From “Danceteria” to “brand new chanel$,” gays walk the “Runway” with their favorite songs of the summer
It was a great summer of music!
Mark
The Material Girl kicked off summer with a fresh buffet of new dance hits, and thankfully, our favorite pop girlies kept us eating all summer long.
Good thing we could still fit into our speedos!
How about we take this to the next level?
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With Labor Day approaching, it’s time to bid adieu to the warmest months–but not before hitting “repeat.”
Madonna’s Confessions II rollout was all about her love for the gays, as the Queen of Pop kicked off Pride Month with a Times Square performance presented by Grindr. From the high energy opening of “I Feel So Free” to the last beats of “My Sins Are My Savior,” Madonna made it clear that she’s still the headliner.
Plenty of young stars, however, earned their place on the charts as well.
Amid economic stagnation and a dystopian political landscape, pop music this summer was about defying the sterilized mainstream. As The Atlantic’s Spencer Kornhaber puts it, pure pop is now a subculture, and it’s more interesting and subversive that way.
“Pop is dancing in the ruins of the American dream—or at least in the ruins of the traditional record business,” he writes in his music magnum opus, “Party in the (downwardly mobile) U.S.A.“
Unlike the recession pop hits of the late aughts, the top songs this summer didn’t harken back to a more carefree and uncomplicated era. Instead, they spoke to our tarnished times… with beats that just wouldn’t stop.
This week, we asked Queerty readers what was on their playlists this summer. Here’s what they had to say…
What was your song of the summer and why?
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Slayyyter brand new chanel$. Slayyyter is finally getting her moment! And I couldn’t be more excited for her! She’s the worst girl in America and I love her! — James in Buffalo
It’s gotta be Slayyyter! brand new chanel$, BEAT UP CHANEL$, DANCE… She’s a hit machine. If only I could’ve seen her at Lolla! — Calvin in the Bay Area
Well, Calvin, I saw Slayyyer at Lollapolaooza… and she was awesome! The Missouri native has been tickling gays for years with her hyper-pop hits, but this year, she finally broke out. Slayyyter may be the WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA. But she’s also the country’s hottest pop star.
“These Alarms” — Snow Patrol / Kylie Minogue. Danceable with amazing lyrics, smart choice to collab with the pop goddess. — Dennis in Chicago
Oh, Kylie. One of the OG pop girlies always delivers! “These Alarms” is downright euphoric.
“Santa Maria,” Tatjana — Steve in Chicago
This fun bop may have been released seven years ago. But it still puts a warm, summer smile on our face. The fuzzy, poppy beat takes us back in time. Wee!
“Slave to the rhythm” — Twenty 4 Seven. It feels GREAT in the summer and even in the winter. — Jon in Chicago
The King of Pop makes an appearance.
Gaga/Doecci-RUNWAY. It’s from the summer’s most anticipated movie! — James in Minnesota
Devil Wears Prada II gave us all of the nostalgia and celeb cameos we could want while still having a point. Bravo! In a world where Miranda Priestley flies coach, she still owns the runway.
“Girls like girls,” because it’s a good song! — Laura in Colorado
There’s no need for a greater explanation than that. Eleven years after the song’s release, Hayley Kiyoko came out this summer with her first directed film of the same title.
I’d probably say “Vodka Cranberry” by Conan Gray or “Need for Speed” by Kim Petras. I love both songs and replay them a lot, but if I had to pick just one, it would be “Vodka Cranberry.” I know all the words, and it’s a little slower than “Need for Speed.” I tried singing “Need for Speed” at karaoke a few weeks ago and, let’s just say, I forgot the words. No matter the season, “Vodka Cranberry” is my favorite Conan Gray song! — TJ in New Jersey
Bonus points for an awesome music video. May that kind of unvarnished summertime love find us one day!
“Hate That I Made You Love Me” by Ariana Grande, it reminded me that my summer fling is exactly what it is, a summer fling. — Jonathan in Brooklyn
Oh, summer flings: they are equal parts fun and destructive. We’re glad that Ariana helped Jonathan put his steamy sessions into perspective. 
Gang Bang by Black Lace. It’s in the classic film Rita, Sue And Bob Too. The lyrics remind me of the hot nights in the Gay Sauna with two to three guys. (“We’re having a gang bang against the wall , we’d like you to join us , it’s part of the fun, oh, a gang bang is the thing to do, but it takes more than one.”) — Mark in Kirkintilloch, Glasgow
Interesting choice, Mark. It’s good to know at least one person thinks this silly song is a banger (see what we did there)?
Anything and everything released by DJ Bill Bennet. As an older gay man, I have never heard songs that I so easily relate to. His songs could be about my own life. Add his masculine voice and the deep base and I’m in love. — David in Northern Ontario, Canada
We dig it!
While “all of the above” is certainly true, I was particularly digging Jordy’s “Dumb” as a fun, sexy summer bop. — Pete in Philadelphia
Summertime is all about being dumb and frivolous. Good choice, Pete.
“Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor,” Carley Rae Jepsen — David in New Jersey
Oh Carly Rae, we could never leave you. I can’t wait to see her perform later this month in NYC.
“Big Boss” by The Vampire Lestat. AMC’s third season of Anne Rice’s vampire series had the pansexual Lestat (played by the talented Sam Reid) form a band and rock out. AMC took it further by releasing an album of the tracks in the show (all sung by Sam himself). “Big Boss” is a truly catchy bop which throws epic shade at one of the other characters. What more could a gay want? — Louis in the U.K.
Nada!
Madonna, Madonna, Madonna! he queen of pop showed why she’s forever the best. — Daryl in Missouri
Danceteria made me feel like I was 23 again! All hail the queen! — Steven in Provincetown
Madonna’s ENTIRE Album has been on constant play at home, at the gym and u the car. It’s EPIC! — B in Vancouver
It always comes back to the queen!
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