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24th Aug 2021

It’s Raining Men changed to It’s Raining Them in gender neutral edit

Kieran Galpin

“Cool, bold, strong and keen, proud and loud and here and seen.”

Just when you thought you couldn’t make a queer song queerer, transgender artist Mila Jam enters the room, clad in silver, sequins, and ready to serve you the Queer anthem of the year.

32-year-old singer, songwriter, dancer, and activist Mila Jam has put her own spin on the club classic ‘It’s raining men’.

Besides minor wording changes, the essence of the song has remained the same.

The word ‘men’ has become ‘them’ in the title and lyrics, and ‘tall, blond, dark and lean, rough and tough and strong and mean’ has become ‘cool, bold, strong and keen, proud and loud and here and seen.’

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSxYM3OsQgb/

The line ‘God bless mother nature, she’s a single woman too’ is changed to ‘God bless mother mature, they’re a single person too.’

The writer of the original song, Paul Shaffer, has backed the change which was supported by streaming platform Deezer for World Pride Month.

But Shaffer wasn’t the only star to commend Mila for her incredible cover. The iconic Geri Halliwell, now Horner, took to Instagram to celebrate the song.

“This is about inclusion and freedom to be yourself, always,” the Spice Girl said via Instagram.

“He, she, them – whatever your pronouns may be. Everyone is welcome. Great job @themilajam.”

“Jams! Be bold, be you and let yourself get absolutely soaking wet!” Mila wrote on Instagram alongside a snippet from the video.

“Thank you @deezer for believing in me. Stream now on @deezer exclusively.”

She added in a statement: “It’s an honour to perform It’s Raining Them.

“For all artists in the LGBTQ+ community I believe the future is ours, it’s now, and we must shine.

“We haven’t always been in this position, so I think it’s important that we tell our stories and make some good out of it.

“I really hope this record helps more of my siblings feel included. We’ve always been here, we aren’t going anywhere, and we must continue to dance.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSnghKRDRC8/

Nigel Harding, VP of Artist Relations at Deezer said: “Trans and non-binary people have been marginalised throughout history, including within the LGBTQ+ movements.

“We want to do our part by giving the community a voice and a platform to be heard. We’re proud to support amazing artists and activists like Mila Jam.

“We will continue to celebrate Queer and LGBTQ+ music with our dedicated Queer Culture Channel and remain as an ally and a friend for the whole community.”