12 CUTS THAT WILL MAKE YOU BEAM WITH PRIDE:
CORY STEWART'S POP OF PRIDE PLAYLIST

by Cory Stewart

Pride season is (and always has been) an emotional time for me. Walking the streets of Toronto in June and seeing the rainbow flags adorned in every shop window always inevitably brings tears to my eyes. Growing up in a small community out of the city, there was a lot of shame attached to being gay, but I always had music to escape to. This collection of songs are just a few of my PRIDE favourites so far - I hope you listen and connect with them as much as I do!

Heather Small - Proud
The intro to this song almost implies that you're about to go on a journey. Fans of the US Queer as Folk (which was filmed in Toronto -- fun fact: I'm a background actor in a few season 3 episodes) will know this song from the pilot episode. Proud always seems to bring out emotion and nostalgia in me; it's definitely a great way to start your Pride celebrations. 

Cory Stewart - Boyfriend Material
I have no shame in making a song of mine the second on this list. I wrote this last year, and released it in June 2018, just in time for Pride. It's designed to be a bubblegum pop escape into a Katy Perry-like world, encapsulated with the homosexual agenda. I think I just wrote what I'd like on my tombstone. Anyway, this is a GREAT getting ready song, or just a bop to play on the parade float.

Madonna - Celebration (Benny Benassi Remix Edit)
For a few tour cycles, Madonna always closed with this song. The energy and electricity that pulses through this track is infectious. No pride playlist is truly a pride playlist without the Queen - and the title of this song just kinda says it all. 

Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love
I'm not sure if this track was intentionally written for the LGBTQ+ community, but I've always connected with it. Some of the lyrics really resonate: "Anything that's worth having is sure enough worth fighting for. Quitting's out of the question, when it gets tough, gotta fight some more." I don't know if this made a splash in North America, but I know all my UK friends know this song by heart.

Rosario Dawson - Out Tonight (Rent Soundtrack)
I'm ashamed to say the RENT movie was my first exposure to the musical. Because of this, Rosario's version of Out Tonight has become my go-to. The double entendre of the track's title isn't lost on me - it's likely my favourite song from the show. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a drag artist interpret this song and it never gets old. Plus, a playlist from me wouldn't be complete without a teeny bit o' Broadway!

Andrea DiGiovanni - Forbidden Love
I have The Q Review to thank for introducing me to Andrea. This song's subject matter, combined with the dulcet tones of Andrea's voice make it such a Pride staple. I love the spoken word cuts intermixed in the song, making its impact even more powerful. This song always puts me back into the time period of Stonewall, the lyrical work is really admirable. 

Love Inc. - Broken Bones (City of Love Remix)
If you want to fill a dance floor in Canada, this is the song you play. Love Inc. and lead singer Simone Denny have made a number of iconic LGBTQ+ friendly songs (including Superstar and the original Queer Eye theme song). Knowing Simone personally (yeah, I'm name dropping), I know how passionate she about being an LGBTQ+ advocate - her music is just pure Pride gold.

Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom Boom
I mean, the Vengaboys were a FORCE in the 90's. Although I was way too young to hit gay clubs in this decade, their entire catalogue turned my bedroom into a big ol' gay nightclub. My childhood friend and I (who coincidentally is also gay) used to come up with explicit (and inappropriate for our young age) dances to accompany this song. I always end up playing this track throughout the year, just to make sure I still remember the moves. 

Bette Midler - I'm Beautiful
Try not to smile when you listen to this track. One of my favourite tracks from Bette that's quintessentially her. Likely a song you may not have heard, but definitely an ode to her days of playing bathhouses in NYC. Unapologetic, brash and all humour - this is the Bette I grew up adoring.

Cory Stewart - My Gay Heart
Yeah, I'm putting me on here again. Don't like it? Make your own playlist! In all seriousness though, this song was written after I found out an astounding number of LGBTQ+ youth were committing suicide in my hometown of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. I felt powerless; like I couldn't help. I ended up writing this song as a way to try and reach out to all the kids who feel alone or isolated in our community. 

Katy Perry - Part of Me
Let's get one thing straight - I STAN Katy Perry (even the Witness era). Part Of Me is a total anthem of strength and pride. There are days when I get down on myself and I'll put this song on repeat; it always lifts me up. There's something so magical about it - and it's also co-written by Bonnie McKee (who is a songwriting legend).

Keala Settle - This Is Me (The Greatest Showman Soundtrack)
This song was ROBBED of an Oscar. The entire Greatest Showman soundtrack is worth checking out, but this song, in particular, has become an LGBTQ+ anthem. The lyrics, powerful drums and broadwaylicious voice of Keala Settle make this an essential for any pride playlist. 

Honourable Mention:
Geri Halliwell - G.A.Y.
The little gay boy in me would be screaming if I didn't include something from Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice). This song is relatively unknown (and not available on Spotify), but when I found it on Napster back in the early 2000's, it became a definitive song during my coming out process. Give her a Youtube listen, it's guaranteed to tickle your gay heart (see what I did there?)