10 Songs For Your Pride Playlist — Indian Matchmaking
| Single to Shaadi
As someone who spent an entire semester trying to figure out my sexuality, to have a gender identity crisis thrown in, only to be more confused by the end of it, I say it is time for us to forget about labels for a minute and just vibe together this pride month. Let us put aside our pronouns and sexual identities for a second. Let’s just get up and dance. And I have the perfect playlist for pride month that we can jam to.
Katy Perry, “I Kissed A Girl” (2008)
This song can mean different things depending on the person listening. It can either be taken as a silly song about a crazy night at the club or one that suggests that there could be something more meaningful behind a girl kissing another girl. It touches on ‘bisexual experimentation’ and this idea that a girl can have a boyfriend but still be attracted to girls.
Lady Gaga, “Born This Way” (2011)
In Gaga’s words on Instagram, this song and album was “inspired by Carl Bean, a gay black religious activist who preached, sung and wrote about being ‘Born This Way.’” Late last month, Gaga accepted the key to West Hollywood on May 23rd on what is now “Born This Way Day.” She addressed the crowd with love on a crosswalk painting on Robertson Boulevard as a tribute to the LGBTQ community.
Panic At the Disco!, “Girls / Girls / Boys” (2013)
This song is about a man who is attracted to a bisexual girl who is trying to pose as straight to save her reputation. But throughout the song, the bands lead singer, Brendan Urie explains how love is not a choice and that the girl should not pose as straight to appease society. Instead, she should only get with the guy if she is genuinely attracted to him. It also throws subtle comments on how fluid sexuality is and that a person does not have to choose one gender to be attracted to.
Sara Bareilles, “Brave” (2013)
Bareilles wrote this song for a friend who was having trouble coming out as an adult. The song encourages us to have the courage to be ourselves. That can mean loving who you want, wearing what you want, or identifying however you desire. That can also mean exploration and change from the normal. It simply tells you to be brave in anything you do and bravery is the embodiment of pride in 2021. While this is all easier said than done, the message is meant to inspire and even if it makes an impact in a small way, it serves its purpose. Also, the song is a fun bop that I always come back to as a way to boost my mood.
RuPaul, “Sissy That Walk” (2014)
‘Femme Queens,’ as RuPaul calls it, strutting down the runway and feeling themselves gives me so much joy. Drag is the epitome of fearless self expression and the amount of confidence on the runway is the amount I strive to have in life in general. Sissy has been used as a derogatory word in the past. But like many slurs used against the LGBTQ community in the past, it has been turned over and reclaimed in a positive way. ‘Sissy that walk’ is a phrase that basically means it does not matter who you are, you need to walk like a bad bitch.
Lana Del Ray, “God Bless America — And All The Beautiful Women In It” (2017)
This song captures the love and admiration that Del Ray and I share in common. It is the perfect twist on the American classic ‘God Bless America’ and takes patriotism for America to a whole new level. Not only does the song display Del Ray’s enthrallment for women but it paints America as a country of strong, beautiful and versatile women.
Lana Del Rey, “Lust For Life” (2017)
I had to throw in another Del Ray song. Sexual Empowerment is a huge part of Del Rey’s music and that is what June is all about. Lust is usually perceived as a shameful and negative thing. Even today, there is a huge taboo around casual sex. But the reality is that sex is a healthy activity to engage in. And if that means lustful relationships and casual sex for you, you should embrace that.
Mitski, “Nobody” (2018)
This song represents the yearning for a lover and in the LGBTQ community it can be difficult to meet potential love interests. This is especially the case for those living in communities that are not liberal and accepting. Not as many people are out and it can be scary to make a step forward for change. So this song is one that many of us can relate to. If you are someone who cannot meet others due to your sexuality or gender identity, just know that you are not alone.
Todrick Hall, “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” (2019)
This is the song about being that bitch and I am here for it because Hall is 100 percent THAT BITCH. My favorite line from this song has to be ‘I don’t play, I slay’ and honestly that is what we are all out here doing. Every single person in the LGBTQ community is slaying whether they are out, questioning or still in the closet. We all have our struggles yet we are still standing and supporting each other in different ways.
Lil Nas X, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” (2021)
Would it really be pride month if I did not include this song? Lil Nas may have gotten a lot of hate for the music video and the wild display of his sexuality but he really put on a show and I was all for it. This song and the media surrounding it shows that there are still people who hate art representing LGBTQ nowadays they have no way to stop us from expressing ourselves and taking space in the creative industries.
-Gauri Jain / Contributing Author
Originally published at https://www.singletoshaadi.com on June 14, 2021.
