Today the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same sex marriage is legal in all fifty states. It's about fucking time. Among other thoughts, musically, Tom Robinson came to mind, for a very good reason. Robinson was a British singer and a man of conviction, vocal against social injustices in general, gay rights in particular. In 1978 his band, the Tom Robinson Band, released "Glad To Be Gay", and as ridiculous as it seems now, back then it was an act of courage. Despite all of the gays in rock 'n' roll over the decades, closeted or not, very few singers actually sang about gay rights. "Glad to Be Gay" was banned by the BBC, but made it to #18 on the UK charts regardless, because the song, while about gay rights, resonated, it hits just as hard for anyone feeling oppressed for being who they are. It doesn't matter what your orientation is, today was a win for everybody. And this, a tip of the hat to someone who sang about it thirty seven years ago.
Even if you're not crazy about the song musically, listen to the words. The message surpasses the medium.
~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Listen:Tom Robinson Band - Glad To Be Gay mp3 at Glad To Be Gay 1989, Live
Video:
Tom Robinson Band - Glad to Be Gay at YouTube 1977
Visit:
Tom Robinson at Wikipedia
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