Ruth Wallis, Queer Things | Throwback Vibez

In the 86^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we reflect on “Queer Things” by novelty and cabaret singer Ruth Wallis.

Can you feel those vibes, those surefire Throwback Vibez?! Throwback Vibez is a recurring column devoted to celebrating incredible songs from the past. There is truly nothing like a classic oldie to energize and put you in a great mood! The selections featured in this column highlight musical gems from the 20^th century, though there are occasional exceptions. All genres are welcome, ensuring something for every musical taste. In the 86^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we reflect on “Queer Things” performed by Ruth Wallis.

👀 So, in the song “Queer Things”, novelty/cabaret singer Ruth Wallis (Ruth Shirley Wohl, 1920 – 2007) married a queer man? Apparently. “Oh no / Say it cannot be / Queer things are happening to me.” Queer, huh? Backtracking, the dead giveaway from the first set of lyrics excerpted is pansy, which is a derogatory, homophobic slur.  Though, like other slurs, pansy is being reappropriated by some members of the LGBTQ+ community. “Queer Things” was recorded by Wallis around 1953.  It appears as the opener from her 1998 greatest hits album, Boobs.  What a title, right?

“Queer Things” is something else. How you perceive the song depends on who you are. While I advise taking it with a grain of salt, that won’t be everybody’s take, regardless of how they identify sexually. Even if you take Wallis’ song with a grain of salt, the controversy is undeniable. “A boy is supposed to be a boy,” for example, suggests boys are a monolith and expected to act a certain way. It’s an old-fashioned, stereotypical perspective regarding gender roles.  Wallis goes on to cry foul and/or poke fun about the fact “He still wears those pink chemise.” While that could still be considered taboo in the 2020s, particularly by the most heterosexual cis men, isn’t that the man’s choice to wear what he wants, despite what society may think? What would Wallis make of men wearing crop tops? There is even more queerness per Ruth.  He uses her curlers, has lipstick on his tie, but not because of another woman – “so it must be a guy.” This, of course is a tragedy – “Que’lle tragédie.” Wallis says plenty of other questionable things, including “His name is Chris it ought to be Christine,” “He’s never been to Gay Paris / But he’s as gay as he can be,” “His friends are sweet, they’re queer as Band / They’re turning my home into a fairy land,” “They knew he liked the best man better than the bride,” and capping things off with, “But the both of us / Have gotta get a man.” Wow.  So, what does one make of Ruth Wallis’ “Queer Things”? Polarizing, perhaps even more so with the cutesy way she sings it.  Something else, indeed!

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Ruth Wallis » Boobs » Ruth Wallis » 1998

Ruth Wallis, Queer Things: Throwback Vibez No 86 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Ruth Wallis; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, schubinger from Pixabay]

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