What's your favourite gender neutral song?

[vkm91941]

And some would say this doesn't qualify but I think it does because many many gay people are married in their hearts even in places that do not allow them to marry legally.


Song: Book Of Love
Artist: Peter Gabriel Lyrics


The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing
But I
I love it when you read to me
And you
You can read me anything
The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb
But I
I love it when you sing to me
And you
You can sing me anything
The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know
But I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
You ought to give me wedding rings

[delalluvia]

And then there's this one of Elton John's.  We've all well known about his sexuality forever, but regardless I could always see myself in this one and always loved the sheer poetry of it.

(Sorry to be hijacking your thread, by the way, Roland - don't mean to - you've just inspired me.  )

Someone Saved My Life Tonight ~ Bernie Taupin, Elton John

When I think of those east end lights, muggy nights
The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs
Prima donna lord you really should have been there
Sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair
And it's one more beer and I don't hear you anymore
We've all gone crazy lately
My friends out there rolling round the basement floor

And someone saved my life tonight, sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me didn't you dear
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye-bye

I never realised the passing hours of evening showers
A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams
I'm strangled by your haunted social scene
Just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen
It's four oclock in the morning
Damn it, listen to me good
I'm sleeping with myself tonight
Saved in time, thank God my music's still alive

And I would have walked head on into the deep end of the river
Clinging to your stocks and bonds
Paying your h.p. demands forever
They're coming in the morning with a truck to take me home
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight
So save your strength and run the field you play alone

I love this song, but it's hardly gender neutral is it?  Considering when it first came out and the words 'altar bound'?

[ednbarby]

I love this song, but it's hardly gender neutral is it?  Considering when it first came out and the words 'altar bound'?

Yeah, I guess it's debatable at best.  But even though I knew (or thought I knew) at the time that it was about one or both of them not choosing to live that lie, I could still see myself in it when looking at my own long-term relationships I'm ultimately glad ended.

[ednbarby]

Try this one (edited to make the one-letter and one-number lyrics that he actually wrote words, because it drives me nuts to look at it his way):

Purple Rain ~ The artist currently once again known as Prince

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted to one time see you laughing
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I never wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby I could never steal you from another
It's such a shame our friendship had to end

Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
It's time we all reach out for something new
That means you too
You say you want a leader
But you cant seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it
And let me guide you to the purple rain

[littleguitar]

My personal favorite...

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
When you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind


Despite the lyric "Sail on silver girl..." I still consider it gender neutral.  This song makes me cry every time

[ednbarby]

I love that one, too, Mandy.  Art Garfunkel's voice is so pure and beautiful - gives me chills every time.

[delalluvia]

If I had to go with Simon & Garfunkle, I would choose 'I am a Rock' as a good non-gender song:

A winters day
In a deep and dark december;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Ive built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
Its laughter and its loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Dont talk of love,
But Ive heard the words before;
Its sleeping in my memory.
I wont disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.

[vkm91941]

Ah Del I love that one too...I felt that way for a long time.   

[delalluvia]

Ah Del I love that one too...I felt that way for a long time.   

Me too, Vic. 

[ednbarby]

Here's another one I find kinda (OK, really) sexy. 

I Thank You ~ ZZ Top

You didn't have to love me like you did
But you did, but you did.
And I thank you.
You didn't have to love me like you did
But you did, but you did.
And I thank you.

If you took your love to someone else
I wouldn't know what it meant to be loved to death.
You made me feel like I've never felt
Kisses so good I had to holler for help.

You didnt have to squeeze it but you did
But you did, but you did
And I thank you.
You didnt have to hold it but you did
But you did, but you did
And I thank you.

Every day was something new,
You put on your bag and your fine to-do
You got me trying new things, too
Just so I can keep up with you.

You didnt have to shake it but you did
But you did, but you did
And I thank you.
You didnt have to make it like you did
But you did, but you did
And I thank you.

All my life I've been shortchanged
Without your love, baby, it's a crying shame
But now I know what the fellas are talking about
Hear me say that they've been turned out.

I want to thank you
I want to thank you
I want to thank you
Yes, I want to thank you.