the man who wrote "sissy that walk" with rupaul has died at 46. we'll be playing it loud today.

via Variety and E! News, with TMZ

If you have ever lip-synced "Sissy That Walk" in a kitchen, you owe Lucian Piane. He wrote it with RuPaul, along with "Cover Girl," "Jealous of My Boogie," "Born Naked," "Champion" and "Main Event," Variety reports. A good chunk of the soundtrack to every gay pregame of the last fifteen years has his fingerprints on it.

Piane died on Monday, Oct. 12, in Glendale, California, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records reported by TMZ, E! News and Variety. He was 46. Glendale police confirmed to E! that a pedestrian later identified as Piane was struck by a car after 4 a.m. Police said the collision is still being investigated and there were no indications of DUI after a field evaluation. A cause of death has not been confirmed.

the songs, and the show

He was there from the start of RuPaul's Drag Race, coaching queens through the musical challenges and sitting on the judges' panel in the early seasons, E! reports. Before that he worked on the music for Hairspray, whose soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy, according to both outlets. Every queen who ever had to sing live for the first time on that show, terrified, in heels, met him first.

the last year

Piane spoke publicly about his struggles with mental health and substance use, E! reports, and friends and fans had voiced concern about videos he posted online, according to Variety. In August he posted on Instagram: "Sober over a year and getting back in the game."

World of Wonder, the company behind Drag Race, said on Tuesday: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Lucian Piane. Lucian left behind a legacy of truly beautiful music. May his struggles never dim the memories of a sweet man, a dear friend, and a master musician." Michelle Visage wrote, "Such a beautiful soul, so talented…such a loss," per Variety. The journalist Larry Flick wrote that "Lucian was my friend. It wasn't always easy."

It wasn't, for a lot of people, and it was clearly hardest for him. The music was easy, though. Turn it up.