Melodies of Pride: Queer Anthems for LGBTQ+ Representation
| 06/29/23
From new classics to the hottest sounds of summer, get your Pride playlist ready to rock.
If you’ve been out during Pride Month, it’s without a doubt you’ve heard some amazing music to get you in the spirits for the month’s festivities. From certified classics like “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga to the hottest song of the summer, “Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue, there’s a lot of great queer music we can’t stop listening to. We've selected music from LGBTQ+ artists and allies who stand for our community and make powerful songs to jam out to. And the best way we’ve enjoyed listening to music lately is vinyl, so get out the turntable and get to listening!
Below you’ll find a selection of albums from Amazon that offer up great sounds to listen to during Pride Month and beyond. Check them out and keep jamming on.
The editors of equalpride who publish this site selected these products and equalpride may earn a small affiliate share if you purchase which helps push our voice to more LGBTQ+ and increase print magazines to counter banned printed books.
My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks
"My Soft Machine" is Arlo Parks' sophomore album and it's probably her most personal yet. An out, bisexual singer, Arlo Parks is a Grammy-nominated performer who takes alternative music to new heights. Featuring songs like "Devotion" and "Impurities," Arlo Parks is making music that helps you navigate who you are and where you're going.
The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe knows how to make music for you to love yourself to. There is so much self-love in their music that you can feel extra Pride when listening. We can't stop listening to "The Age of Pleasure" for this reason, because songs like "Lipstick Lover" and "Phenomenal (feat. Doechii)" make us feel great during Pride Month.
Barbie The Album
Barbie has absolutely taken over the summer and there's no stopping her. The Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling-starring film has a killer soundtrack that we have ourselves jamming to with the windows down in our little pink cars. Featuring music from Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Charli XCX, there's so many queer icons to stan and listen to.
we fell in love in october by girl in red
"we fell in love in october" is one of the queer anthems we haven't been able to get out of our heads since girl in red debuted it in 2020. As an out, gay and queer artist, girl in red has become an icon in the LGBTQ+ community since, but this vinyl with special features feels like the best way to honor them.
Born This Way by Lady Gaga
"Born This Way" is Lady Gaga at her most powerful. There are so many hits on this album that we jam out to every Pride Month that we could listen to over and over. From singles like "Marry The Night" and "The Edge of Glory" that became massive hits, to the LGBTQ+ anthem "Born This Way," Gaga has perfectly tailored her music to the queer listener.
Tension by Kylie Minogue
"Padam Padam" is the song of the summer and the return of Kylie Minogue to all of our queer hearts. But the dance hit isn't the only song to watch out for when listening to Minogue's latest album. "Hold On To Now" and "Tension" are some of the tracks from this album that deserve a repeat listen.
Boygenius
Boygenius, made up of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, knows how to make music for the queer listener. Focusing on queer joy, their debut album is something that we can't stop listening to, and watching, ever since Kristen Stewart directed their short film.
Gone Now by Bleachers
Bleachers knows how to make music that brings out the emotion in its listeners. Ever since curating the soundtrack for Love, Simon, Bleachers has become a beloved band for the LGBTQ+ community. And no look further than their second studio album "Gone Now" that focuses on the difficulties of growing old and losing people in life.
Gloria by Sam Smith
Featuring the Grammy-winning single with Kim Petras, "Unholy," Sam Smith's fourth studio album still breaks barriers with music that we have on repeat over and over, especially the record-breaking single that resulted in the first out, trans artist to win a Grammy. But don't miss out on singles "Gimme" and "I'm Not Here To Make Friends" that are sure to make you sing out loud.
PANORAMA by Hayley Kiyoko
You see the rainbow on Hayley Kiyoko's vinyl and you know things are going to be queer. As an out, queer woman, Kiyoko has made anthems for queer women, and PANORAMA is no exception. Featuring singles “For The Girls,” “Deep In The Woods,” “Chance,” and “Found My Friends," PANORAMA is an album that we can't put down.
Hold The Girl by Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama's second album is her at her most ambitious, and the pansexual pop star uses intimate storytelling with powerful anthems to hook queer listeners. Songs like "Hold the Girl" and "This Hell" are the queer pop songs we can't stop singing all summer long.
SweetSexySavage by Kehlani
When it comes to music you can effortlessly jam out to, it's Kehlani who takes the top prize. The queer music artist's debut album features hit singles we love to sing and affirm our queerness, like "CRZY", "Distractions", and "Keep On." Anytime you need to pump yourself up and feel absolutely fabulous, "SweetSexySavage" has you covered.
Diamonds by Elton John
Talk about a royal gem! Elton John is a gay icon and so many of the hit music artist's songs are ones so many in the LGBTQ+ community can relate to. But "Diamonds" truly is spectacular with it containing 34 tracks of the songwriter's greatest hits, remastered and affirming of the queerness within you.
Bloom by Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan knows how to make a bop, and "Bloom" shows the gay artist bridging crisp production with timeless balladry to create something effortlessly accessible, artistic, and easy to listen to. Personal and intimate, "Bloom" becomes something universal for so many queer listeners who are growing into their queerness and finding themselves.
