Pride Playlist: Stage Songs to Celebrate Pride Month

1. Raise You Up / Just Be - Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots is the ultimate feel good show for pride. Any song from the soundtrack is an absolute must. But in particular, the final song of the show 'Raise You Up/Just Be' summarises the overarching message of the show. 

*Just be who you want to be, never let them tell you who you ought to be. Just be, with dignity. Celebrate yourself triumphantly.’ *

Say no more Lola, we hear you loud and clear. 

2. If You Were Gay - Avenue Q

Avenue Q provides one of the best ‘will they, won’t they?’ queer love stories on stage. With the tightly wound, conservative banker, Rod, who struggles to come to terms with his sexuality. Denying publicly in the song 'My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada,' who he regrets having not formally introduced to the gang… Sure Rod. 

His chaotic, laidback roommate, Nicky, with all the best intentions sings him a song to reassure Rod that his sexuality would not affect their friendship. Though well intended and from the heart, Nicky has a way to go with his allyship with complete misinformation. 

*‘You can count on me, to always be beside you everyday to tell you its okay. You were just born that way and as they say, it's in your DNA.’ *

This song is for the allies trying their best, but it’s time to pick up a book. 

3*. Seen *- The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada is a cult-classic, with high fashion tunes to match the exquisite costumes. With a soundtrack written by Elton John, it’s easy to feel the heart behind the song ‘Seen,’ sung by the character, Nigel. 

‘If a copy of Runway finds a boy who feels lost and he feels seen suddenly seen if he can learn from this magazine that being a queer kid’s not some kind of crime. In fact it’s pretty fcking sublime.’ *

Nigel reflects on what fashion did for him, as an outlet from dressing his G.I. Joes and seeing queer fashion and art in glossy magazines, he emphasises the value of self-expression and representation in the media. 

4. Take Me or Leave Me - RENT

We need a bit of WLW representation in this playlist, and also because we couldn’t be more excited for the West End return of RENT by Johnathan Larson. The show looks at the lives of a group of young artists living in New York during the HIV/AIDS crisis living the La Vie Bohème (French for the Bohemian life). 

'Take Me or Leave Me' is an absolute musical theatre must-add-to-playlist, despite the burning intensity between Maureen and Joanne, it’s an incredibly powerful song. But seriously you can take me as I am, or leave me. 

5. Dancing Through Life - Wicked

Although the Wicked character is quite the heterosexual and overdoing the macho persona in this particular song, it still deserves a place on the playlist. We also make exceptions if we’re picking the Wicked movie soundtrack sung by none other than the first gay man to ever be titled The Sexiest Man Alive (2025) - Johnathan Bailey. 

This song celebrates the art of being unbothered by the troubles of life, unfazed by the haters. The easiest way to power on, is by dancing through.

6. Dancing Queen - MAMMA MIA!

Bottle up joy, put it in a song and finish it off with one of the catchiest choruses known to man and you get ‘Dancing Queen’, from the ABBA-inspired musical MAMMA MIA!. We’re carrying on the theme of dancing in this next song. You can dance and you can jive, as long as you’re having the best pride of your life!

7. Bop To The Top - High School Musical

Allyship starts from renditions of ‘Bop to the Top’ in your bedroom with your Ryan/Sharpay. An absolute camp hit. Why weren’t Sharpay and Ryan the leads again? Gabriella will always be the true villain for stealing their spotlight. This one is for the theatre kids and for those excited for the stage revival coming to London very soon…

8. You Can’t Stop The Beat - Hairspray

Hairspray might not have much queer representation, but the message of being unapologetically yourself is the mantra we all should live by. This catchy tune is one guaranteed to get everyone on the dancefloor shakin’ and shimmying all night long. 

9. This is Me - The Greatest Showman

Staying on the beat with self-love, we have the bold and brave ballad from The Greatest Showman. This one is for the brave and bruised, who have had their fair share of character development time. 

10. Everything’s Coming up Roses - Gypsy

Finishing on a song of redemption. When things are finally going your way. Who doesn’t love that? Things are looking up, pride is on the way and the sun will soon be shining.