If I had to pick a dozen albums that are the most important to me as a member of the LGBTQ community, what would they be? Glad you asked.
A few notes...
- My definition of LGBTQ music is very subjective. All of these albums spoke to me at some point in my own journey as a gay/queer man--so to me, they belong on the list.
- While most of these artists are known to be part of the LGBTQ community, some are not. (See above.)
- A lot of my favorite LGBTQ songs are missing from this post because I never bonded with the albums they came from. That's another list for another time--and frankly a much bigger and more difficult process.
- These are in chronological order based not on their release date but when they came into my life.
And now, here are my top twelve LGBTQ albums....
London 0 Hull 4, The Housemartins
When it comes to late 80s Brit pop with a political twist, you can have The Smiths and their dark, brooding music. I'll take The Housemartins any day. Who knew songs that call for revolution could be so boppy? Honestly, if I had to name one album that best represents me, this would be it.
Communards, The Communards
This was my first consciously gay purchase as an out man.
Whatever's For Us, Joan Armatrading
I think I should get extra credit for going to see Joan Armatrading in concert in Vermont. Let's just say there were a lot of Birkenstocks there.
Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman
Between Tracy Chapman and The Indigo Girls, eponymous albums by lesbian singer-songwriters pretty much dominated the stereos of all my friends the last couple of years of college.
The Flirtations, The Flirtations
As if this wasn't gay enough, I saw The Flirtations perform at the 1993 March On Washington.
Shadows On A Dime, Ferron
Some most excellent womyn's music.
Dusty In Memphis, Dusty Springfield
Can a perfect album be made better? This one was for me when I learned that Dusty Springfield was a lesbian--knowing that adds so much more meaning to all the songs. It's just achingly beautiful.
Rufus Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright
*sigh*
Plano, The Aluminum Grop
Gay brothers from the Midwest create music that is somehow both lush and sly. So good.
In An Aeroplane Over The Sea, Neutral Milk Hotel
A gorgeous indie album with complex lyrics that are very open to queer interpretation. See also: If You're Feeling Sinister, Belle & Sebastian; Illinois, Sufjan Stevens; and Puzzle, Tahiti 80.
Hedwig & The Angry Inch, original cast recording
Sorry, NPH, I want the O.G.
69 Love Songs, The Magnetic Fields
Dick's Bar is long gone, so if I want to relive my big gay life in the East Village, this is where I go.
Honorable Mentions: Pearl, Janis Joplin; Pelican West, Haircut 100; Strangeways, Here We Come, The Smiths (I know what I said earlier in this post, but I did listen to this a fair amount in college); The Immaculate Collection, Madonna (a must for gay boys of my generation); Discography, Pet Shop Boys (ditto); Scissor Sisters, Scissor Sisters; Divine Madness, Bette Midler; and channel ORANGE, Frank Ocean.
