The Queer as Folk Music Playlist You Need
Contents
Introducing the ultimate queer as folk music playlist! This collection of tracks features all the classics that you need, from Bronski Beat to Rufus Wainwright. Whether you’re looking for anthems or slow jams, we’ve got you covered. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to celebrate Pride in style!
Introduction
There’s no denying that the show Queer as Folk was groundbreaking when it debuted on Showtime in 2000. The show’s unexpected success ushered in a new era of queer visibility on television, and its frank portrayal of gay sexuality was nothing short of revolutionary.
But as any diehard fan will tell you, Queer as Folk was also a show with an incredible soundtrack. From club anthems to heart-wrenching ballads, the music on Queer as Folk perfectly captured the emotional highs and lows of the characters’ lives.
In honor of the show’s 20th anniversary, we’ve compiled a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Queer as Folk. Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone who’s just discovering the show for the first time, we hope you enjoy these tunes as much as we do!
The Cast of Queer as Folk and Their Music
The critically acclaimed and much beloved Canadian show Queer as Folk followed the lives of a group of gay men and women living in Toronto. The show was revolutionary in its frank and open portrayal of queer characters, and the cast was equally as groundbreaking. In addition to being talented actors, many of the cast members were also talented musicians. Below is a playlist of songs featuring cast members of Queer as Folk.
“All That I Need” by Ted Lindsay (Randy Harrison)
“You’re My Home” by Paula Wilcox (Melanie Marcus)
“Ashes to Ashes” by Mary Jo Eustace (Debbie Novotny)
“For Once in My Life” by Stephen Trask (Brian Kinney)
“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by Kristin Kreuk (Laurel Yeung)
“Somebody to Love” by Moulin Rouge Cast (Justin Taylor)
“Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” by Culture Club (Emmett Honeycutt)
The Music of Queer as Folk
If you’re a fan of Queer as Folk, you know that the show is as much about the music as it is about the characters and plots. The show’s music supervisor, Jennifer Pyken, did an amazing job of finding songs that not only fit the mood of each scene, but also advanced the story. From the club anthems to the tear-jerkers, the Queer as Folk soundtrack is essential listening for any fan of the show.
Themes
Season one of Queer as Folk was about self-discovery, coming out, and first loves. The music of the show reflected this, featuring artists like Ani DiFranco, Melissa Etheridge, and The Pet Shop Boys.
Season two shifted gears slightly, focusing more on the struggles of relationships and the challenges of growing up. The music choices reflected this change, with songs from artists like k.d. lang, Sarah McLachlan, and Tori Amos.
The third and final season of Queer as Folk was all about loss and heartbreak. It featured music from a wide range of artists, including Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Rufus Wainwright.
Characters
The show Queer as Folk was nothing short of groundbreaking when it aired in the early 2000s. Not only did it show queer relationships in a realistic and relatable way, but it also had one of the best soundtracks on television, hands down.
The show Queer as Folk follows the lives of a group of friends in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who are all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The first season follows Brian Kinney, a successful advertising executive, and his friends Michael Novotny, a bar owner, and Debbie Novotny, Michael’s mother. As the series progresses, we are introduced to more characters including Justin Taylor, Brian’s love interest; Emmett Honeycutt, a larger-than-life drag queen; Melanie Marcus, a Jewish lesbian lawyer; Ted Schmidt, an older gay man; and Cynthia Rutledge, a closeted lesbian.
While each character has their own unique story arc, they all come together to form a found family that is supportive and loving (despite their many arguments and disagreements). One of the things that makes this show so special is its depiction of queer relationships – they are complex, messy, and beautiful just like any other kind of relationship.
The show’s soundtrack perfectly reflects the wide range of experiences and emotions that the characters go through. From club bangers to heart-wrenching ballads, there is truly something for everyone on this soundtrack. So whether you’re in the mood to dance or to cry (or both), we’ve got you covered with the ultimate Queer as Folk playlist.
Some of our favorite songs from the show include:
“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive (Season 1 Episode 1)
“All That I Need” by Boyzone (Season 1 Episode 5)
“I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys (Season 2 Episode 3)
“No One Is Alone” by Stephen Sondheim (Season 2 Episode 8)
“True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper (Season 3 Episode 14)
“I’ll Never Love Again” by Wang Chung (Season 3 Episode 20)
Plot
Queer as Folk is an American-Canadian drama television series that ran from 2000 to 2005. The series was created by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, who were also its executive producers and Showrunners. It was produced for Showtime and Showcase by Cowlip Productions, in association withccCC Beverly Hills, 90210 creator Aaron Spelling’s company Spelling Television (later CBS Paramount Television).
The show portrayed the lives of a group of gay men and lesbians living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The core cast members were Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, Hal Sparks, Scott Lowell, Harris Allan, Peter Paige and Sharon Gless.
The show’s music became iconic to the series with artists like New Order, The Pet Shop Boys and Britney Spears being prominently featured throughout the show’s five seasons.
Conclusion
Overall, the queer as folk music playlist is a perfect way to get your party started. It is eclectic and inclusive, and provides the perfect soundtrack to any queer as folk event. Whether you are looking for something classic or contemporary, this playlist has something for everyone. So put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to que as folk!
