In 1944, Judy Garland enchanted audiences with “The Trolley Song” in the musical film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Back then, the song was just a vibrant Technicolor moment in cinema, when “gay” meant happy, rainbows were just a weather phenomenon, and trolleys were simply a mode of transportation. Fast forward almost 80 years, and this song has found new life as an unexpected anthem for LGBTQ Pride.

This year, “The Trolley Song” has been embraced by young queer people who love Judy Garland’s powerful vocal performance and the song’s campy, fun atmosphere. Social media buzz has been filled with playful and enthusiastic tributes to the song. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Happy pride month to Judy Garland in the trolley song. And also to the trolley.” Another proclaimed, “There’s no pride month without the trolley song.”

Fans are even hoping to see “The Trolley Song” featured as a lip-sync challenge on the next season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Others dream of club-ready remixes to dance to during Pride events. One fan compared it to Sabrina Carpenter’s summer hit “Espresso,” imagining it as a frothy, joyful track perfect for Pride playlists.

At first glance, “The Trolley Song” might not seem like an obvious choice for a Pride anthem. It doesn’t have the explicit LGBTQ themes of Judy Garland’s more famous “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” Nor does it reflect the strong connection Garland had with her gay fans during her live performances in the later years of her career. However, the song’s upbeat tempo, catchy lyrics, and onomatopoeic charm (“clang, clang, clang” and “zing, zing, zing”) resonate deeply with the LGBTQ community today.

Embraced by Fans

Dave Karger, a host on Turner Classic Movies who often presents movie musicals, including “Meet Me in St. Louis,” has noted the song’s appeal. “The tempo, the lyrics, phonetic imitations –– it’s all super gay,” Karger said, highlighting why the song fits so well with Pride celebrations.

Patrick Kelleher, a social justice organizer in Ireland, has noticed the song’s resurgence among his online circles. He even declared it “this year’s Pride anthem.” Kelleher finds it thrilling that a song that has brought him joy for many years is now resonating with a new generation of LGBTQ individuals. “As someone who has been obsessing over this song for more than a decade, I’m so glad it’s getting all this renewed attention,” he said. “If ‘The Trolley Song’ came on at a Pride event, I think the crowd would go wild.”

The iconic scene featuring “The Trolley Song” begins with Judy Garland’s character, Esther Smith, feeling down because her love interest hasn’t joined her on the trolley. But when she spots him running to catch up, the song picks up, reflecting Esther’s growing excitement. With lyrics like “‘Clang, clang, clang’ went the trolley, ‘ding, ding, ding’ went the bell, ‘zing, zing, zing’ went my heartstrings — from the moment I saw him, I fell!” Garland’s performance is full of joy and excitement.

A Drag Queen’s Favorite

The song’s charm has not faded over the decades. Young Helper, a well-known New York-based drag queen, has been performing “The Trolley Song” for ten years. Whenever she takes the stage in her high-collar costume inspired by Esther’s outfit, the audience reacts with excitement and joy. “People are like, ‘Oh my God, is she doing ‘The Trolley Song’? Oh my God, is she coming out like that?’ And it’s a familiarity you want to give people,” Turner shared. She calls it “respectable camp,” perfectly capturing the song’s enduring appeal.

“The Trolley Song” has become a symbol of joy and resilience within the LGBTQ community. Its unexpected rise as a Pride anthem highlights the power of music and nostalgia in bringing people together. The song’s renewed popularity shows how classics can find new meanings and touch new hearts, becoming part of the vibrant tapestry of LGBTQ culture.

Judy Garland’s “The Trolley Song” is more than just a catchy tune from a bygone era. It’s a testament to how timeless music can be embraced by new generations, gaining fresh significance along the way. As it plays at Pride events and inspires joyful social media posts, “The Trolley Song” reminds us that sometimes the most unexpected things can bring us together and fill our hearts with pride.