Five Finger Discountdown: The Top Five Coming Out Songs

General Manager


On October 11, people around the world will celebrate accepting themselves and proudly living true to who they are in celebration of National Coming Out Day.

For me, coming out took a lot longer than a day. Although that approach certainly worked for me, an increasingly large part of me wishes that I had used coming out as another excuse for a great party. Coming out and accepting who you are is one of the most wonderful moments in life, and these moments deserve full-blown celebrations. If I could do it again, I’d throw the biggest, happiest, campiest, most over-the-top coming out party ever.

And you can’t have a good party without a great playlist. With that in mind, I present the top 5 songs to come out to. These five songs not only have the right message, they also have the right groove to turn National Coming Out Day into the National Coming Out Party.

5) “I Want to Break Free” – Queen (1984)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odk3W3qLByI

I can’t think of many moments in life for which Queen hasn’t written a perfect anthem, but 1984’s “I Want to Break Free” is the greatest of them all. The synth-organ beginning sets an epic tone, punctuated by some of the heaviest drumming Roger Taylor ever did and the some of Brian May’s most iconic flying, screaming guitar work. By the time Freddie starts singing, the song is already an anthem with a capital A. With lyrics about, well, breaking free, and proud independence, and the impeccable voice and charisma of the greatest frontman ever, you’ve got an anthem for all time.

This should be your coming out song if‰Û_
You’ve had a hard time. Maybe you haven’t been met with the kind of love and acceptance that you deserve along the way, and now it’s time to cut yourself off from the negativity of the past and move toward what you know will be a brighter future. If your circumstances required you to muster up a lot of courage to come out, celebrate that courage with the anthem you deserve.

4) “I’m Still Standing” – Elton John (1983)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHwVBirqD2s

If “I Want to Break Free” drank six martin’s and threw an impromptu party with Duran Duran, the result would be Elton John’s 1983 camp classic “I’m Still Standing.” The song saw Elton at the height of both his campiness and his party days, which is how he ended up getting drunk with Duran Duran while filming the music video. Although the song’s lyrics about surviving rough times certainly make a great message to come out to, Elton really pulls ahead with the music video which was shot in Cannes, and features a brightly-colored Elton strutting his way through crowd of choreographed dancers, pushing the very limits of camp. Instead of his keys, Elton hands the leather-clad valet a handful of glitter. It’s almost impossible not to walk with a little extra pep when this song is playing.

This should be your coming out song if‰Û_
You’ve had a rough time in the past, but it’s behind you now and you’re just ready to have fun. This is a perfect song for those who have already come out to celebrate the occasion.

3) “Fuck You” – Lily Allen (2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8VZX4sHn-4

For some reason, even in 2012, there are still some people who aren’t on board with everybody being who they are and loving who they love. I know, weird, right? Lily Allen’s much-celebrated 2009 hit “Fuck You,” is the perfect message for those people. For people who weren’t given the respect they deserve, Lily Allen’s straightforward, pull-no-punches approach is just what the doctor ordered. The song is the simplest on the list, and it wont get a party bumping, but it’s simplicity is perfect for walking by the haters with your head held high.

This should be your coming out song if‰Û_
There’s a lot of negativity in your past and it’s time to tell the haters where they can shove it. If you’re the kind of person who likes to walk into your own parties with middle fingers blazin’, this is the song for you.

2) “A Little Respect HMI Redux” – Erasure (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO30UxZG4Vo
By the time synth-pop legends Erasure revisited their 1988 hit “A Little Respect,” it had already become a gay anthem around the world. Erasure cemented its spot on the list, however, with the 2010 remix, proceeds from which benefitted the Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of New York’s Harvey Milk High School. The remix is mostly true to the original, with a slightly heavier beat and some extra vocals by the HMI youth choir. The redux also came with a beautiful new video which captures the love-for-all message of the song perfectly. The result is a dance floor-ready, uplifting song that is even catchier than the other Erasure song that’s been stuck in our heads all these years.

This should be your coming out song if‰Û_
You want your coming out to biggest party ever but still have the right message. This song’s message of respect is one that the world needs more of, and it’s infectious synth beats and anthemic vocals are something that the world’s dance floors need more of.

1) “I’m Coming Out” – Diana Ross (1980)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR6pRNfhlJY&feature=fvst
If subtlety isn’t your thing, there’s always Diana Ross’s ultimate coming out song “I’m Coming Out.” Not only are the lyrics literally more appropriate for the situation than anything ever could be, the groove is also perfect for turning the outside of the closet into the world’s hottest dance floor. As soon as the funky guitar starts, it’s almost impossible not to start dancing, and once you’ve started it’s impossible to stop. With this song, Ross set a bar for coming out songs that I don’t think will ever be surpassed, and laid down one of if not the grooviest tracks of her career. Did I mention that it’s called “I’m Coming Out?”

This should be your coming out song if‰Û_
You’re coming out.

If none of these songs sound like your style, leave a comment and let me know what song you’ll be coming out to this year.

By Sean Meehan