Kesha, Bob Dylan and more have turned classic love songs into LGBT anthems
Now all we need is someone to walk us down the aisle...
By Will Stroude
Kesha and Bob Dylan are among the stars who’ve helped turn classic love songs into gay anthems as part of a touching new compilation album.
Universal Love sees musicians including St. Vincent and Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke help make beloved romantic numbers more LGBT-inclusive by switching up the pronouns used in the lyrics.
The six-track LP, which set to be released this Friday (April 6), was designed to provide same-sex couples with songs they can play at their weddings.
“For years I said that I’m not getting married until any two people can legally marry in this country,” said Kesha, who chose to re-record Janis Joplin’s ‘I Need a Man to Love’, changing it to ‘I Need a Woman to Love’.
Meanwhile, Bob Dylan changes ‘She’s Funny That Way’, which has been recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, to ‘He’s Funny That Way’.
Tom Murphy, a co-producer for Universal Love, told The New York Times of the inspiration for the record: “If you look at the history of pop music, love songs have predominantly come from one heterosexual perspective.
“If we view music as something that brings people together, shouldn’t these popular songs be open to everyone?”
Listen to the tracks that have been revamped for Universal Love below: