Billboard has published its list of the “greatest LGBTQ+ anthems in history” taking advantage of the fact that June is Pride month. Lady Gaga signs the number 1 song with 'Born this Way' (2011), one of the first mainstream pop songs to include the word “trans” in its lyrics. Curiously, the song that inspired 'Born this Way', Carl Bean's 'I Was Born this Way' (1977), does not appear anywhere on the 70 positions that make up the list.
Second place goes to 'Chanel' by Frank Ocean. One of the few songs Ocean has released after 'Blonde' (2016), it is an ode to pansexuality. 'The Joke' by Brandi Carlile occupies third place on a list not without surprises.
Billboard does not forget classics like 'I'm Coming Out' by Diana Ross (4) or 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor (5) and intersperses them with songs that are so hot that they are actually currently on the charts, such as 'Good Luck, Babe!' by Chappell Roan, eighth place, or 'Lunch' by Billie Eilish, tenth. Within the top 20 classic positions such as 'Constant Craving' by kd lang (12), are followed by recent hits such as 'Unholy' by Sam Smith and Kim Petras (13).
Opening with Mika's 'Grace Kelly' at No. 70, the Billboard chart places Kylie's 'All the Lovers' at No. 51, Bikini Kill's 'Rebel Girl' at No. 48, Ethel Cain's 'American Teenager' at No. 46 or 'Beautiful' by Christina Aguilera at 42. Among the surprises we can see 'Boys Don't Cry' by Anitta (22) above 'Smalltown Boy' by Bronski Beat (41).
1. Lady Gaga, “Born This Way” (2011)
2. Frank Ocean, “Chanel” (2017)
3. Brandi Carlile, “The Joke” (2018)
4. Diana Ross, “I'm Coming Out” (1980)
5. Gloria Gaynor, “I Will Survive” (1978)
6. Madonna, “Vogue” (1990)
7. Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors” (1986)
8. Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!” (2024)
9. Clario, “Sofia” (2019)
10. Billie Eilish, “Lunch” (2024)
11. Sylvester, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” (1978)
12. kd lang, “Constant Craving” (1992)
13. Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy” (2022)
14. Chaka Khan, “I'm Every Woman” (1978)
15. Thelma Houston, “Don't Leave Me This Way” (1976)
16. Robyn, “Dancing on My Own” (2010)
17. Scissor Sisters, “Let's Have a Kiki” (2012)
18. Lil Nas X, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” (2021)
19. Against Me!, “True Trans Soul Rebel” (2014)
20. MUNA, “I Know a Place” (2016)
