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Did you have a favorite LGBTQ-themed song or video last year?
Thinking back on 2025 brings to mind my favorite music video, based on the song Swing For The Fences from the Elton John & Brandi Carlile album "Who Believe in Angels." I'd heard the song any number of times, but it wasn't till I saw the music video that it really clicked.
It's released on the Elton John's channel, so you know it's a video interpretation that he endorses, and while the song was composed as an anthem for LGBTQ youth, the music video adds an entirely new dimension with its pathos. The dancer is wonderful and physically responds to and expresses the vibe of the song, while also manifesting the anguish of his circumstance. The tension between them is almost painful...as is the case with so many LGBTQ youth.
It resolves to a happy ending. Hope you like it if you're not familiar with the video. It's worth reading what Elton and Brandi had to say about the song, and the lyrics, before watching the video.
Elton John:
I had an idea that I wanted the album to sound powerful and energized. I wanted Brandi to stretch out more on her vocals and write songs that would do that. And she did that with "Swing for the Fences." Brandi is taking the lead and I'm doing the harmonies. I found that difficult. I've never done that before. This album is all about harmonies. It's not just one line here, one line there. It's a proper duet record.
Brandi Carlile:
This song was probably my first musical idea for Who Believes in Angels? I wanted this anthem for young LGBTQIA+ people so that they can see these other two generations of queers, just kind of like winning. 'Swing For The Fences' was a little gem I took into the studio with me: I'm a gay woman, Elton's a gay man and we both have families, and our dreams have come true. I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to write an anthem for young gay kids out there that calls them into a bigger, more elegant, more fabulous life. Just like 'go, go! Don't let anything hold you back!'
Lyrics written by Brandi Carlisle, Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Go on and swing for the fences
Take a shot at the moon
A dandelion that dances
Takes chances and fancies every little light in the room
Don't hold your shoulders like a high school dance
A white flag holder in a hopeless romance
Red light kids crossing over the line
Breaking step with the times driving cars through the signs
Be a heartbeat cannon in a quiet spot
A white picket fence in a parking lot
It's a long game and they're gonna tell you it's not
They're high-five dodgers
And baby, they don't deserve you
Beautiful you
They got nothing on you
Yeah, I'm talking to you
Get out of the blue
They got nothing on you
Go on and swing for the fences
Alright
Take a shot at the moon
A dandelion that dances
Takes chances and fancies every little light in the room
Be a heartbeat cannon in a quiet spot
A white picket fence in a parking lot
It's a long game and they're gonna tell you it's not
They're high-five dodgers
And baby, they don't deserve you
Beautiful you
They got nothing on you
Yeah, I'm talking to you
Get out of the blue
They got nothing on you
Ah, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh
Ah, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh
Ah, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh
Ah, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh
Ah, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh
Ah, ah, ah
You Tube link to Swing For The Fences: https://youtu.be/leISSzplQmg?si=KtxIOEf84e8c3qOg
All that said, there's also a video about the making of the album, all shot inside Elton John's studio where they rehearsed and recorded. It's really good too.
Making of the album video: https://youtu.be/g5zApLvfvPs?si=KFnW7NKLFzyuH0tN
Share your favorites with us all!
Bensiamin
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