Ulven Ringheim. The indie-pop song “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” is one of the singer's hits and was also responsible for her further success. She is considered a queer icon of our time and the song “We Fell In Love In October” really took off in the community, especially on social media!
Pride Month with Impericon
If you'd like some cute rainbow accessories or clothing, scroll through our Pride category. From Vans and T-shirts to cute pins and socks, we've got plenty for you!
