We already know how important Ariana is as an idol for her young queer fans – her headline slot at Manchester Pride Festival last year was proof of that – while Gaga has been fighting hard for LGBTQ+ equality throughout her entire career, long before others were ready to be so outspoken. Unlike many of the recent big-name collaborations, Rain On Me manages to live up to the ridiculously high expectations.Īside from being a great pop track, which is enough of an achievement in itself, Rain On Me is also shaping up as a very real contender for this generation’s defining queer anthem. The long-rumoured collaboration between Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, arguably two of the biggest gay icons of the 21st century, has finally arrived and it’s everything fans wanted it to be a relentless club track with catchy hooks that shows off both pop star’s vocal talent.
So, what do all these songs have in common? Typically, there’s an empowering message, a dance floor-ready beat (even ballads like Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful get thumping club remixes), and a pop star that’s been through hardship or discrimination who can wrap it up into a glittery, feel-good package. Still, there are clear standouts that have stood the test of time, from Sylvester’s disco classic You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), through to Madonna’s ballroom culture-appropriating Vogue and, more recently, Britney Spears’ motivational banger Work Bitch, which she claims was inspired by her gay fans. The criteria is so broad that a song doesn’t even have to have any direct relation to the LGBTQ+ community to be considered.
Gay anthems are a staple of pop music, with almost every female pop star’s discography containing at least one song that’s been adopted by queers.