Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives

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Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives

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

  1. 'The Power of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood'

    2 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    'The Power of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood'

    In this festive edition of Queer the Music Jake sits down with the iconic Holly Johnson, the front man of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, to discuss the 1984 UK number one single and enduring Christmas song, ‘The Power of Love’.   The Power of Love came out during a time of social and political turmoil in the UK. Between Thatcherism, the miner strike and an encroaching AIDS epidemic the world was becoming a scary place for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite this, gay bars, clubs and saunas were thriving in the UK and amongst it all Frankie Goes to Hollywood were skyrocketing to success with their debut album ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’.    Tune in to hear about how ‘The Power of Love’ was written and how it unwittingly became synonymous with Christmas. Thank you for listening to this second series of Queer The Music, we'd love to hear from you - let us know which song you'd like us to feature - leave us a review or message us on Instagram @queerthemusicpodcast - see you for series 3 in 2025! You can watch all the past episodes here   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  2. DEC 3

    'It's a Sin' by Pet Shop Boys

    It's the Season Finale of Queer The Music and we have a big one for you! It's none other than Neil Tennant to talk about Pet Shop Boys' 1987 smash hit 'It's A Sin'.    Neil joined Jake on his sofa to talk about making the song, the meaning behind the lyrics & his brilliant music career. We cover a lot of ground in this episode and learn so much about many of Pet Shop Boys songs, their collaborations and creative process.    Thank you to everyone who has listened to this series - we'll be back with Season 3 next year, let us know who you would like us to feature on Queer The Music, but in the meantime keep an eye out for a very special festive bonus.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min

  3. NOV 26

    'Take Your Mama' by Scissor Sisters

    Have you heard the news?? Scissors Sisters are reforming and going on tour next May so for this special edition of Queer The Music, recorded in front of an audience at The Phoenix Arts club in London, we celebrate one of the songs that started it all, a song that is instantly recognizable from the first chord and one that the LGBTQ+ community have taken to their hearts, it's 2004's 'Take Your Mama' Longtime friend and associate of Scissor Sisters, Ms. Aimee Phillips turns the tables on Jake Shears and his fellow band mates, Babydaddy and Del Marquis and asks them to spill the tea on this iconic song. Tickets to the Scissor Sisters 2025 UK & Ireland tour are now on sale! Get yours via https://www.scissorsisters.com/  ✂️   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  4. NOV 19

    'Midnight Radio' with John Cameron Mitchell

    This episode celebrates the song 'Midnight Radio', by Stephen Trask, the epic finale song from the ground-breaking film and stage musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.   Jake is joined at his home in New Orleans by the creator, director and star of this cult classic, John Cameron Mitchell, to talk about where the ideas for the musical came from, it's reception, the making of the film and its enduring significance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min

  5. NOV 12

    'Free Yourself' by Jessie Ware

    Queer The Music not only shines a light on songs by queer artists but also those that have been adopted by the LGBTQ+ community and in this episode we’re celebrating an absolute banger and one that has well and truly been claimed by the queer community - it’s the unbelievably uplifting call to arms ‘Free Yourself’ by Jessie Ware.  Tune in to hear Jake and Jessie chat about how the song came about, her influences, creative process, working with Stuart Price, channelling Erica Jane and how incredibly important her queer fans are to her.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  6. NOV 5

    'Explode' by Big Freedia

    In this episode of Queer The Music we’re shining a light on an incredible artist as we celebrate ‘Explode’ by the rapper and ‘Queen of Bounce’ Big Freedia. Big Freedia, “The Queen Diva,” not only brought bounce music to the mainstream but has become a cultural icon, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and an ambassador for New Orleans. Big Freedia joined Jake at his house in New Orleans to talk about how the song was conceived, her influences, her faith, the impact of Hurricane Katrina & her love of New Orleans. Explode isn't just a song - it's a powerful declaration of self-expression and resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  7. OCT 29

    'Glacier' by John Grant

    This week on Queer The Music we welcome the great singer songwriter John Grant to talk about his epic song Glacier.  Glacier is the standout track from John's 2013 album 'Pale Green Ghosts' and is about the pain of growing up gay in a hostile environment, which for John was his conservative Methodist upbringing. It’s an emotional tour de force with hauntingly beautiful orchestration and powerful lyrics. We hear about how this song came to exist, his songwriting process and how music helped John find confidence and acceptance.  Watch the full episode here Come and have a kiki with us! We're doing our first live episode recording on the 5th of November at the Phoenix Arts Club followed by a party to celebrate season 2 - tickets and more info here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  8. OCT 22

    'Tutti Frutti' by Little Richard

    This week on Queer The Music we celebrate the phenomenal artist Little Richard and his groundbreaking song 'Tutti Frutti'. We can’t underplay the impact that this one song had on popular music at the time, Little Richard is an artist that sent shockwaves through popular music in the 1950s and his influence is still apparent to this day.  To find out more about this extraordinary artist Jake is joined by Charles Glenn, bass player with Little Richard for over 30 years and scholar Jason King, Dean of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California] You can watch the full episode on Mercury Studios YouTube channel here Come and have a kiki with us! The first live episode of Queer The Music is happening on the 5th of November at The Phoenix Arts Club - Nick Grimshaw and Jake Shears will be cohosting and joined by some special surprise guests - more info and tickets here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
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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

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