Pride Theme Mix Tape
The Ollie Ollie In Come Free Theme Mix Tape can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.
Good day and happy Pride! I’m DJ Ponyboy and I am so glad you joined me today for this 2024 Pride Theme Mix Tape!
Kicking us off, it’s Diana Ross here on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado!
Diana Ross with the quintessential coming out classic “I’m Coming Out”.
Speaking of Pride month and coming out, I’m DJ Ponyboy and I am gay.
Welcome to the Ollie Ollie In Come Free Mix Tape. I used this phrase as a kid when playing games like hide-and-go-seek to signify that it was safe to come out from hiding.
If it is not safe for you to come out in your situation, please stay in the closet. There are lots of ways to be your authentic self and find your community without putting yourself in danger. If your housing, livelihood, or safety are at risk by being open about who you are, please work to find a safe place to be yourself first.
That being said, if the only thing stopping you is the fear of what other people (who don’t hold your safety in their hands) might think, consider “Ollie Ollie In Come Free” as an invitation to come out, come out, wherever you are.
Sometimes it can be hard to come out to those closest to you, and it helps to have some moral support. I have always thought of this next song as a bunch of friends taking their closeted friend (and their friend’s mother) out for a night on the town visiting all the gay bars as a way to help their friend come out to their mother. My wish for you is to have friends like the Scissor Sisters who will “Take your mama out tonight”.
Here are the Scissor Sisters!
“I bang my own drum; some think it’s noise, I think it’s pretty!”
“And if you don’t like it, you can get the fuck out too.”
Gloria Gaynor, proudly declaring “I Am What I Am” with her cover of a song originally from the musical La Cage Aux Folles right here on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
Representation is so incredibly important. Growing up and discovering who you are (at 8 or 58) is hard and when you are not yet certain exactly who you are, it helps to be able to see other people comfortably, confidently, and uncompromisingly living their best lives – especially when you see something of yourself reflected in them.
Here is “Ring of Keys” from the cast recording of the musical Fun Home.
“Ring of Keys” from the musical Fun Home.
With great power comes great responsibility and I believe elder queers have a heavy obligation to be examples and role models to those younger (or maybe just newer).
Who was the first person you remember living their queerness out loud? If you aren’t queer, who was the first person you remember authentically modeling a lifestyle for you which seemed to flip a switch inside you? Maybe it was a musical artist or other celebrity. Maybe a friend who introduced you to a musical genre or style, a sport you fell in love with, or something else that later became part of your identity. Visit the Mix Tape Journey Facebook page to share your answer!
Our next song was released in May 2000, and was chosen to be used in the closing montage of the BBC’s coverage of the Summer Olympics. Five years later it was selected as the official theme for the London 2012 Olympics.
With an overall theme of pride, the line that inspired me to include it on this mix tape is, “You could be so many people if you make that break for freedom”.
Here is Heather Small with “Proud” on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado.
Our next pair of songs relate to realizing who you are, realizing you need to tell others, and the struggle of trying to be confident in who you are when others don’t want to see you.
First, “Coming Clean” by Green Day.
“See Me” from the cast recording of the musical Bare: A Pop Opera. Before that, Green Day with “Coming Clean” on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado.
Up next, one of my favourite new artists Girl in Red with her song, “Girls”.
Having been raised in a religious home, I tried to fight being gay tooth-and-nail. I prayed, I cried, I studied, I practiced, until finally I couldn’t take hiding and lying anymore.
Right around then I heard our next song for the first time and it felt like a sign.
Here is REO Speedwagon with “Can’t Fight This Feeling” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
“Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon.
I consider that my “coming out song” – that was over two decades ago and one thing I can promise you from experience is it does get better.
The most important thing to remember is to be true to yourself and your values.
Here is Kacey Musgraves reminding you to “Follow Your Arrow”.
Thank you so much for joining me today for the Ollie Ollie In Come Free 2024 Pride Theme Mix Tape on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
I’m DJ Ponyboy wishing you a happy Pride month and reminding you to stay gold.