“Got a phone call from RuPaul the other night. He gave me a big break in America and put me on The RuPaul Show. He’s just wonderful. A seven-foot-tall basketball-playing, black motherfucker — as if you’re ever going to get in the charts as a seven-foot drag queen! But he got to the top, and won acceptance in middle America. Why? Because he did it so damn well. If you do something that well, people can’t help but say, ‘You know what, that’s genius.’
“So I love RuPaul. Even without his make-up he’s a wonderful-looking man. But that’s drag, too — he’s in preppy drag. Because RuPaul’s a spirit and a soul – that’s why he can be both. He’s male and female, so he can be both – he’s just a spirit, so both sides are lovely.”
Pete Burns, Freak Unique (2006)
Hiiieee! Nice quote from the sadly Dead not Alive frontman but I think the subject of this listicle said it best when they uttered the immortal line “What other people think about me is none of my business.”
So, just between us squirrel friends, I’m sure you’ve worked out delectable drag queen has proved to the world they are the very epitome of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, as well as heaving drag culture into the mainstream and bringing respectful attention to individuals who choose to step outside of traditional gender roles.
This awesome Amazonian creature has created and presented a hugely successful and impactful long-running TV series, which has spawned 16 international franchises — including a highly successful UK version in collaboration with Aunty BBC — and boasted a glittering array of guest judges, from Lady Gaga and La Toya Jackson to Sam Smith and Jackie Collins. Yeah, Jackie.
On top of that, the media magnate has found the time to release 16 studio albums and various other soundtracks, compilations and remix albums and had a species of fly named after her. In 2019 Fortune magazine named her “the world’s most famous drag queen”.
Have you worked out who we’re celebrating yet? We are, of course, talking about RuPaul Andre Charles, now a rudely stunning 64 and showing no signs of slowing down either. Sickening, isn’t it!
Before RuPaul, drag was somewhat marginalised and not considered art, but rather something filthily provocative (hello Divine) or comedy farce (g‘day Dame Edna).
Not that elements of the farcical are not present in the queen of all drag queens’ hit show, RuPaul’s Drag Race, but still. Once largely underground, non-binary norms have been elevated to a level of high prestige that never would have existed without the sassy San Diegoan’s gumption. Bringing drag queenery to the binary masses, RuPaul taught us long ago that “you’re born naked and the rest is drag.”
As any RuFan will tell you, the tall one has been knocking out stellar dance pop for decades now — aeons before the show was even thought of. But if you’re finding yourself in need of a starter pack we’ve got you covered, as we run through a few rambunctious RuPaul bangers — from the legendary to the fierce to the underrated.
So, as the world goes to hell in a hand basket, grab your wig and let’s settle down for a Tic Tac lunch and spill some tea on these 10 tasty tracks and sashay the blues away. Shantay! (May contain spoilers).
Supermodel (You Better Work) (1992)
Where better to start than where it all began? Before all the presenter work, before all the Primetime Emmys (14 at time of writing), RuPaul was a struggling musician and actor whose first exposure to the big time came as a dancing extra in the video for The B-52s rollicking campathon Love Shack.
However, his own performing big break came with Supermodel, which reached number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 39 in the UK chart (on the day I turned 24 no less – Ed). The 45 also reached number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and is still RuPaul’s highest charting US single to this day. A handbag house stomper containing one of the many catchphrases that have become associated with both her music and screen work it’s not the last phrase she’s shoehorned into the public consciousness.
Entranced by its sleek, wink-wink wondrousness, Kurt Cobain cited Supermodel as one of his favourite songs of 1993. In one of the most incongruous photos ever seen, that same year the worlds of drag and grunge collided on the VMAs red carpet as RuPaul was seen holding a crying Frances Bean Cobain whilst father Kurt smiles alongside. The juxtaposition between the highly polished drag queen and the normality of the alternative rock pioneer indicated a level of acceptance that might not be recognised today.
Nirvana themselves were always socially conscious allies though, with pressings of 1992’s Incesticide album including the disclaimer “If any of you in any way hate homosexuals, people of different color, or women, please do this one favor for us—leave us the fuck alone! Don’t come to our shows and don’t buy our records.”
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (1993)
Most of you will probably be more familiar with Don’t Go Breaking My Heart via the 1976 team-up of Elton John and Kiki Dee, right? However, in 1993 legendary producer Giorgio Moroder was asked to helm a glittery dance remake for Elt’s Duets album. Sonically, very Pet Shop Boys-ish (Mad, Jam & Spoon are my words du jour – Ed), this disco delight reached seventh spot in Britain, giving Ru her best charting and only top 10 single to date. It also reached number three on the US Billboard Dance Club chart and even topped the charts in Iceland, of all places.
The video starts with a stilted acted piece between the two stars before breaking into a giddy poppers-enhanced beat. Unfortunately Ru’s voice has had some kind of effect added to it, which renders it virtually unrecognisable. This doesn’t detract though from the fact that it’s an absolute stomper guaranteed to fill the floor at any party.
The campy clip is also notable for the fact that Elton is more often than not sitting, or standing, on a box to make the height differential slightly less obvious, but he’s fooling no one at a minute and a half in where he’s actually taller than CleopatRu (see what I did there), though as “Sonny” and “Cher” the true difference is revealed.
A Little Bit Of Love (1996)
From here on in the music becomes undeniably interlinked with RuPaul’s Drag Race, in its various guises and franchises. Ru has managed to cleverly intertwine music into the competition element of the shows (with a lip sync used to either choose the loser or the winner of the week) and challenges either set to, or to rewrite her own songs.
A pair of credible counter store staples, A Little Bit Of Love and perhaps Rock It (To The Moon) are the rousing call to arms most strongly associated in my mind with the show, and if you’ve never misheard “to the moon” as “do the moves” what have you been watching? A remix of the former has been used on the Drag Race runway of UK Seasons 1 to 4, and in fact the top four from the Season 2 cast recorded their own verses as their final challenge.
This original recording, a Sister Act-ish stripped-back slice of euphoric pop from sophomore album Foxy Lady, didn’t set the charts on fire, as a matter of fact it didn’t do anything at all except to reach a middling 28 on the Billboard Dance chart. Indeed, such has been RuPaul’s impact on that niche club corner that they were named the 62nd top artist of all time, 1976-2016. But taking the TV show out of the equation, after Supermodel, this is the song that inevitably comes to mind when you think of the music.
Jealous Of My Boogie (2009)
This vibelicious stomper is actually my six year-old’s favourite RuPaul song, mainly because it’s got a great bum-wiggling rhythm and a very changeable last word. And to those who are horrified by the thought that a mere infant might know about female impersonators I’ve got even worse news, in this household drag is a family affair, with the nine year-old going googly-eyed over the pretty dresses on the runway and even the two t(w)eenage boys settling down to laugh at the often comical challenges, though not surprisingly they seem less interested in the fashion side of the proceedings.
Hilariously though, when I received a book about Mr Charles for my birthday in 2024 (RuPaul Little People BIG DREAMS), whilst reading it as a bedtime story to the girls it transpired that neither had realised that these flamboyant runways were created and performed by anyone other than women.
Lessons could be learned from this level of acceptance and not giving a shittery.
Never Go Home Again (2009)
RuPaul’s career has encompassed many different genres of music, which I suppose isn’t a huge surprise because I don’t think with her volume of output it would be possible if limited to disco stompers. We’ve had rock in the form of Born Naked and Glamazon (“All the boys say, ‘Welcome to the jungle!’”), Geronimo was a brief foray into drum ‘n’ bass, gospel reared its head in Can I Get An Amen? and 2023’s Everytime A Heartbeats is a SAW pastiche. We were even treated to a cornucopia of Christmas albums with Ho Ho Ho (1997), Slay Belles (2015) and Christmas Party (2018).
Funny story though, halfway through writing this I took a break to complete my daily Pet Shop Boys Heardle game but with my mind on this other artist. Upon hearing the first two seconds of Delusions Of Grandeur I couldn’t understand why it wouldn’t accept my answer of RuPaul’s The Main Event. Oops.
But anyway, remember what I said earlier about the state of the world? Well, if you ever want to put on a song and wallow in how awful this planet can be, and then how uplifting it is to find your found family, Mama Ru has got you covered with this one. A story of teenage runaways, unaccepted in their family homes who take flight and make the family they want and deserve. A sentiment I hope will be felt by all those who feel lost in the world right now.
With pathos-laden minor key verses and then an outro that soars with positive affirmations if this song doesn’t fill your heart with hope that things can get better I don’t know what will.
Oh No She Better Don’t (2014)
Framed as a rap battle between the puntastic Ru-Tang Clan and The Panty Hos (very Two Ronnies – Ed), this ShyBoy collab also featured extended cameos from each of the top nine queens in Season 6.
The myriad voices leave each and every RuGirl to shine whilst Ru pops up to sing the chorus and throw in some hip hop dancing, bedazzled with gold chains and an oversized ring reading “Mo Money”. A stuttering record scratch sets the urban rhythm and tone from the beginning.
Oddly, two of the verses mention feet, I can only presume that the esteemed owner of this website must approve, especially with Courtney Act cunningly swerving the obvious rhyme for “Lookin’ like this is a goddamn stunt” with “All you other bitches better lick my… foot”.
Sissy That Walk (2014)
This song, from seventh set Born Naked, was used for the runway segment on the sixth season of Drag Race, and such was its popularity among the fandom and presumably the titular judge, that it was reused in Season 7, the first time this had happened.
The accompanying video was another featuring the queens of Season 6, though this time wholly sung by Ru and featuring lip syncing by the top four, although how Darienne Lake made it this far over BenDeLaCreme (or Creminem as she dubbed herself in the previous song) is a mystery that I feel will last through the ages.
Using a sample, or is it an interpolation?, from Nicki Minaj’s 2012 Pound The Alarm, this has a heavy driving dance vibe with the crescendo of an electronic drumbeat taking you into the final chorus that leaves you as high as the words entice you to.
Possibly the funniest moment of this episode though, during the filming of the video, was Adore Delano’s horror that Darienne had stolen her move for the “My pussy is on fire/Now kiss the flame” line, which was ultimately taken by Ru for the finished product. In the words of Tayce: “The cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity, and the gumption!”
Read U Wrote U (2016)
The library is open because reading is what? Fundamental.
Fun fact: this was my third most streamed song in 2022 according to Spotify and is still my second favourite RuPaul song, beaten only by the tenth spot on this listicle.
This is another one featuring a top four, this time a quartet of queens from All Stars Season 2, namely Roxxxy Andrews, Katya, Detox and Alaska. Again, another performance that the judges and viewers alike really enjoyed and as you watched it you could tell it was something awesome.
The feisty four also re-filmed it from their respective houses during the 2020 Covid quarantine complete with a rendition of the iconic chairs, fans, and books, choreographies and the drop on the X of “D to the E to the T to the O to the, hold it, X”.
American (2017)
The title track of album number 11, this 2016 project was released to coincide with the premiere of the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was influenced by the US Presidential Election where Donald Trump became POTUS for the first time by defeating Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady who Ru had strongly endorsed calling her “powerful, persuasive, brilliant, and resilient”.
In a way, this coruscating cut feels like a James Bond-like blunt instrument, hammering home the battle worn concept of the American dream and that everyone should be welcomed and free to live their lives as they wish — a feeling ramped up further with the patriotic lyrics of a Season 10 remix. But given the President at that time it feels very prescient that any weapon in their arsenal should be used to fight for equality.
RuPaul has always been outspoken on political points, even using his 2019 Emmy for Outstanding Host for Reality or Competition Programme acceptance speech to urge viewers to vote in the 2020 Presidential election. And intermittently over the past decade after the elimination portion of the TV show the remaining contestants have held up signs encouraging natives to register to vote.
Historically, turnout of younger and LGBTQ+ voters has been low. Kamala Harris, less than a week after announcing running for President in July 2024, appeared on the season finale of Drag Race All Stars Season 10 with an important political message: “Each day we are seeing our rights and freedoms under attack, including the right of everyone to be who they are, love who they love, openly and with pride. So as we fight back against these attacks, let’s all remember: No one is alone. We are all in this together. And your vote is your power.”
This appearance seemed to be a pretty effective gambit as according to NBC News exit poll Harris led then President-elect Trump 86% to 12% among LGBTQ+ voters, unfortunately this didn’t lead to a sensible result. NB It also wasn’t the first time a politician had appeared on the show with Justin Trudeau, 23rd Prime Minister of Canada, being the first world leader to appear in the Werkroom in 2022’s Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs The World.
UK Hun? (2021)
I don’t think any article about RuPaul could get away without mentioning Drag Race UK Season 2, widely regarded as one of its strongest seasons. Stuffed with a phenomenally solid cast and packed full of quotable lines, the highlight had to be United Kingdolls performing UK Hun? as part of The RuRuVision Song Contest challenge.
In a group comprised of A’Whora, Tayce, Bimini Bon-Boulash and eventual series winner Lawrence Chaney (and if you didn’t read that in Ru’s fake Scottish accent can you even claim to have ever watched any Drag Race?), everything fell together perfectly. The words, the costumes (no fucking H&M here!) and choreography lead to the obvious enjoyment of the judges as they watched.
This enthusiasm was obviously felt by the public too and, amazingly, on 25 February 2021 UK Hun? entered the UK top 40 at 27. Two years prior The Frock Destroyers had also managed reach number 35 with their Season 1 anthem Break Up Bye Bye, thus is the power of a catchy song and a national platform.
All together now “Bing bang bong/Sing sang song/Ding dang dong/UK Hun?”
Catwalk (2022)
In which RuPaul goes trance and we reach my favourite song on the list. With a beautiful cascading beginning and our glorious Amazonian shown un-wigged behind the camera in the video, looking as gorgeous as he’s ever looked, directing the Season 14 queens, Angeria, Bosco, Daya Betty, Lady Camden, and Willow Pill, this is a chilled out morning after vibe song.
Not only that, but ultimate season winner Willow sums up my mantra on life perfectly with their cutting line “Cute, absurd and a touch of ugly, I celebrate life let’s pour the bubbly”.
So, in an age where freedom of speech and expression is being eroded at every turn sometimes we just need to dance. And if you can’t love yourself how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?
Can I get an amen?
Catherine Walters
