Olly Alexander, Polari | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 85th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight the song, “Polari” performed by Olly Alexander (Years & Years).

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”P” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]repare to beam with P-R-I-D-E 🏳️‍🌈! Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musician(s) and analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome while the songs can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the 85^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight “Polari” performed by Olly Alexander (Years & Years).[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

“Tell me something / Say what you gotta say / Tell me something / Talk to me / Polari.” Woo! Um, what you mean though, Olly Alexander (Years & Years)? Polari is described as the ‘lost language of gay men’.  Understanding the meaning gives some context to the brief but intriguing single, “Polari”. Gay slang is the stuff, and Olly gives it a unique shout-out via song. Notably, David Bowie used Polari on “Girl Loves Me”, the fifth track from his final studio album, Blackstar. “Polari” is the opener from his 2025 album, Polari.  Alexander penned “Polari” alongside producer Danny L Harle. The musical accompaniment is bright and ear-catching (Harle plays the instruments). Oh, the beauty of synthesizers!

The chorus, excerpted above, is the main attraction of “Polari.” As always, Olly Alexander sings beautifully with the voice of an angel.  Beyond the chorus, there is a verse that provides a bit more insight.  Insight might be an overstatement, but that wildness of the lyrics seems unpredictable intentionally:

“Everyone’s saying something

Like saying something is saying something

But they’re saying nothing ‘cause they got nothing

They’re just taking my time and taking my space.”

Word… I think! The big takeaway from the engaging “Polari”: S-P-E-A-K, and don’t let them take away your shine, time, or space! Three cheers for Polari!

Olly Alexander // Polari // Universal Music Operations Limited // 2025

Olly Alexander, Polari: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 85 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Universal Music Operations Limited; Elias Souza, Los Muertos Crew from Pexels; CatsWithGlasses, David, Maicon Fonseca Zanco, Square Frog, Sudo from Pixabay]