List of gay anthems

This is a list of historically significant gay anthems.

Year released Song title Artist(s) Notes
1920 "The Lavender Song" ("Das Lila Lied") Lyrics by Kurt Schwabach
1928 "Prove It On Me" Ma Rainey
1929 "If Love Were All" Noël Coward Written for the operetta Bitter Sweet.
1932 "Mad About the Boy" Noël Coward
1937 "Easy Living" Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra
"My Funny Valentine" Rodgers and Hart
1938 "Lush Life" Billy Strayhorn
1939 "Over the Rainbow" Judy Garland Featured in the film The Wizard of Oz. Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. This song and the film gained such a following that gay men would use the phrase "friends of Dorothy" to refer to themselves.
1952 "Hound Dog" Big Mama Thornton
1953 "Secret Love" Doris Day Written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster for a well known queer coded film, Calamity Jane, the song was embraced by the LGBTQ community as an anthem for expressing the joy of gay liberation. When asked about how she felt during a 2011 interview with The Advocate, she replied, "I was not aware of that, but that's wonderful."
1954 "The Man That Got Away" Judy Garland
1955 "Tutti Frutti" Little Richard
1957 "Somewhere (There's a Place for Us)" From the musical West Side Story
1958 "My Baby Just Cares for Me" Nina Simone
"Secretly" Jimmie Rodgers
1960 "As Long as He Needs Me" Shirley Bassey
1961 '"Nous les amoureux" Jean-Claude Pascal Pascal later claimed that the song was about a homosexual relationship and the difficulties it faced.
1962 "The Man I Love" Gene Howard
"Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" Troy Walker
1963 "Hello Stranger" Barbara Lewis
1964 "You Don't Own Me" Lesley Gore
1966 "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" Dusty Springfield
"Ballad of the Sad Young Men" Roberta Flack
1968 "Don't Rain on My Parade" Barbra Streisand
1970 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Diana Ross
"Lola" The Kinks
"You Don't Own Me" Dusty Springfield
1971 "March from a Clockwork Orange" Wendy Carlos
"Stonewall Nation" Madeleine Davis
"It Must Be Love" Labi Siffre
1972 "Walk on the Wild Side" Lou Reed
"All the Young Dudes" Mott the Hoople
"Friends" Bette Midler
"Starman" David Bowie
1974 "Rebel Rebel"
"I Will Always Love You" Dolly Parton
"Jolene"
"Love Is the Message" MFSB
"The Bitch Is Back" Elton John
1975 "I Was Born This Way" Carl Bean
Valentino
"Home" Introduced by Stephanie Mills

Popularised by Diana Ross

"Landslide" Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac
1976 "Dancing Queen" ABBA
"The Killing of Georgie" Rod Stewart
"Turn the Beat Around" Vicki Sue Robinson
"Somebody to Love" Queen
1977 "I Feel Love" Donna Summer
"Gold Dust Woman" Fleetwood Mac
1978 "Got to Be Real" Cheryl Lynn
"Baby I'm Burning" Dolly Parton
"I Will Survive" Gloria Gaynor
"Glad to Be Gay" Tom Robinson Band
"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" Sylvester
"I Love the Nightlife" Alicia Bridges
"Macho Man" Village People
"Y.M.C.A."
"Last Dance" Donna Summer
"I'm Every Woman" Chaka Khan
"Pride" Grace Jones
1979 "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" ABBA
"Boys Keep Swinging" David Bowie
"You Know How to Love Me" Phyllis Hyman
"Don't Stop Me Now" Queen
"It's My House" Diana Ross
"We Are Family" Sister Sledge
"Knock on Wood" Amii Stewart
"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand
"Go West" Village People
"Stars" Sylvester
1980 "I'm Coming Out" Diana Ross
"9 to 5" Dolly Parton
"Retko te viđam sa devojkama" Idoli One of the first songs with a gay theme from Serbia.
"Private Idaho" The B-52's
"Never Knew Love Like This Before" Stephanie Mills
1981 "Menergy" Patrick Cowley
"Pull Up to the Bumper" Grace Jones
"Puerto Pollensa" Written by Marilina Ross.

First popularized by Sandra Mihanovich

"Tainted Love" Soft Cell
1982 "Edge of Seventeen" Stevie Nicks
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" Culture Club
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" Jennifer Holliday
"It's Raining Men" The Weather Girls
"Love My Way" The Psychedelic Furs
"Right on Target" Paul Parker
1983 "Church of the Poison Mind" Culture Club
"This Charming Man" The Smiths
"So Many Men, So Little Time" Miquel Brown
"Rise Up" The Parachute Club
"Relax" Frankie Goes to Hollywood
"I Am What I Am" Written by Jerry Herman From the musical La Cage aux Folles.
Gloria Gaynor
"Holiday" Madonna
1984 "Din Daa Daa" George Kranz
"Smalltown Boy" Bronski Beat
"Why?"
"You Think You're a Man" Divine
"I Want to Break Free" Queen
1985 "Conga" Miami Sound Machine
"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
"How Will I Know" Whitney Houston
"Miss Celie's Blues" Written by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Lionel Richie Also known as "Sister" from the film The Color Purple. Sung by the character Shug to Celie in the film, this song has been called an anthem for the Black lesbian community.
"Running Up That Hill" Kate Bush
"So Macho" Sinitta, written by George Hargreaves
1986 "¿A quién le importa?" Alaska y Dinarama Gay anthem in the Spanish-speaking world.
"Don't Leave Me This Way" The Communards
"Oh L'amour" Erasure
"Libertine" Mylène Farmer Gay anthem in the French-speaking world
"Kiss" Prince
"True Colors" Cyndi Lauper
1987 "Seven Wonders" Fleetwood Mac
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" Whitney Houston
"It's a Sin" Pet Shop Boys
"Sans contrefaçon" Mylène Farmer Gay anthem in the French-speaking world
1988 "A Little Respect" Erasure
"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" Belinda Carlisle
"Fast Car" Tracy Chapman
"Mujer contra mujer" ("Une femme avec une femme") Mecano Gay anthem in the Spanish and French-speaking world.
1989 "Work That Pussy" (Boom Boom remix) Ellis D
"Elements of Vogue" (David DePino mix) David Xtravaganza and Johnny Dynell
"Deep in Vogue" Malcolm McLaren
"Let's Go" Fast Eddie
"In Private" Dusty Springfield
"Express Yourself" Madonna
"Like a Prayer"
"If I Could Turn Back Time" Cher
"Closer to Fine" Indigo Girls
"Part of Your World" (from the film The Little Mermaid) Composed by Ashman and Menken

Introduced by Jodi Benson

1990 "Vogue" Madonna
"Freedom! '90" George Michael
"Show Me Love" Robin S.
1991 "Finally" CeCe Peniston
"Fancy" Reba McEntire
"Better The Devil You Know" Kylie Minogue
"In My Life" Bette Midler
"Losing My Religion" R.E.M.
"Justified and Ancient" The KLF and Tammy Wynette
1992 "Constant Craving" K.d. lang
"Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" Sophie B. Hawkins
"Supermodel (You Better Work)" RuPaul
"Deeper and Deeper" Madonna
1993 "Come to My Window" Melissa Etheridge
"Yes I Am"
"I'm Every Woman" (theme from the film The Bodyguard) Whitney Houston
"Rebel Girl" Bikini Kill
"What's Up" 4 Non Blondes
1994 "A Deeper Love" Aretha Franklin
"She Thinks His Name Was John" Reba McEntire
"100% Pure Love" Crystal Waters
"Girls & Boys" Blur
"Feel What You Want" Kristine W
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey
1995 "Everlasting Love" Gloria Estefan
"I Kissed a Girl" Jill Sobule
"Fastlove" George Michael
"Jesus to a Child"
"Waterfalls" TLC
"I Am the Body Beautiful" Salt N Pepa
1996 "Cunty" Kevin Aviance
"Seasons of Love" (theme from the musical Rent) Introduced in the musical Rent
"Take Me or Leave Me" Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker
"Wannabe" Spice Girls
1997 "Fly Life" Basement Jaxx
"Free" Ultra Naté
"Together Again" Janet Jackson
"Close My Eyes" Mariah Carey
"Outside" Mariah Carey
"One More Hour" Sleater-Kinney
1998 "Heaven's What I Feel" Gloria Estefan
"Believe" Cher
"Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" (Hex Hector remix) Deborah Cox
"The Origin of Love" Introduced in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
"The Boy Is Mine" Brandy & Monica
"Outside" George Michael
1999 "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" Shania Twain
"Waiting for Tonight" Jennifer Lopez
"Strong Enough" Cher
"Heartbreaker" Mariah Carey
"It's Not Right but It's Okay" (Thunderpuss remix) Whitney Houston
2000 "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)" Mariah Carey
"Let's Get Loud" Jennifer Lopez
"Spinning Around" Kylie Minogue
"Proud" Heather Small
"Stronger" Britney Spears
"Sobreviviré" Mónica Naranjo
2001 "Lady Marmalade" (theme from the film Moulin Rouge!) Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Lil' Kim and Pink
"Song for the Lonely" Cher
"I'm a Survivor" Reba McEntire
"It's Raining Men" (theme from the film Bridget Jones's Diary) Geri Halliwell
"Keep on Livin'" Le Tigre
"Murder on the Dancefloor" Sophie Ellis-Bextor
"There You'll Be" (theme from the film Pearl Harbor) Faith Hill
"Your Disco Needs You" Kylie Minogue
"Can't Get You Out of My Head"
2002 "¿A quién le importa?" Thalía Gay anthem in the Spanish-speaking world and cover of the Alaska and Dinarama song from 1986.
"All The Things She Said" t.A.T.u.
"Beautiful" Christina Aguilera
"Love at First Sight" Kylie Minogue
2003 "Defying Gravity" Idina Menzel
"Fighter" Christina Aguilera
"Me Against the Music" Britney Spears featuring Madonna
"Dragostea Din Tei" O-Zone
2004 "Take Your Mama" Scissor Sisters
2005 "Hung Up" Madonna
2006 "Listen" Beyoncé
"Freakum Dress"
"Stars Are Blind" Paris Hilton
"The Best of Both Worlds" Hannah Montana
"Buttons" The Pussycat Dolls
"Todos Me Miran" Gloria Trevi Gay anthem in the Spanish-speaking world
"Something Kinda Oooh" Girls Aloud
2007 "Get Me Bodied" Beyoncé
"Gimme More" Britney Spears
"Las de la Intuición" Shakira
"Untouched" The Veronicas
2008 "I Kissed a Girl" Katy Perry
2009 "Untouchable" Girls Aloud
"She Wolf" Shakira
2010 "We R Who We R" Kesha
"All The Lovers" Kylie Minogue
"Get Outta My Way"
"Firework" Katy Perry
"Raise Your Glass" Pink
"Dancing on My Own" Robyn
"Y'all Get Back Now" Big Freedia
"Vogue (Glee Cast version) Glee Cast feat. Jane Lynch Sue Sylvester's line reading of "Will Schuester, I Hate You" is a recurring viral meme and pop culturally reference point within the LGBT
2011 "Born This Way" Lady Gaga
"Run The World (Girls)" Beyoncé
"Love On Top"
2012 "Call Me Maybe" Carly Rae Jepsen
"Euphoria" Loreen
"Same Love" Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert
"Thinkin Bout You" Frank Ocean
"Let's Have a Kiki" Scissor Sisters
2013 "Land of Lola" Billy Porter
"Raise You Up/Just Be"
"Follow Your Arrow" Kacey Musgraves
"People Like Us" Kelly Clarkson
"Closer" Tegan and Sara
"She Keeps Me Warm" Mary Lambert
"Brave" Sara Bareilles
"Girls / Girls / Boys" Panic! at the Disco
"Let It Go" Idina Menzel
"Work Bitch" Britney Spears
2014 "True Trans Soul Rebel" Against Me!
"Break Free" Ariana Grande
"Born An Angel" Afida Turner
"Can't Remember to Forget You" Shakira
"Really Don't Care" Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd
"Sissy That Walk" RuPaul
"Welcome To New York" Taylor Swift
2015 "Beauty Never Lies" Bojana Stamenov
"Run Away with Me" Carly Rae Jepsen
"Cool for the Summer" Demi Lovato
"Girls Like Girls" Hayley Kiyoko
"Going Out Like That" Reba McEntire
"King" Years & Years
2016 "Secret Love Song, Pt II" Little Mix
"Vroom Vroom" Charli XCX
"Work from Home" Fifth Harmony
"Into You" Ariana Grande
"Only a Girl" Gia Woods
"Formation" Beyoncé
"Hold Up"
"Sorry"
"Change" Christina Aguilera
"Telepathy"
"Touch" Little Mix
"LGBT" CupcakKe
"Tomodachi" Hikaru Utada
"I Know a Place" Muna
2017 "Loving Someone" The 1975
"The Joke" Brandi Carlile
"Heart Attack" Chuu
"Cut to the Feeling" Carly Rae Jepsen
"New Rules" Dua Lipa
"Chanel" Frank Ocean
"Power" Little Mix
"Boys" Charli XCX
"Call Me Mother" RuPaul
"This Is Me" (theme from the film The Greatest Showman) Keala Settle
"Honey" Kehlani
"Heaven" Troye Sivan and Betty Who
"Mystery of Love" (theme from the film Call Me by Your Name) Sufjan Stevens
"Visions of Gideon"
2018 "Crayons" Cupcakke
"Curious" Hayley Kiyoko
"Strawberries & Cigarettes" Troye Sivan
"My My My!"
"Bloom"
"Make Me Feel" Janelle Monae
"Pynk"
"No Tears Left to Cry" Ariana Grande
"Thank U, Next"
"I'm Not Afraid" Holland
"Rainbow" Kacey Musgraves
"Immaterial" Sophie
"Colour" MNEK and Hailee Steinfeld
"Eastside" benny blanco, Halsey and Khalid
2019 "On a Roll" Ashley O
"Break Up (Bye Bye)" The Frock Destroyers
"Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels" Todrick Hall
"Don't Start Now" Dua Lipa
"Show Yourself" Idina Menzel
"A Little Bit Alexis" Annie Murphy
"Lights Up" Harry Styles
"You Need to Calm Down" Taylor Swift
"Flash Pose" Pabllo Vittar feat. Charli XCX
2020 "Betty" Taylor Swift
"Physical" Dua Lipa
"Man's World" Marina Diamandis
"Rain On Me" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
"Supernova" Kylie Minogue
"Pink Pony Club" Chappell Roan
2021 "Agatha All Along" Kathryn Hahn from the miniseries "WandaVision"
"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" Lil Nas X
"UK Hun?" United Kingdolls
"Come Through" Priyanka feat. Lemon
"Walk" Saucy Santana
2022 "Boyfriend" Dove Cameron
"Boys Don't Cry" Anitta
"This Hell" Rina Sawayama
"Cozy" Beyoncé
"Break My Soul"
"Bad Habit" Steve Lacy
"Unholy" Sam Smith feat. Kim Petras Replaced Lacy's song "Bad Habits" at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2022, marking the first time two consecutive number one songs were performed by out queer artists. Lacy is bisexual; Petras is a transgender woman and Smith is non-binary (previously publicly identified as a homosexual man)
"Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi" Bini The song was co-written by Nica del Rosario, who is openly queer, Its "genderless" lyrics led it resonate with the LGBTQIA+ community. The song also entered on Billboard Philippines' Hot 100.
"Casual" Chappell Roan
2023 "Let Loose" Loosey LaDuca
"Not Strong Enough" Boygenius
"Because of You" Gustaph
"Padam Padam" Kylie Minogue
"Rush" Troye Sivan
"Speed Drive" Charli XCX
"Float" Janelle Monáe
"Lipstick Lover"
"Ice Slippin" Omar Apollo
"Bongos" Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion
"Got Me Started" Troye Sivan
"Loveher" Romy
"Red Wine Supernova" Chappell Roan
"One of Your Girls" Troye Sivan
2024 "Yes, And?" Ariana Grande
"Bodyguard" Beyoncé
"Good Luck, Babe!" Chappell Roan
"Nasty" Tinashe
"360" Charli XCX
"Lunch" Billie Eilish
"Birds of a Feather"
2025 "Abracadabra" Lady Gaga