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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.

57 minutes

Music Played

  • Bronski Beat

    Smalltown Boy

  • The Kinks

    David Watts

  • Dusty Springfield

    You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

  • The Tornados

    Do You Come Here Often?

  • Sylvester

    You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

  • Donna Summer

    I Feel Love

  • Bronski Beat

    Smalltown Boy

  • Bronski Beat

    Why?

  • Culture Club

    Do You Really Want To Hurt Me

  • The Communards

    Don't Leave Me This Way (feat. Sarah Jane Morris)

  • Queen

    I Want To Break Free

  • Blur

    Girls And Boys

  • Jessie J

    Do It Like A Dude

  • Lady Gaga

    Born This Way

  • Asian Dub Foundation

    New Way, New Life

Share your comments and stories

Your contributions will play a key part in this episode, take a look at the questions below and :
  • Like the song’s protagonist, did you escape a small town for a better life?
  • Did you find the ‘80s 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?

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Broadcasts

  • Wed 20 Mar 2013 22:00
  • Tue 22 Mar 2016 23:00

Song Profiles

Read the stories behind featured songs, listen to & watch related clips & cover versions!