Love Is a Drag - For Adult Listeners Only (2025)

Love Is A Drag is a groundbreaking 1962 album featuring love songs sung by men, for men—a daring concept for its time. Originally released anonymously and shrouded in mystery, it featured jazz vocalist Gene Howard performing standards like “The Man I Love” and “Mad About The Boy”, traditionally sung by women. The music is stylish and sincere, not camp or parody.

Rediscovered by LGBT music historian JD Doyle, the album gained attention through his radio show. The mystery was finally solved when Hollywood photographer Murray Garrett revealed he produced the project with Howard and Edison International founder Jack Ames, releasing it secretly on Lace Records.

Backed by top Los Angeles session players, the album earned underground praise—even attracting celebrity fans like Frank Sinatra and Liberace. Now reissued, Love Is A Drag is recognized as a pioneering moment in LGBTQ+ music history and vocal jazz.

Tracklist:
1-1 Love Is a Drag - Lover Man [2:35]
1-2 Love Is a Drag - He's Funny That Way [3:40]
1-3 Love Is a Drag - My Man [2:30]
1-4 Love Is a Drag - Bewitched [3:08]
1-5 Love Is a Drag - Bill [2:54]
1-6 Love Is a Drag - The Boy Next Door [2:57]
1-7 Love Is a Drag - The Man I Love [3:57]
1-8 Love Is a Drag - Mad About The Boy [2:38]
1-9 Love Is a Drag - He's My Guy [4:14]
1-10 Love Is a Drag - Jim [3:03]
1-11 Love Is a Drag - Stranger In Paradise [2:14]
1-12 Love Is a Drag - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man [3:04]