Ballad of the Sad Young Men

Um, Flack didn't write it. This song was originally written by Tommy Wolf and Fran Landesman for the 1959 musical, 'The Nervous Set.'

Here Dame Shirley Bassey performs it on television.

What makes you think it's about homophobia? The reference to girls trying to be "gay" is almost certainly using the older meaning of "gay," carefree and happy.

Bassey's version was the first time I heard this song. That doesn't blind me to the fact that this song is contemptuous of gay men. So condescending and maudlin. BUT Bassey sings the hell out of it. IMO, the reference to the girl is about a fag hag chasing a sad young gay man.

I always liked Rickie Lee Jones’ version.

I never really thought of the lyrics as either gay-centered or anti-gay.

I just hear a perspective on melancholy young men whose real sadness lies in the fact that they’re already growing old and even youth doesn’t bring them happiness.

Flack sang this when being gay could get you thrown in jail. I believe she was always vocal in support of gays

Roberta Flack said it was about gay men when she performed it in concert in the 70s