Smalltown Boy
Openly gay pop arrived in the UK in the 1980s with Pet Shop Boys and Bronski Beat, illustrating how far British society had moved towards being more open-minded and inclusive.
Whilst British pop has had a long and colourful history of powerful and visionary movers and shakers who just happened to be gay, for a long time it was a story that was kept under wraps. Partly because it would have been distasteful to a huge chunk of the mainstream record buying public, but mostly because it was also illegal until 1967. But consider these gay trailblazers: Brian Epstein and Simon Napier Bell were incredibly successful managers, the former with, of course, The Beatles, the latter with Marc Bolan and later Wham. Joe Meek was a maverick music-making trail-blazer and Kenny Everett the most influential DJ of his era.
Last on
Clips
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'Kids still run away'
Duration: 00:17
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'Its obvious...' - The 'Smalltown Boy' video
Duration: 00:13
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The People's Songs - Episode 12 Preview
Duration: 01:19
Music Played
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Bronski Beat
Smalltown Boy
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The Kinks
David Watts
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Dusty Springfield
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
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The Tornados
Do You Come Here Often?
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Sylvester
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
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Donna Summer
I Feel Love
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Bronski Beat
Smalltown Boy
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Bronski Beat
Why?
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Culture Club
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
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The Communards
Don't Leave Me This Way (feat. Sarah Jane Morris)
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Queen
I Want To Break Free
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Blur
Girls And Boys
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Jessie J
Do It Like A Dude
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Lady Gaga
Born This Way
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Asian Dub Foundation
New Way, New Life
Share your comments and stories
- Like the songβs protagonist, did you escape a small town for a better life?
- Did you find the β80s a liberating and exciting decade?
- Did you march or campaign for equality?
- Do you
think Britain is a more tolerant society compared with twenty years ago?
You can
or read about
Broadcasts
- Wed 20 Mar 2013 22:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Tue 22 Mar 2016 23:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
Song Profiles
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