Chaka Khan Forgets Most of the Lyrics to 'It's Raining Men' on Letterman: VIDEO
Thankfully, Chaka Khan can still make unintelligible sounds that are still amazing, because her recognition of the lyrics to “It’s Raining Men” is certainly not.
Still, a “delightful” performance, as Dave describes it. A delightful disaster.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
Andy Towle
Tweet: Survey Shows Striking Increase in Americans Who Know and Support Transgender People
Ryan Phillippe Comes Out Again — Uncut
The blond heartthrob lets his bisexual bad boy freak flag fly in 54: The Director’s Cut.
Adam Sandel
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/film/2015/04/22/ryan-phillippe-comes-out-again-uncut
Gay Singer-Songwriter Aiden Leslie On His New Video, 'I Just Go,' And The Future Of His Musical Journey
Aiden Leslie has always aimed to forge a new path for male performers in dance music, a genre traditionally dominated by divas.
The 38-year-old singer-songwriter, who is openly gay, made a name for himself on the New York nightlife circuit with singles like “Worlds Away” and “Nobody Said.” Now, he’s taking a more soulful approach with his latest song and music video, “I Just Go.”
The tune, which Leslie describes as his most personal work to date, is very much an uptempo, string-driven ballad, particularly when compared to the EDM-tinged “bangerz” that dominate dance floors these days. Released earlier this month, the cinematic video for the song was filmed mostly in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with its splashy beach sequences shot in Breezy Point, New York.
The hunky performer, who aims to follow up the song with a summer tour and a full-length album, was refreshingly candid in a recent chat with The Huffington Post, discussing his new music, his ideal date, out stars in the music industry and his plans for the future.
Congrats on the release of your new song and video, “I Just Go.” What’s the inspiration behind the new song?
Thank you so much! When I wrote this song, I was probably at one of my lowest moments…I was running with the wrong crowd, partying a lot, having probably too much fun. I was lost. It was definitely a jet-set type of lifestyle that lots of people from the outside would think was fabulous, and it was! But it took its toll on me spiritually. I was searching for lots of things, and in all the wrong places. So I dug deep and wrote about it, and by doing that, it healed me.
“I think it’s sexy when somebody goes for it. That’s impressive to me.”
You’ve got a super-cute costar [Rafaele Rivera] in this video. What does a man have to do to impress Aiden Leslie? What’s the biggest turn-on in a prospective date?
I like when a person is direct and says what they want. That might scare some people and perhaps at one point in my life, myself. But now I think it’s sexy when somebody goes for it. That’s impressive to me. So many guys dance around things, and it’s so tiring. I like a man! That will get my attention. Also, if you smell good, I’m already in halfway (laughs). That’s a good starting point.
The video for the song traces the arc of a relationship. What do you see as its ultimate message?
The video definitely illustrates a relationship from a literal standpoint, but it’s more of a metaphor for the song. There are lots of layers. I went to many things to numb the pain, and the relationship was one of those things. If you look at the lyrics, they are on the dark side: “I could care/Should care/But I just go.” It’s that universal thing of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. So many choices were before me and I chose things that were not serving me. In the bridge of the song I write, “Running down this path with my eyes closed searching for the truth.” I didn’t want to see the truth, so I chose to keep going no matter what…a survival technique, one I think most of us can identify with.
Interestingly, you mention that this is one of the first songs you ever wrote. Why did the timing feel right to release it now?
It was one of very first songs that I ever wrote. It was a long-form artistic kind of electronica demo. It was slow and ambient. After a while, we thought, let’s change it up into a dance mix and it received some notice. Then I just put it away for a few years. But I always loved it. I would perform it at shows around the country. About a year and a half ago, I did an acoustic show at The Cutting Room here in New York City. I just played it on a guitar and it got a really good response, and I thought, Let’s re-think this and do it like a full single and video with of course, remixes! I think this track is written where it works any way you decide to do it. It felt time to talk about this time in my life.
“I think it’s so exciting to see the industry embracing out artists. It’s about time, right?”
In recent years, pop music’s lineup of out stars has grown to include stars like Adam Lambert, Frank Ocean and Sam Smith. As an artist, where do you see yourself fitting into this landscape? Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
Whenever you get into this industry you have to always remember there is room for everybody and I think it’s so exciting to see the industry embracing out artists. It’s about time, right? We all have something to say and it’s unique because we’re artists. That’s the beauty of it, really. I love inventive, soulful lyrics paired with catchy, simple melodies. Top 40 pop music — that’s what I love. I love great songwriters like Prince, Lenny Kravitz, George Michael. Also, Natalie Merchant, Jewel and, of course, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kelly Clarkson and Pink.
Is a full-length album in the works?
Yes, it has been for a while now. But I want it to be right when I do it. We live in a 15-second world these days. It seems people’s attention spans are pretty thin. So I think it’s easy for things to get lost in today’s world. It breaks my heart when artists put out 15-20 tracks and the consumer clicks on two and trashes the rest after a five-minute search on iTunes. I see it all the time. So I want to make the best impact for now. There is nothing better than going on a journey with an album, but it’s an art that’s less noticed and appreciated.
What’s next for Aiden Leslie?
I’m trying to not think too much on what the future holds. But I work. It’s who I am. And I must create. With that said, we’re booking a lot of shows for the summer and getting ready to release my largest remix package on May 5. And, of course, the music will always continue, always.
This interview has been edited and condensed for style and length.
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Emotional Pop Culture Supercut Of Road To Marriage Equality Includes 'Golden Girls' And 'Glee': VIDEO
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has posted a video tracking pop culture’s journey towards same-sex marriage.
The ACLU filed the first freedom-to-marry lawsuit in the United States in 1970. 45 years later they are at the Supreme Court to fight to win the freedom to marry for couples in all 50 states.
Backed by Tegan & Sara’s “Closer,” the video, which may bring a tear to the eye, includes clips from Thirtysomething, Longtime Companion, The Kids Are All Right, Roseanne, Glee, ER, Orange is the New Black, Will and Grace, In & Out, Transparent, The Wire, The Golden Girls, The Real World, Northern Exposure, Friends, The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, and The Birdcage.
Watch the video, AFTER THE JUMP…
Jim Redmond
An Unlikely Lesbian Brought These Gay Boys Together
Dano and Mike share an insatiable love for k.d. lang and for each other.
Aaron Drake
Jon Stewart Finds Out What Happens When A GOP Candidate Is Invited To A Gay Wedding
The question of the day for GOP presidential hopefuls appears to be: “Would you attend a gay wedding?” And Jon Stewart is having a blast with their uncomfortable answers.
“This campaign boils down to, ‘Who do you trust to pick up the phone at 3 a.m. and RSVP to a gay wedding?'” Stewart said on Tuesday night’s “Daily Show.”
On the other hand, this climate is dramatically different from the 2012 campaign cycle, when much of the talk among Republican candidates was about banning gay marriage rather than attending same-sex wedding ceremonies.
“Republicans can no longer dismiss gay marriage out of hand,” Stewart said. “They must engage the question.”
While some GOP candidates have said they would attend a gay wedding for loved ones even if they don’t support gay marriage, Rick Santorum said he wouldn’t go to one. But, Santorum insisted he would still “love and support” the couple anyway.
“I know you don’t want to redefine the word ‘marriage,’ but it does appear you want to redefine the words ‘love’ and ‘support,’” Stewart said. “Santorum doesn’t want to attend the wedding, that’s fine; he’ll be there on the wedding night.”
That last crack was a reference to Santorum’s well-documented “Google problem,” and Stewart warned viewers: “Don’t Google that.”
Check out the clip above for more on what “The Daily Show” is calling “The Invitation Game.”
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Pastor slams LGBTIs, claims they're driving Christian tourists from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Town turning into ‘Gay Capital of the Ozarks – it should be a family vacation destination’ he adds
jamiet
PHOTOS: Hunky Dads Strip Down To Their Unmentionables For A Good Cause
Seattle got into their unmentionables to step out and show off! This was first iteration of a monthly underwear fundraiser, to be held every third Saturday of the month at CC’s. All proceeds from the inaugural night go to Cheer Seattle’s Cheer for Life Fund, so thanks to everyone who showed off their goodies for charity!
Scroll down for a sampling of pictures from the night and peruse the full gallery at GayCities…
Photo credit: Matt Baume
Graham Gremore
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