69 Songs That Are Certified Gay Anthems Whether Straight People Know It Or Not
1."Into You" by Ariana Grande
Why this song is on this list: Because there's nothing gay people like talking about more than "Into You" being Ariana Grande's best song.
2."Dancing on My Own" by Robyn
Why this song is on this list: Because this is the closest thing we have to a sad gay national anthem.
3."Cool for the Summer" by Demi Lovato
Why this song is on this list: Because this has been the gay song of summer for six years straight.
4."Why Did You Do That?"/ "Hair Body Face" by Ally
Why this song is on this list: Because I know Ally's pop career in A Star Is Born was supposed to be symbolic of her selling out, but whatever, the music was so good.
5."Juice" by Lizzo
Why this song is on this list: Because gay people knew about Lizzo three years before straight people did.
6."All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
Why this song is on this list: Because it's a spiritual experience when this song comes on after three or seven vodka sodas in the middle of July.
7."Sparks" by Hilary Duff
Why this song is on this list: Because straight people let it flop and now they must pay.
8."Say You'll Be There" by the Spice Girls
Why this song is on this list: Because the armography in this video alone would be studied for years to come.
9."Heaven Is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle
Why this song is on this list: Because that episode of Black Mirror destroyed me.
10."Work Bitch" by Britney Spears
Why this song is on this list: Because there was both a cultural and economic shift when this song was released.
11.Literally anything from Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour album.
Why this song is on this list: Because it should be required gay listening, like homework, to stream this album.
12.The really fast speaking part in Katy Perry's "Never Really Over"
Why this song is on this list: Because when this song came out, it became every gay's mission to learn that part.
13."Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Lil' Kim, and Pink
Why this song is on this list: Because this is obviously the greatest collaboration of all time.
14."All for You" by Janet Jackson
Why this song is on this list: Because of the "got a nice package alright, guess I'm gonna have to ride it tonight" lyric.
15."Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga
Why this song is on this list: Because everything about "Bad Romance" is iconic.
16."Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood
Why this song is on this list: Because country gays deserve a song or two on this list.
17."Midnight Sky" by Miley Cyrus
Why this song is on this list: Because gay people have known Miley Cyrus can sing for years, but straight people are finally catching up.
18."It's Not Right But It's Okay (Thunderpuss Remix)" by Whitney Houston
Why this song is on this list: Because this is one of the most important remixes in gay history.
19."Believe" by Cher
Why this song is on this list: Because it still sounds amazing 20+ years later.
20."Potential Breakup Song" by Aly & AJ
Why this song is on this list: Because you know the Aly & AJ gays would riot if it wasn't on this list.
21."The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica
Why this song is on this list: Because I've had friends get in legit fights over who is Brandy and who is Monica.
22."Say My Name" by Destiny's Child
Why this song is on this list: Because not only is this a certified bop, but it also has an incredibly underrated music video. The "freeze dancing" is iconic.
23."Man! I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain
Why this song is on this list: Because if you played this at a gay bar, every gay would immediately begin re-creating the music video for it.
24."UK Hun?" by the United Kingdolls
Why this song is on this list: Because I haven't heard this song out yet, but I just know people would lose their shit when they hear "ding dang dong."
25."Savage Remix" by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé
Why this song is on this list: Because let's be real, we all tried to learn that dance.
26."Vroom Vroom" by Charli XCX
Why this song is on this list: Because this song was a complete and total serve.
27."Touch" by Little Mix
Why this song is on this list: Because I will never forgive Americans for not giving Little Mix a chance.
28."Heart to Break" by Kim Petras
Why this song is on this list: Because Kim never disappoints.
29."Love on Top" by Beyoncé
Why this song is on this list: Because every gay thinks they are Beyoncé at the end of this song trying to hit those high notes.
30."Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B
Why this song is on this list: Because "Bodak Yellow" really was the moment in 2017.
31."What's Your Pleasure?" by Jessie Ware
Why this song is on this list: Because this song is pure disco.
32."Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey
Why this song is on this list: Because somewhere in that very special section of gay heaven, this song is playing.
33."On A Roll" by Ashley O.
Why this song is on this list: Because a fictional pop star with a bad lilac wig had the best pop song of 2019.
34."Too Little Too Late" or "Leave (Get Out)" by JoJo
Why this song is on this list: Because 20 years after these songs were released, I still want to break shit when these songs come on.
35."Dirty Talk" by Wynter Gordon
Why this song is on this list: Because this is probably the filthiest song ever written. It's amazing.
36."Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" by Selena
Why this song is on this list: Because on this website we worship Saint Selena.
37."Your Body" by Christina Aguilera
Why this song is on this list: Because of the way the explicit version of this song can get gays on to the dance floor.
38."Only Girl (In The World)" by Rihanna
Why this song is on this list: Because most (straight) people don't know this, but this song is actually about bottoming.
39."Gimme More" by Britney Spears
Why this song is on this list: Because nothing sets gays off more than hearing, "It's Britney, bitch."
40."Stars Are Blind" by Paris Hilton
Why this song is on this list: Because this song will be played at my funeral.
41."Rumors" by Lindsay Lohan
Why this song is on this list: Because at this website we worship Lindsay Lohan's music career.
42."Love At First Sight" by Kylie Minogue
Why this song is on this list: Because when it comes to perfect pop songs, it doesn't get much better than this.
43."Finally" by CeCe Peniston
Why this song is on this list: Because this song came out 30 years ago and people still lose their minds when it's played.
44."Break Free" by Ariana Grande
Why this song is on this list: Because I know this is a controversial opinion, but "Break Free" goes harder than "Into You."
45."Motivation" by Normani
Why this song is on this list: Because Normani released a gem of a pop single and left us wanting more. Seriously, we're still waiting.
46."Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls
Why this song is on this list: Because something spiritual happens when "Buttons" comes on.
47."I'm a Slave 4 U" by Britney Spears
Why this song is on this list: Because every gay is suddenly a belly dancer when this comes on.
48."Damaged" by Danity Kane
Why this song is on this list: Because this and "Show Stopper" are bops bops bops.
49."Run Away With Me" by Carly Rae Jepsen
Why this song is on this list: Because when this song starts and those horns go off it's an out of body experience.
50."React" by the Pussycat Dolls
Why this song is on this list: Because PCD really were robbed when they dropped the best pop song of 2020 and then Corona happened.
51."Physical" by Dua Lipa
Why this song is on this list: Because any song from Future Nostalgia could be on this list, I just think "Physical" connected best with those at the LGBTQ community.
52."Fergalicious" by Fergie
Why this song is on this list: Because it's a right of passage to know every single word to this song.
53."Get Outta My Way" by Kylie Minogue
Why this song is on this list: Because there really is no better song to pretend you're in a music video to while walking down the street.
54."He Wasn't Man Enough" by Toni Braxton
Why this song is on this list: Because if I don't hear this at a gay bar when I'm out I might as well have just stayed at home.
55."Rain On Me" by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
Why this song is on this list: Because I truly believe we live in a world that was BRON* and ARON**. It was that important.
*Before "Rain On Me" ** After "Rain On Me"
56."Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani
Why this song is on this list: Because I think we all need to forget the current state of Gwen's music.
57."Agatha All Along" by Kathryn Hahn
Why this song is on this list: Because Agatha is the MCU's biggest gay icon and this song is already being performed at drag brunches across the country.
58."I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston
Why this song is on this list: Because, quite frankly, it's a crowd-pleaser that sounds as good today as it did over 30 years ago.
59."Like a Prayer" by Madonna
Why this song is on this list: Because when this gets played it inevitably turns into the gayest sing-along ever.
60."My Neck, My Back" by Khia
Why this song is on this list: Because Khia introduced a generation to eating ass and we should celebrate that.
61."No Scrubs" by TLC
Why this song is on this list: Because it's just a classic!
62."Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj
Why this song is on this list: Because every single gay person of a certain age knows every lyric to this song.
63."Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony
Why this song is on this list: Because "Work From Home" really was the moment in summer 2016.
64."Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus
Why this song is on this list: Because the closest thing we get to a gay/straight alliance is when this song plays.
65."Hung Up" by Madonna
Why this song is on this list: Because this is arguably Madonna's best lead single from her best album.
66."We Found Love" by Rihanna
Why this song is on this list: Because this is 100% Rihanna's best song and music video.
67."Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry
Why this song is on this list: Because there really has never been a better pop song.
68."Waiting for Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez
Why this song is on this list: Because gay people now instantly associate green lasers with "Waiting for Tonight."
69."Wannabe" by the Spice Girls
Why this song is on this list: Because duh.
And here's a playlist below (and also on Apple Music):
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2021.
