69 Songs That Are Certified Gay Anthems Whether Straight People Know It Or Not

If you play it, they will come.

1. "Into You" by Ariana Grande

Republic

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

Konichiwa

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

Hollywood Records

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

Warner Bros.

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

UMG

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

youtube.com

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

SME

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

Virgin

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

UMG

Why this song is on this list: Because that episode of Black Mirror destroyed me.

10. "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears

RCA

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.

UMG

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"

Capitol Records

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

UMG/ WMG/ Sony

Why this song is on this list: Because this is obviously the greatest collaboration of all time.

14. "All for You" by Janet Jackson

BMI

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

Interscope Records

Why this song is on this list: Because everything about "Bad Romance" is iconic.

16. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood

Arista

Why this song is on this list: Because country gays deserve a song or two on this list.

17. "Midnight Sky" by Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus/ RCA

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

youtube.com

Why this song is on this list: Because this is one of the most important remixes in gay history.

19. "Believe" by Cher

Warner Music UK

Why this song is on this list: Because it still sounds amazing 20+ years later.

20. "Potential Breakup Song" by Aly & AJ

Hollywood Records

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

WMG

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

Columbia

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

Mercury Nashville

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

WOW/ BBC Three

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

1501 / Certified300

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

Asylum

Why this song is on this list: Because this song was a complete and total serve. 

27. "Touch" by Little Mix

Syco

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

Bunhead

Why this song is on this list: Because Kim never disappoints. 

29. "Love on Top" by Beyoncé

Sony

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

WMG

Why this song is on this list: Because "Bodak Yellow" really was the moment in 2017.

31. "What's Your Pleasure?" by Jessie Ware

Jessie Ware/ UMG

Why this song is on this list: Because this song is pure disco.

32. "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey

Columbia

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.

Netflix

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

UMG

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

Neon Records

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

UMG

Why this song is on this list: Because on this website we worship Saint Selena.

37. "Your Body" by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera/ Sony Music

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

Def Jam

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

RCA

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

Cash Money Records

Why this song is on this list: Because this song will be played at my funeral.

41. "Rumors" by Lindsay Lohan

Casablanca Records

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

WMG

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

A&M Records

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

Republic

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

Normani/ RCA

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

UMG

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

Jive

Why this song is on this list: Because every gay is suddenly a belly dancer when this comes on.

48. "Damaged" by Danity Kane

youtube.com

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

UMG

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

Merlin / Via youtube.com

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

WMG

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

A&M Records

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

WMG

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

SME

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

Lady Gaga/ UMG

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

Interscope

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

Marvel/ Disney+

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

SME

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

youtube.com

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

Artemis

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

LaFace Records

Why this song is on this list: Because it's just a classic!

62. "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj

Young Money

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

SME

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

Hollywood Records

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

Madonna/ WMG

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

youtube.com

Why this song is on this list: Because this is 100% Rihanna's best song and music video.

67. "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry

youtube.com

Why this song is on this list: Because there really has never been a better pop song.

68. "Waiting for Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez

SME

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

UMG

Why this song is on this list: Because duh.

And here's a playlist below (and also on Apple Music):

embed.spotify.com

Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2021.

Kevin Valente/ BuzzFeed