sexual identity in music

[Nick Clarke]

How can knowledge of sexual identity in music illuminate one's understanding

[andy hughes]

I'm not sure if by 'identity' you refer to the gender of the songs's subject, or the gender of the ' recipient', but interestingly, this is open to individual interpertation. For example, Denise Williams' hit 'Let's Hear It For The Boy' is a hugely popular gay anthem, although that might not have been the intention. I know of one gay woman who has adopted Dido's 'Don't Think Of Me' as her solace over a broken relationship - "When you're lying in her soft arms, don't think of me..." and again that is purely a matter of an individual taking what they want from a song. Hope that helps.

[incitatus]

Lets not forget "mad about the boy". Written by noel coward. Im not sure that knowing the gender of a composer of classical or instrumental music would enlighten you at all, would it? Bach wrote almost universally wonderful music, knowing what he kept in his underwear doesnt alter the music at all. Berg wrote (in my humble opinion, of course!) dung. I have no idea what his orientation was, but it would remain dung whatever.