Photo: Jussy

We all have those songs that are forever ingrained in our coming-of-age stories. Songs that gave us hope, played during our first kiss, helped us feel fierce, or simply helped us understand ourselves a little bit better. This is oftentimes particularly true for LGBTQ artists.

Throughout the month of June, and only on PRIDE, LGBTQ+ artists are curating and sharing playlists that reflect their formative years—their Soundtracks of Pride. 

Jesse Saint John is a pop singer-songwriter who has written for Britney Spears, Lizzo, Camila Cabello, Charli XCX, and Sia.

"I came out around 2010 which is pretty late," Saint John told PRIDE. "I had a lot of internalized homophobia and I dealt with a lot of bullying (I know I’m not unique, haha). So my playlist has a lot of anger, but also cockiness cuz I was finally owning a huge part of myself. Also, I lost my virginity to "Heads Will Roll" so I think it’s the gayest song ever."

Check out Jesse's playlist below!

And for the rest of the Soundtracks of Pride series, click here. Jesse Saint John's new EP, don't stop dancing. life gets sad., is out now!