The journey of being gay can be filled with unique challenges, and sadness is often an emotion that many in the community experience. This can stem from discrimination, unrequited love, or a sense of isolation. Musicians, through their art, have given voice to these feelings, creating songs that resonate with those who have walked this path. Here are ten songs that explore the theme of being gay and sad.
10 Musical Tributes to the Sad Realities of Being Gay
1. “Same Love” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert
This song addresses the sadness and injustice faced by the LGBTQ+ community due to homophobia. The lyrics, “When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay. ‘Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight. I told my mom, tears rushing down my face. She’s like, ‘Baby, when you grow up some men are gonna love other men.’ The drive to make the ones you love proud. And you’re trying to be a good son, a good daughter. Some straight people homophobic, gettin’ angry alone. God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten. But we paraphrase a book written 3500 years ago. I don’t know” highlight the internal struggle and external prejudice. The song’s powerful message, combined with Mary Lambert’s soul – filled chorus, makes it a poignant exploration of the sadness born from discrimination.
2. “Fade into You” – Mazzy Star
While not explicitly about being gay, the song’s dreamy and melancholic tone can be associated with the feelings of unrequited love, which can be a source of sadness for many in the gay community. The lyrics, “I want to hold the hand inside you. I want to take a breath that’s true. I look to you and I see nothing. I look to you to see the truth. You live your life you go in shadows. You’ll come apart and you’ll go black. Some kind of night into your darkness. Colors your eyes with what’s not there” create an atmosphere of longing and a sense of not fully connecting, which can mirror the pain of unfulfilled love.
3. “I Will Follow You into the Dark” – Death Cab for Cutie
This song can be seen as expressing the deep sadness of losing a loved one, which is an experience that transcends sexual orientation but can be particularly poignant within the context of the gay community where relationships may face more obstacles. The lyrics, “Love of mine, someday you will die. But I’ll be close behind. I’ll follow you into the dark” convey a sense of profound loss and the pain of separation. The soft, acoustic melody adds to the melancholic mood.
4. “Mad World” – Gary Jules
The cover of “Mad World” by Gary Jules has a slow, somber quality that can reflect the sense of alienation and sadness that some gay individuals may feel in a world that doesn’t always understand or accept them. The lyrics, “All around me are familiar faces. Worn out places, worn out faces. Bright and early for their daily races. Going nowhere, going nowhere” create an image of a world that seems monotonous and uninviting, perhaps echoing the feelings of those who struggle to find their place in a heteronormative society.
5. “Skinny Love” – Bon Iver
This song is filled with a sense of heartbreak and unfulfilled love. The lyrics, “Come on skinny love, just last the year. Pour a little salt, we were never here. My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my. Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer” can be related to the pain of a failing relationship, which can be a source of great sadness for anyone, including those in the gay community. Bon Iver’s unique, haunting vocals enhance the emotional impact.
6. “Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol
The idea of chasing something that may be out of reach in “Chasing Cars” can be associated with the pursuit of love and acceptance in the face of adversity, a common theme for the gay community. The lyrics, “We’ll do it all. Everything. On our own. We don’t need anything or anyone. If I lay here. If I just lay here. Would you lie with me and just forget the world?” express a longing for a simple, uncomplicated love, and the sadness that comes when that seems difficult to attain.
7. “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
While often seen as a general love – goodbye song, it can be interpreted as the sadness of losing a same – sex partner. The lyrics, “If I should stay, I would only be in your way. So I’ll go, but I know. I’ll think of you every step of the way. And I will always love you. I will always love you” convey the pain of separation and the enduring love that remains, a feeling that can be all too real for those in the gay community who have experienced the end of a relationship.
8. “The Scientist” – Coldplay
This song’s introspective nature can be related to the self – reflection and sadness that may come from the challenges of being gay. The lyrics, “Nobody said it was easy. It’s such a shame for us to part. Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard. Oh, take me back to the start” can be seen as a longing for a time before the difficulties, perhaps before coming to terms with one’s sexuality or facing discrimination. The slow, piano – driven melody adds to the mood of melancholy.
9. “Numb” – Linkin Park
The sense of disconnection and emotional numbness in “Numb” can mirror the feelings of some gay individuals who may feel isolated or misunderstood. The lyrics, “I’m tired of being what you want me to be. Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface. Don’t know what you’re expecting of me. Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes” can be related to the pressure to conform to societal norms, leading to a sense of internal turmoil and sadness.
10. “Someone Like You” – Adele
This song’s theme of heartbreak and longing can be applied to the gay community as well. The lyrics, “Nevermind, I’ll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you too. Don’t forget me, I beg, I remember you said, ‘Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,'” express the pain of losing a loved one, a pain that is universal but may be compounded by the unique circumstances and challenges faced by gay relationships. Adele’s powerful vocals make the emotion of sadness palpable.
Conclusion
These ten songs offer a window into the sadness that can be part of the gay experience. They touch on issues such as discrimination, unrequited love, and the challenges of relationships. By giving voice to these emotions, they not only provide a means of expression for those who have experienced similar feelings but also help to raise awareness and empathy for the LGBTQ+ community. Music has the power to heal, and these songs can be a source of comfort, letting those who are hurting know that they are not alone.
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