Search form

Scroll To Top
Music

Cheers, Queers: The Gayest Summer Hits of the Last 30 Years

George Michael, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga
Associated Press

From George Michael and Paula Abdul, to Sia and Lady Gaga. 

With Memorial Day behind us and all the promise of Summer 2017 that lies ahead, it's time to start thinking about what songs you'll be crafting memories to. Miley Cyrus' "Malibu" is the obvious go-to for beach weekends, and "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi has an inescapable summer beat that's perfect for house parties.

Leading up to the inevitable crowning of the Song of Summer 2017, Billboardhas released the songs that garnered the most airplay between Memorial Day and Labor Day dating all the way back to 1958. We took the liberty of picking out the queerest song that was ruling the airwaves each summer going back 30 years.

Bear in mind, openly gay and queer artists were few and far between even 10 years ago, so while songs by queer artists were immediate winners, others are queer-tangential in that they are songs by allies, beloved icons, or just songs that kept the gay clubs bumping during their respective summers.

1987 - George Michael - "I Want Your Sex" (No. 6)

1988 - George Michael - "Monkey" (No. 3)

1989 - Paula Abdul - "Cold Hearted" (No. 3)

1990 - Snap - "The Power" (No. 8)

1991 - Lenny Kravitz - "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" (No. 6)

1992 - Madonna - "This Used To Be My Playground" (No. 7)

1993 - Robin S. - "Show Me Love" (No. 9)

1994 - Ace of Base - "Don't Turn Around" (No. 3)

1995 - TLC - "Waterfalls" (No. 1)

1996 - Donna Lewis - "I Love You Always Forever" (No. 8)

1997 - Robyn - "Do You Know (What It Takes)" (No. 9)

1998 - Brandy & Monica - "The Boy Is Mine" (No. 1)

1999 - Whitney Houston - "It's Not Right But It's Ok" (No. 9)

2000 - Janet Jackson- "Doesn't Really Matter" (No. 4)

2001 - Destiny's Child - "Bootylicious" (No. 7)

2002 - Vanessa Carlton - "A Thousand Miles) (No. 9)

2003 - Beyonce Ft. Jay-Z - "Crazy In Love" (No. 1)

2004 - Nina Sky Ft. Jabba - "Move Ya Body (No. 7)

2005 - Missy Elliott ft. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop - "Lose Control" (No. 7)

2006 - Shakira - "Hips Don't Lie" (No. 2)

2007 - Rihanna ft. Jay-Z - "Umbrella" (No. 1)

2008 - Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (No. 1)

2009 - Lady Gaga - "Lovegame" (No. 7)

2010 - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg - "California Gurls" (No. 1)

2011 - Lady Gaga - "The Edge of Glory" (No. 7)

2012 - Carly Rae Jepsen - "Call Me Maybe" (No. 1)

2013 - Miley Cyrus - "We Can't Stop" (No. 4)

2014 - Sam Smith - "Stay With Me" (No. 4)

2015 - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. M0 - "Lean On" (No. 8)

2016 - Sia Ft. Sean Paul - "Cheap Thrills" (No. 4)

See the top 10 songs from every summer since 1958 via Billboardhere.

Advocate Channel - The Pride StoreOut / Advocate Magazine - Fellow Travelers & Jamie Lee Curtis

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Dennis Hinzmann