The Philadelphia Phillies face off against the San Diego Padres today in game three of a best-of-seven series to determine the National League champions and secure a spot in the 2022 World Series.
Currently tied at one win each, the stakes for these teams couldn’t be higher. But depending on who you ask, there’s another Phillies drama brewing that’s even more significant. It even has a catchy slogan: “Justice for Robyn.”
The Phillies have adopted the song “Dancing on My Own” in the locker room and bullpen ever since catcher Garrett Stubs added it to a poppy, Dua Lipa-heavy team playlist. The track has since become a full-fledged playoff anthem, and now it’s even being blasted twice a day in Rittenhouse Square Park as a public rallying cry for the Phils.
Related: WATCH: Baseball player’s butt steals the show and the Internet can’t get enough
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“Dancing on My Own” was the lead single from Swedish pop icon Robyn’s 2010 album Body Talk, and tells a story of unrequited love that’s still somehow impossible not to dance to. Despite it being about heterosexual heart break, the song will forever hold its own in the annals of gay anthems, and don’t try to tell us otherwise.
“Gay culture has always had to embody outsidership. I think we’re all just scared to be lonely. We all want to be loved and we all want to be seen,” Robyn told Out in 2011. “When you’re different on a very basic level, that feeling is going to be with you more often than someone who doesn’t have to face what being an outsider is really like. I think it’s a song about being on the outside — very physically — and if it feels like a gay anthem then I take that as a super compliment.”
Related: 5 gay anthems turning 20 this year
So what’s the big problem? Well, rather than playing Robyn’s flawless track, the Phillies have opted for Tiësto’s 2016 remix of a Calum Scott cover, leading to some confusion about the song’s origins. (Also, it’s just not as good.) We repeat, “Justice for Robyn.”
Local journalist Billy Penn shared a screenshot of an email that attributed the song to Scott:
INBOX: "Dancing on My Own" will play on loudspeakers in Rittenhouse Square at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. daily #RingTheBell #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/7XuT5aglny
— Billy Penn (@billy_penn) October 19, 2022
Is it the most pressing issue of the moment? Of course not! But since it’s common knowledge (or it should be) not to get between queer folks and their favorite divas, it’s led to some pretty great responses.
Here are some of the best:
Me, 2 blocks away, closing my window if it’s not Robyn’s version https://t.co/jsbnrxPntX pic.twitter.com/C5kOWHGfYs
— Austin (@shokboi94) October 19, 2022
This is Robyn erasure dammit
— Matt Amis (@ReluctantViking) October 19, 2022
This version is such bullshit. In fact it’s such bullshit I refuse to give it any attention. As far as I’m concerned, there is only one version. Robyn pic.twitter.com/L94bEN6dBY
— mig_dig (@Mig_Dig) October 19, 2022
Please. Stop with Calum. It’s a @robynkonichiwa song and her version bangs and is much better. Calum is soft on purpose, the boys need to go harder. At least give her credit. I cringe when you say Calum’s song…..ugh
— Eddie Miller (@PhillyEddie) October 20, 2022
Listen, they need to get on board with the original Robyn version. It’s a banger.
— Steph Steph Steph (@SMT_7788) October 19, 2022
What the fuck remix bullshit is that? Play the Robyn original you cowards
— BenVC (@BenVC) October 19, 2022
IT’s a ROBYN SONG PLAY THE ROBYN VERSION
— David (@notdavidcelli) October 20, 2022
UMMM should be ROBYN’S version please.
— Leanne (@leleinphilly) October 19, 2022
Seriously? 😂😂
— K👁 (@ProcessCmplt76) October 19, 2022
That’s a good version but @robynkonichiwa deserves a lot more exposure and credit for having the best and original
— James (@lordhamlet73) October 19, 2022
Should be the Robyn version
— quality (@salm0njar) October 19, 2022
We’ll leave you with the only version of “Dancing on My Own” that matters (you can find that other version here if you really must), and we hope the Phillies are listening:
WillParkinson
At least Callum Scott is gay. Both versions are great, even if they’re very different. Don’t denigrate one to serve another.
GayTampaCowboy
AMEN!
galileo
The non-remix version that Callum did is a good cover, essentially the one he sang when he won that reality TV talent content show, Robyn’s has the edge, even with Callum singing in a Yorkshire accent!
Digby70
So let me get this…um, straight. You’re going to slam the version done by the gay man singing about a guy in favor of the straight girl singing about a guy. “Despite it being about heterosexual heart break, the song will forever hold its own in the annals of gay anthems, and don’t try to tell us otherwise.” I’m not one to deny an original artist their due but it’s not her version they are playing. And, I’m sorry, but shouldn’t the story in a queer magazine be lauding the fact that a major league baseball team has as its anthem a song sung by a gay artist with a gay theme?
galileo
Even that shite remix though? Not sold on oh it’s better because it’s gay, I leave that for people that define themselves by their sexuality.
bachy
Callum’s cover is too…. mournful. Robyn’s driving, upbeat original is better suited to rallying athletes to a winning season!
Mr2u
Yes, the original is more upbeat and dancy, and the Callum Scott version slower, mournful. In both versions though, and maybe its just my early senior ears, I keep hearing them both sing, “I’m not the guy you’re taking home.” Dance to the original but in the back of your mind hear the straight man crush sorrow many have at some time felt in our lives. As for the Phillies, well good on them for inadvertently reaching out to all those gay lads watching them play. Personally, much prefer the Scott version. Not just because he is gay. Because its a slow song for us knees, hips and back challenged dancers. 🙂
tjack47
I like both. I saw Robyn sing it on Graham Norton first time I heard it. I adore Callum Scott’s cover, because I think the arrangement is more suited to the lyrics. What I really don’t care for is sports, especially baseball. It’s like watching golf for 3 days on television.
Thad
The Phillies have many gay fans. The Pride Night special tickets sold out this season. I went but had to do without the promotional item! My vote is for Robyn, too.
JED08
I like both versions, they’re very different, but Robyn’s is my clear favorite.
ShiningSex
they both suck. awful music!
mf12345678
The Boston Red Sox did the same thing last October. The New York Times had an article about it. “Why Are the Boston Red Sox Singing ‘Dancing on My Own’?”
nitejonboy
Omg get an F’ING life !! One of them is gay and the other is a huge ally, so what’s the big F’ING deal ??! This is why the straights think we cause nothing but drama, because we do!!! What’s next: if they play the famous remix of “ Tom’s Diner “ you bitches are Gonna say it’s not Suzanne Vegas original ??! Oh wait, she’s on both versions. Just quit it bitches..let a good thing be a good thing ( though the proper creator of a song should always be credited In shoutouts )
ShiningSex
So the point is that they bad taste in music.
kdudley
I wish people would get off Calum’s back about this. This isn’t the first time that a cover version of a song has eclipsed the original in popularity. I love Robyn’s version, and no disrespect to her, but I think Calum’s version is more popular because, frankly, he’s a better singer. Robyn’s version of the song had its moment and ran its course. Calum has given the song a second life, not to mention lots of royalty money to Robyn, and introduced her to new fans who hadn’t heard of her before.