Anthems or Headache?
Eduardo Sabate explores the emotional feedback induced when Pride playlists are dominated by beloved, but overplayed, songs.

The first three notes of “YMCA” blare out of the speakers inducing groans, rolling eyes and ejaculations of “Oh, shit, not again.” With Pride in the air, an infestation of überkitsch tracks hit the sound systems of normally balanced individuals, bars and nightclubs and the overwhelming feeling of sweating to the gay oldies surfaces stronger than ever. Songs that an everstrengthening community has adopted as anthems have become part of expressing the gay identity, but does that mean they have to be played over and over… and over again? After 19 years, skinny and tubby twinks can’t help striking a pose when Madge belts out “Vogue” and leatherclad daddies can’t help mouthing to the songs that came out when they were just cubs. These tracks often have a message that grabs gays by the heartstrings, although one year’s insight can be completely different from anothers. Judy Garland wanted us to find that special place while The Village People sung us straight into the gym showers.

In times of celebration, dancing is a vital ingredient. Do gay anthems have to have a message? No. Do they have to be tacky and mushy? Maybe. Does it have to be sexy? Definitely. Can anyone endure them repeated almost non-stop for nine days in a row? Questionable. How do people in the industry feel being constantly bombarded with cheese while surrounded by overexcited merry makers wearing too much rainbow?

Drag performer extraordinaire Donnarama is tired of “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross, “If I hear this one more time my head will explode, my hair will frizz like hers and I will barf on my evening gown.” She’s also had it with “Dancing Queen” and the Village People’s “Go West.” “Just go away,” she sputters. But when it comes to the classic “I Will Survive” Donnarama is more charitable, “I still get up off my huge Italian ass to dance to this one even though it’s become such a hateful cliché.”

DJ/Producer Cajjmere Wray is eager to weigh in, “The top five songs that I think get overplayed around Pride, ‘I’m Coming Out,’ ‘It’s Raining Men,’ ‘I Will Survive,’ ‘YMCA’ and ‘We Are Family,’ aren’t so much requested of me, however I hear them way too often and they are everywhere. My initial thoughts when one comes on is, ‘Oh, no. Not again.’”

Vocalist Jenni Burke is more tolerant. “The songs that come to mind, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ ‘I Will Survive,’ ‘Dancing Queen,’ ‘YMCA’ and ‘It’s Raining Men,’ are always requested and always have a hypnotic affect on audiences,” says Burke. Honestly, I love all these songs. It’s not a cringe I get as much as a knowing smile and a ‘here we go.’ They are anthems for good reasons. They trigger emotions of not feeling alone. If anyone wants to listen to these tunes, I am thrilled to sing them. They make me happy and feel connected too.”

DJ Sumation shrugs, “If someone requests ‘It’s Not Right But It’s Okay,’ depending on the crowd and venue, I most likely will blend it into my set if I can, just to keep the crowd happy. As to when I hear it being played I just don’t dance to it any more. I lost interest in that song a long time ago.” Sumation has also lost interest in “YMCA,” “Dancing Queen,” “Relax” and, of course, “I Will Survive.”

DJ/Producer Deko-ze adds Madonna’s “Holiday” and the remixes of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” to the list of overplayed Pride anthems. However he can’t help but note, “Love ’em or loathe ’em, these are songs that will always bring smiles to faces and will be played to death during Pride.”

Comedienne and Goodhandy’s hostess Mandy Goodhandy is succinct but blunt. “It’s Raining Men” leaves her cold, “Don’t get that excited sweetie. Stick with the raining cats and dogs. At least they stay the whole night and don’t care what you look like in the morning.” A room of queens singing along to “I’m Coming Out” does not impress either, “Come out already! You’re not fooling anyone anyway, flitting around trying to be Diana Ross.” And “YMCA?” “Christians think we are hell bound, so why give them the free advertising?” wonders Goodhandy. For Right Said Fred, Goodhandy has a word or two of advice, “Sit down Mary, sexy people don’t have to sing about how sexy they are.” And poor Gloria Gaynor, “I hope you do survive honey, but I wish this song would not.”

Everyone has a copy of these best selling hits but only at Pride are they freed from the confines of the back of CD racks or hidden folders of hard drives and MP3 players.They are dusted off, spun, mixed, remixed, played and overplayed for the week or two of Pride before being reconsigned to oblivion. Not that these songs don’t have any importance. To many, these anthems/headaches have been crucial to helping gays become comfortable enough to say “I am what I am.”

DJ Cajjmere Wray spins for Prism Revival on Sun June 28 at the Guvernement, 132 Queen’s Quay W. Info: prismtoronto.com

DJ Sumation spins at Pride College Nite on Wed June 24 at The Barn, 418 Church St. Info: thebarnnightclub.com

Mandy Goodhandy hosts The Mandy Goodhandy Show Porn Pride on Wed June 24 at Goodhandy’s, 120 Church St. Info: goodhandys.com

Donnarama performs on Thurs June 25 at Madonnarama at fly, 8 Gloucester St. Info: prismtoronto.com

Jenni Burke performs on Thurs June 25 at Cosmopolitan Hotel’s Eight Wine Bar, 8 Colborne St. Info: eightwinebar.com

Eduardo Sabate refuses to memorize and perform on a dancefloor any routine taken from a music video.