What Do You Think Should Be On The List Of Most Inspiring LGBTQIA+ Songs Of All Time?
SEE OUR LIST: DNA #239 | BUY
On June 28, Rolling Stone released a list of the 50 most inspirational LGBTQIA+ songs of all time. Despite the publication being a music magazine, they cater to a primarily white, heterosexual and male audience which has left many wondering whether they’re the best people to be putting this list together. Reactions on social media suggest not, with many saying Rolling Stone got it very wrong!
Perhaps Rolling Stone didn’t ask any LGBTQIA+ people to contribute, so we are now! Let us know what you think should be on the list.
Some of Rolling Stone‘s picks aren’t valid, but it is perplexing that Miley Cyrus’ The Climb and Ke$ha’s We R Who We R are even on the list at all, let alone placed higher than Janet Jackson’s Together Again, a 1997 tribute to those lost to HIV/AIDS.
Stay in your lane Rolling Stone
Listicles aren’t as easy as one would think; especially when you’re ranking the items on said list. Music itself is so subjective and personal and the LGBTQIA+ community will all have different experiences with gay anthems. Rolling Stone was either setting themselves up for failure or hoping to stoke the flames of contention with this list.
Among the criticisms, many feel that the list falsely places too many cisgendered straight white women high on the list. This feels like a flattening of queer music and flies in the face of LGBTQIA+ artists who were missed. Of the top 10, only four of the artists included identify as queer and we wouldn’t specifically claim at least four of the songs as LGBTQIA+ inspirations; Brave by Sara Bareilles, Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves, Firework by Katy Perry and Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. These songs ranked number 8, 4, 3 and 2 respectively which is far too generous for many.
Back in 2019, DNA put together our own list, 60 Songs That Changed Our Lives. It was included in our Swimwear issue for DNA #239. We aren’t saying we’re the premier experts but at least we can guarantee we’re an LGBTQIA+ publication!
Let us know whether you thought Rolling Stone’s list was accurate or whether it could use a tweak.
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