Dancing About Architecture

I’m currently knee-deep in Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield’s brilliant bestseller, Love is a Mixtape, his rummage through a box of old mix tapes he made for his dead wife and what they each meant, song by song. While I find I used a lot of the same songs when expressing my love or frustration over my teens and twenties, I also found it was missing that man-on-man edge that only a queer-leaning artist can communicate. So, little gay boy making his mix CD (or even zip file) for another special boy, here’s some key gay mix songs that have served me well.

“Miracles” by Pet Shop Boys is all flowers and light. Your way of subltly saying “You’re perfect, even when you’re taking a dump”.

…but if that’s too forward, go with Morrissey’s “I Like You.” Listen, if Morrissey likes something, it’s a big deal.

“Love Is Our Cross To Bear” by John Gorka is for that boy who you know is in love with you and you with him, but he’s taken or unobtainable. Sigh. And John Gorka was a completely hot bear cub at the time. For good measure toss in Joan Armatrading’s “The Weakness In Me,” if you’re stone cold cheating.

“Why Won’t You See Me?” by Concrete Blonde is for when you’re about to stop playing Mr. Nice Guy and come right out and scream “You are such a tool for not loving me!”

“Don’t Marry Her, Fuck Me” by The Beautiful South… do I really need to explain? Subltety isn’t always the best route.

Finally, if you’ve just given up, send him “End” by The Cure: “Please stop loving me, I am none of these things.” Then when you find you’ve made a mistake and want him back, “Ghost” by The Indigo Girls: “I’m in love with your ghost”. Ouch.

You can find links to all these tracks at www.danceaboutarc.wordpress.com