Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives
By Mercury Studios
Jake Shears celebrates the anthems that have dominated dancefloors and shaped queer lives. Throughout the history of popular music, queer artists have made huge contributions - often at great expense and risk to themselves personally and professionally. This podcast shines a spotlight on those who trailblazed paths towards self expression. Join Scissor Sisters’ frontman Jake Shears and his guests as he unearths these important stories song by song.
Executive Producer: Alice Williams, Producer: Debbie Kilbride, Research: Mark Wood and Luke Wheatley
Executive Producer: Alice Williams, Producer: Debbie Kilbride, Research: Mark Wood and Luke Wheatley
Latest episode
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8 - 'Fast Slow Disco' by St Vincent
We have a bonus episode for you! Join us as we are celebrating the brilliant ‘Fast Slow Disco’ the up-tempo reworking of ‘Slow Disco’ by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Annie Clark, who goes by the stage name St Vincent. -
7 - 'Going To A Town' by Rufus Wainwright
Listen to Jake and Rufus' insightful conversation where they cover the meaning and making of the song, it's reception, what it means to be a gay artist, his influences and his encounter with George Michael. -
6 - '1950' by King Princess
The hit '1950' is the focus of this week's episode - Jake speaks to American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mikaela Straus, better known by her stage name King Princess, about the making of the song, queer representation, how her gender… -
5 - ‘King’ by Years and Years (Olly Alexander)
This episode celebrates ‘King’ by Years and "Years, a hit from 2015 that went straight to the top of the UK Charts and was named song of the year by Time magazine -
4 - 'Fuck The Pain Away' by Peaches
Cult feminist musician and artist, Peaches exploded onto the music scene in 2000 with her punky, electroclash album The Teaches of Peaches and it’s standout hit 'Fuck the Pain Away'. She’s been pushing the boundaries ever since, making genderqueer wo… -
3 - 'A Little Respect' by Erasure
Andy Bell was out and proud from the get go, fronting synth pop duo Erasure who sold over 20 million albums and had an incredible 17 Top 10 singles. This episode celebrates the most enduring of all their records, the 1988 hit ‘A Little Respect’. -
2 - 'I Do This All The Time' by Self Esteem
Since leaving her Indie band ‘Slow Club’ and going solo Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem) has been releasing patriarchy-smashing anthems and shining a spotlight on the under-represented experiences of queer women. -
1 - 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' by Sylvester
This episode celebrates trailblazing diva Sylvester James and his iconic disco anthem ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’. Black, gay and gender fluid (before that was even a term), Sylvester’s uncompromising attitude paved the way for generations of qu… -
Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives - Coming Soon!
Jake Shears celebrates the anthems that have dominated dancefloors and shaped queer lives. Throughout the history of popular music, queer artists have made huge contributions - often at great expense and risk to themselves personally and professional…