Today marks the anniversary of iconic drag performer Divine’s death. The larger-than-live queer personality passed away on March 7, 1988 at the age of 42, just three weeks after the nationwide release of her film Hairspray.
In addition to appearing in over a dozen movies during her lifetime, Divine, whose real name was Harris Glenn Milstead, released a number of studio albums and singles, as well.
Her 1984 song “You Think You’re A Man” was written by Geoff Deane, who would later write the 2005 film Kinky Boots, which would then be turned into a Broadway musical by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein in 2013. It was originally intended for Gloria Gaynor, but ended up becoming one of Divine’s biggest hits instead.
Related: About that time Divine played a crime lord…
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To promote the single, Divine appeared on Top of the Pops on July 19, 1984 in the UK. Her high energy performance reportedly resulted in “thousands” of complaints from angry (read: homophobic) viewers who were outraged by the “fat lady” their children had been exposed to that evening, calling the whole thing “disgusting” and “obscene.”
Nevertheless, “You Think You’re A Man” went on to reach the UK Top 75 chart, peaking at number 16, and it remains one of Divine’s most popular songs to this day. In addition to being covered by the band Full Frontal and singer Tim Campbell, it was featured on Queer as Folk and It’s a Sin.
Watch Divine’s “obscene” TOTP performance below which, by today’s standards, actually seems pretty tame.
While you’re here, check out the music video for her song “Walk Like A Man”, which was released in 1985 and features a sample from Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”.
powersthatbe
Still an absolute tuuuuune!
Huron132
The 80’s were absolutely a beautiful time for diversity in music. Every song there was a story and someone who was an original. I’m so glad I grew up at that time and will always say that it was the decade of great original unique music.
Jeffrey-effrey-effrey
I concur !
Polaro
Divine couldn’t sing, but she sure could perform. Shame Glenn died so young just as he was on the cusp of the cross over success he had wanted.
TimidTim
How could you leave out the most famous of the covers by one of Kurt Cobain’s faves the Vaselines? I’m guessing cause they had that song celebrating barebacking in Rory Rides Me Raw which at the time seemed insanely inappropriate.
Jaquelope
Could it be because the article was about Divine, and not about the Vaselines?
greekboy
For those of you who missed the 80’s, it truly was a time of unbridled sex, drugs, and rock n roll…until the black fog of AIDS rolled in and took so many of the best and brightest. I lost, virtually, every friend I had, and I miss them terribly
Jeffrey-effrey-effrey
Baltimoron here. In 1985 Divine played the largest gay club in B’more. I was wrecked when all these judgmental queens just stood there with folded arms. I can only imagine what was going through Divine’s mind. Hell of a homecoming. Oh yeah…..I was crossing the street in downtown B’more circa 1981 and Divine was driving stoned AND she almost ran me over…..driving a monstrous Cadillac. She loved the ganja ! Gr8 fun !
scotty
icon and diva, epitome of both. RIP
Den
I had the pleasure of meeting Glenn several times (out of drag) in the late 70’s very early 80’s . I was a buyer/asst. manager at a nursery in SF, and he was a big plant lover who would stop in when he was in town for projects. He was surprisingly reserved, but friendly; a huge contrast to his drag persona. He would likely have gone on to be both a mainstream celebrity and a character actor out of drag, as was his desire.
inbama
So much more entertaining than that Sam Smith drivel in the plagiarism article.